How To Get Those Pesky Carpet Stains Out?

Aberdeen Carpet Cleaning
6 min readJan 6, 2023

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If you have kids, a pet, or just live in a busy household, chances are that you’ve had to deal with carpet stains. While it’s usually easy enough to remove them with a little spot-cleaning and some stain remover, there are times when you need more than just soap and water. Here are five tips for how to get those pesky stains out of your carpet!

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Determine what caused the stain

Before you start to remove the stain, you need to figure out what caused it. Determine whether your carpet is made of natural fibers (cotton, wool) or synthetic fibers (polyester). If you’re unsure of what kind of fiber your carpet is made from, feel the strands between your fingers — the ones that are soft and not rough feel like synthetic fibers; the ones that are rougher and have a more rigid structure are natural materials.

Once you know what type of material was used in making your carpeting, check its manufacturer’s tag for care instructions. This should give guidance on how often to vacuum or clean with professional cleaning products as well as how to spot-clean stains yourself if they occur on occasion.

Get to know your carpet manufacturer

  • Get to know your carpet manufacturer and the stain remover they recommend.
  • Know the type of carpet you have, such as nylon or polyester.
  • Find out what type of stain you have: coffee, wine, paint etc. (Sometimes one type will work better than another.)
  • Look up online or ask a store clerk which stain remover will work best with your specific product and situation.

Blot don’t scrub

It’s important to blot, not scrub. Scrubbing can damage the carpet fibers making the stain more difficult to remove. Use a clean white cloth or sponge, preferably made of cotton, and press down firmly on the stain. If you have a particularly stubborn stain, you can use a clean cotton swab to remove it from crevices in your upholstery.

Use a clean cloth or sponge

If you do decide to scrub, make sure to use a clean cloth or sponge. In the case of wine and other food stains, this is absolutely essential. If you don’t have clean sponges on hand, don’t use your kitchen sponge; just buy one at the dollar store.

When it comes to removing carpet stains, scrubbing can be tricky because there are so many variables involved. For example: how hard should I scrub? How often should I change my tools? Do I need multiple tools for different kinds of cleaning jobs (like separate sponges for different kinds of stain removal)? In general, let me give you some guidelines for how often and how hard to scrub:

  • Change your tool frequently — at least every 30 seconds if possible
  • Don’t over-scrub any area more than once; ideally twice will suffice
  • Avoid making circular motions (this tends not only toward over-scrubbing but also toward creating heat)
  • Instead, move in a straight line from the top left corner down through the bottom right corner

Remove as much of the excess stain as possible

The first step in any stain removal process is to remove as much of the excess stain as possible. First, use a sponge or towel to soak up as much of the liquid as possible. Next, use a cloth or paper towel to blot the stain. This can help reduce its penetration into the carpet fibers.

DO NOT RUB OR SCRUB THE STAIN!

You will only make it worse by agitating it more than necessary; this can cause permanent damage to your carpet fibers and lead to an even darker coloration on those stains that are not completely removed at this point in time.

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If you are using a commercial cleaning product, let it sit for 5 minutes before blotting again with paper towels until no more fluid appear on them when they are squeezed out gently while still wet with cleaner solution (this may take several repetitions).

Then rinse each area thoroughly with clear water until no residual soapiness remains on its surface area — this includes using clean cloths/sponges/towels soaked in cold water. If necessary until all traces of suds have been eliminated from both sides of each piece being cleaned simultaneously (both sides should always be cleaned equally well when working one side at a time).

Work from the outside in

The first step to removing a stain is to remove as much of the excess stain as possible. Start by working from the outside in, starting with larger stains and working your way inward toward smaller ones. This will help you avoid spreading the stain further than necessary while still removing it effectively.

Once you’ve removed as much of the excess stain as possible, you can treat it with a cleaner to absorb any remaining liquid into its fibers. If using dry cleaning solvent or rubbing alcohol on carpeted surfaces, be sure not to spread them too thinly — they’ll need time for absorption!

Use a homemade carpet stain remover first

  • Homemade Carpet Stain Remover Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon dish soap (liquid or powder)
  • Mixing instructions: Pour the ingredients into a spray bottle or mister. Shake well before using your carpet stains.
  • Temperature to use: You can use this homemade carpet stain remover at room temperature or heat it up by placing the mixture in a microwave for 10 seconds before applying it to your carpet stains.
  • This will help break up any dirt that’s stuck inside of them better and work more quickly than just using the homemade solution at room temperature.

Use a commercial carpet cleaner only if other methods didn’t work

If none of the homemade methods for removing carpet stains worked for you, you can call clean carpet professionals. However, make sure to follow the instructions on the bottle carefully.

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Here are some steps you can try to remove stains from your carpet:

  1. Blot the stain with a clean, white cloth or paper towel to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Avoid rubbing the stain, as this can cause it to spread and become more difficult to remove.
  2. If the stain is fresh, you can try using a carpet cleaner or water to dilute it. Apply the cleaner or water to the stain, and then blot it with a clean cloth.
  3. For tougher stains, you may need to use a carpet stain remover. Follow the instructions on the product, and be sure to test it in an inconspicuous area before applying it to the stain.
  4. If the stain is still present after trying these steps, you may need to use a steam cleaner to lift it out of the carpet fibers.
  5. A stain is particularly stubborn or if you are unable to remove it, you may want to consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning service. They have specialized cleaning equipment and products that may be more effective at removing the stain.

Remember to act quickly when a stain occurs, as it is easier to remove a fresh stain than one that has been allowed to set in.

Conclusion

We hope this article has given you some helpful tips on how to get those carpet stains out. If you still have questions, ask a professional before trying any of these methods yourself!

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Aberdeen Carpet Cleaning
Aberdeen Carpet Cleaning

Written by Aberdeen Carpet Cleaning

Aberdeen is a professional carpet cleaning service provider in Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford, and near by areas.