No matter how careful you might be, at some point something will spill on your carpet. If that spill isn’t cleaned up quickly, it can become a permanent stain.
In this article, we will discuss the three most common types of carpet stains, and provide DIY methods on how to remove them.
1. Water-based Stains:
Water soluble carpet stains can be anything from spills from drinks like coffee or soda to trickier stains like urine. One of the more common water soluble stains are pet stains. To remove these pesky stains, it’s important that you immediately blot the area with a clean, white towel or paper towel to absorb as much of the liquid as possible out of the carpet fibers and carpet pad.
Next, mix a quarter teaspoon of white vinegar and 32 ounces of cold water. Apply this solution to the carpet stain with a spray bottle. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot dry from the outside edges of the stain to the center of the stain.
Another common type of water-based stains are red wine stains. These types of carpet stains are possible to remove with the right carpet cleaning method. First, you’ll want to mix a solution of one cup to two cups of warm to hot water with one eighth of a teaspoon of mild dishwashing detergent. With a clean but old towel, blot the affected area from the outer edges of the stain to the middle until worked in. Finish the process by adding cold water to a clean towel and blot dry.
If you are having trouble removing water-based stains at home, the next best step would be to call a professional stain removal service. Once dry, these stains can be very difficult to remove at home with DIY methods.
2. Oil-based Stains:
Oil-based stains are non-water-soluble stains and can include makeup, grease, oil, and other fats. To remove these stains, first scrape up any solid pieces, then blot the area with a clean, white towel or paper towel to absorb as much of the liquid as possible.
Next, apply a generous amount of talcum powder, baking soda, or cornstarch to the stain and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. After 15-20 minutes has passed, vacuum the area to remove the powder.
To remove any remaining oils from the carpet fibers you can additionally blot the area with a clean cloth dipped in warm water or rubbing alcohol.
3. Protein-based Stains:
Protein-based stains are water soluble stains and include things like blood, vomit, or other bodily fluids. To remove these stains, first scrape up any solid pieces.
Then, you’ll want to mix one part hydrogen peroxide with one part water and apply the solution to the stain with a spray bottle. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot gently working in the solution into the carpet from the outermost edge of the stain to the center. You will want to blot the carpet dry.
If you happen to have blood stains that are hard to remove with the above method, you can try mixing a cold water solution with a non bleach detergent to the blood stains and blot dry from the outer edges to the center of the stain.
You can also try using store bought enzymatic cleaning solutions specifically designed to remove protein-based stains which are also very effective at removing pet stains.
Hiring a Professional in Virginia Beach, VA for Carpet Stain Removal
If you have any tough stains that you can’t seem to remove, you can always contact a professional carpet cleaning company in Virginia Beach to remove rug, carpet, or upholstery stains. At Carpet Cleaning of Virginia Beach, we have the experience and knowledge to remove any type of stain from your carpets, rugs or upholstery. We understand that accidents happen, which is why we offer professional stain removal services to help Virginia Beach homeowners keep their home looking its best.
So whether you have a water-based, oil-based, or protein-based stain, we know how to remove it. We also offer a wide range of other carpet cleaning services, so you can rest assured that your carpets will be cleaned thoroughly and efficiently. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to serving you!