Lifting Bamboo Stains from a Rug or Carpet

Bamboo is known for its quick growth, easy maintenance and verdant green colors, but when you get right down to it, bamboo is a grass and just like grass it can leave stains on your carpet. The bright green color that you admired so much in the planting on your coffee table doesn't look as good on your antique rug or white carpet.

Because bamboo stains are organic, the best means for removing the stains is also organic; digestive enzymes are your solution. It may be surprising to learn that digestive enzymes are one of the best ways to clean up those green streaks, but it makes sense. The enzymes that nature designed to break down organic matter in your digestive system will do the same thing to the plant material decorating your carpet. Here's how you get them to work for you:

1. Choose your product. Digestive Enzymes are readily available in most health food stores, grocery stores or on line. If available, choose a product that comes in caplet form. Capsules can also be used, but you will need to break them into a powder first.
2. Mix with water. In a small bowl, break open several caplets. You can judge how many you need by the size of your stain. A larger stain will require more caplets, so make sure you have enough enzyme powder to cover the stain. Mix enzyme powder with enough water to make a thick paste.
3. Apply paste to stain. Make sure that the stain is completely covered by the paste and allow the area to sit undisturbed for about an hour.
4. Remove paste. Do this by first wiping up paste with a paper towel and then by rinsing the area with clean water. When you rinse the area with water, make sure that all of the paste residue is removed, or it may attract dirt later on. Blot up excess water with a cloth or paper towel.
5. 5. Allow treated area to air dry. Cool air circulation is the best and easiest way to dry your carpet. It is free and requires no effort from you; just make sure that the area is completely dry before allowing traffic.

Every carpet or rug is different due to material type, dying techniques, age and other factors, so any time you do try a new cleaning method, always check for color fastness. Find an inconspicuous spot to apply a small amount of the paste before you use it on your stain.