We might not be able to avoid stains on the carpet as they’re a part of our daily lives. What we can really do is clean them up as soon as we can. The best way to effectively remove stains is to know the substance that was spilt. This allows you to understand what type of stain it really is and how would it affect the carpet.
Upon understanding this, you’ll be able to remove it by employing the right method of cleaning. You can either get it cleaned yourself or call one of the best professional cleaners. To understand what are the three types of carpet stains, read on:
1. Water-soluble stains
These are the stains that can be easily removed from the carpet. The best way to get them removed is to clean them while they’re fresh. After the removal of solid particles, use a small quantity of water to clean a water-soluble stain. You must use a clean, white towel to gently work from the outside edges, gradually moving towards the centre.
If the stain is not fresh, put a small quantity of mild hand dish soap in the water. Use this mixture for cleaning. Once the stain is removed, the soap must be rinsed out with clean water. Some of the examples of water-soluble stains are alcoholic beverages, soda, and fruit juice. There are certain water-soluble stains that are protein-based, which makes it difficult to clean them.
Such stains must be treated immediately with cold water. If this doesn’t work, use water and dish soap to remove them. This is useful for cleaning woollen carpets. Mix a tablespoon of ammonia with water to clean stains on non-woollen carpets. For cleaning white carpets, you can use hydrogen peroxide.
2. Oil-based stains
Stains that are fat or oil-based can be quite difficult to remove from carpets. This is because oils and fats stick naturally to other fats and oils. Examples of oil-based stains include salad dressing, grease, and petroleum jelly. If your carpet is made from synthetic fibre, such stains will hold on to the petroleum in your carpet.
Some of the carpet manufacturers are aware of the difficulties in removing stains from synthetic carpets. This is why they add coatings and treatments to the carpet to help clean such stains. If your carpet has such a coating or treatment, use a solution containing water and mild dish soap.
For carpets that don’t have such treatment or coating, use one of the certified dry carpet cleaners. When using the dry cleaning solution, blot it on the stain on the carpet. Then, blot it with water to clean the substance on the carpet.
3. Gum or wax
If wax or gum has fallen on your carpet, you’d want to prevent it from getting into the fibres. Attempting to peel them off can damage your carpet to a great extent. The best way to remove gum or wax is by using some ice. It must be covered with ice and allowed to freeze.
This can take approximately 20 minutes or even longer. Once the wax or gum is frozen, start pulling the substance patiently from the carpet. Always remember to begin on the outer edges.