There are many different residential carpet cleaning companies in San Diego, but as a homeowner, your first impulse would be to DIY. Most of the people would jump into a fit of scrubbing to get rid of the stain right away. However, this will damage the fibers of the carpet. Moreover, it may not sound a good idea to call a carpet cleaner for help every time there is a mess on your carpet.
So, we though to put together a guide on some DIY tips that you can use to get rid of unwanted stains on your carpet and keep it from turning dirty.
Basic Carpet Cleaning Formula
Have you notice how the professional carpet cleaning expert at Smart Dry Restoration go about making your carpet brand new? We never scrub it. All we do is wet and dry the carpet using different carpet solutions. When removing the stains from the carpet, you have to work on small portion of the carpet. This way you don’t need the entire carpet cleaning machinery. Not to mention that the method for cleaning the stain will still remain the same.
The basic formula used for cleaning all kinds of stains, whether coffee, ketchup or chocolate, is to start form the top and go towards the bottom of the carpet. This is exactly what all carpet cleaning companies do. In case you scrub off the stain, it will become harder to remove. So, to get rid of the stain, wet the spot using a cleaning solution and dab it dry with a white cloth or a sponge. After that, wet and blot again and again until completely removed.
Cleaning Solutions for Different Types of Carpet Stains
Before you even try wetting the stained area with a cleaning solution, be sure about two things – the type of stain and the type of carpet. Carpets usually have silk, synthetic fibers and thread or wool. Mostly theses are colored via different methods. A cleaning solution might cause discoloration and ruin the beauty of your carpet. It is always a good idea to test the solution on some inconspicuous space on your carpet and see the reaction of it. Make sure that you seek professional advice from a good carpet cleaning company if you have any doubts.
Easily Soluble Stains
Alcohol (except wine), food colors, gravy, jelly, ice cream, milk, mud, ink and fruit juices get easily dissolved by water. You don’t need to seek a professional carpet cleaning help for these minor stains. All you need is a solution of non-bleach detergent and water. You should prepare the solution by tossing one tablespoon of Tide of white vinegar into a jug of water and then pour it into a spray bottle. Finally, spray the solution on the stained area until it is fully soaked. Then pat hard using a dry sponge or clean it using a white cloth. Repeat the process several times until the stain is gone.
Hard to Dissolve Stains
Chocolate, coffee, tea, mustard, blood, vomit stains and wine are not easily dissolved by water. For this, you need a solution of 1 tablespoon of ammonia along with a cup of water to remove these stubborn stains. You have to be very careful doing this as the ammonia solution should not be used on woolen rugs and carpet, because it will bleach the color. You may as well use chlorine-water solution in ration 1:5, but only if the carpet is solution dyed. In case you are not certain about the type of carpet that you have, you should call the manufacturer or seek professional help for cleaning.
Oil & Grease Stains
Butter, cheese, cooking oil, nail polish, shoe polish and other similar substances are also not easily dissolved by water-based solutions. For these stubborn stains, you will need oil solvent solution. For example, a nail polish remover. However, be very careful when using chemicals, as they can damage the carpet and cause harm to you as well. Never use a spray bottle for applying the solvent. Instead, try applying a small amount directly on the affected area with the help of a white cloth. Use the solvent in combination with lukewarm water. This will help pull out the toughest stains. In case of cooking oil or butter stains, start by placing a paper-towel, and gradually rub the area. The stain will lighten and completely remove after repeated attempts. You can also call a professional carpet cleaning company like Smart Dry Restoration to get rid of any type of carpet stains.
Getting Rid Of Other Stains
There are several other nasty substances and stains that can ruin the beauty of your carpet. This includes stains from cigarettes and chewing gum. In case of cigarettes stubs, simply scrap off the burnt fiber top using a blunt knife and for chewing-gum, first, freeze the gum by placing an ice cube over it or ice-filled metal container. Once it is brittle, use a spoon handle to uproot it from the fibers. Finally, clean the residue using lukewarm water and a solvent.
Using these simply DIY methods, you can get rid of majority of the stains on your carpet. Even if they don’t remove completely, they will still fade away and would be hardly noticeable. Make sure that you never use any hard chemicals or thinner on the carpet. It can result in some irreversible damage. If you are unsure about any particular stain on your carpet, always get in touch with a professional carpet cleaning company in San Diego. Not to mention that OSHA considers DIY carpet cleaning methods are a source of indoor pollution.
Let us know if this article helped you in removing stains from your carpet. If you need professional carpet cleaning service, feel free to give us a call and get a free of cost estimate.
