Remove Carpet Stains

In your home, messes are pretty much inevitable. No matter how hard you try to avoid spills, they are bound to happen once in a while. Whatever kind of flooring you have, you are probably worried about potential spills and stains.

Although carpet is a comfortable type of flooring, it is unfortunately prone to stains. Unlike hard floors where many messes can be wiped up, a spill on a carpet can take some serious work to remove. On top of that, trying the wrong method of removing the stain can make the problem even worse than it was in the first place.

If you have carpet, you should know the best ways to clean up stains that may show up. Of course, each type of carpeting may have specific cleaning rules that will be most effective. If you aren't sure, look at the manufacturer's cleaning instructions for help.

In general, there are some tricks and tips that will work on many kinds of carpet and stains. Next time you are faced with a carpet stain, consider these ideas:

• Start by blotting the stained area to remove any of the spill that you can from the carpet. Do not wipe at the stain, since this will probably just spread it around and make the problem worse.
• Using commercial carpet cleaner, spray the stain according to the product's directions. Use a rag, paper towel, or sponge to lift away the stain with the help of the cleaner. You may need to rinse the area with water afterwards.
• Are you interested in a natural way to remove carpet stains? Using a mixture that is one part water and one part vinegar, spray the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Lift the stain with a sponge, then rinse the area. Cover the spot with a paper towel, place a flat, heavy object on top, and let dry. This will help soak up the remaining stain.
• Before using any cleaner on the stain, apply a small amount to a hidden area of the carpet. Check back to see if it has caused any damage or discoloration to your carpet. This test allows you to see how the cleaner will affect your carpet before you use it on a larger area to clean a stain.

Some stains will be impossible to remove on your own. In this case, you may want to call a professional carpet cleaner to work on the spot.