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Carpets can easily get stained from spills, dirt, pet accidents, and regular wear and tear. Getting carpet stains out quickly is key before they have time to set in and become permanent. With the right carpet cleaning solutions and techniques, you can learn how to remove both old and new stains from your carpets.

Prepare to Clean the Stain

When you first notice a carpet stain, start by blotting up excess liquid immediately with clean, white paper towels or a cloth. Don't rub the stain, which can grind it deeper into the carpet fibers. Carefully scrape up any solid debris. Pretreat stains sparingly with a stain remover, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, or dish detergent mixed with water. Test an inconspicuous area first to check for carpet color fastness.

Allow your pretreatment or homemade cleaner to dwell on the stain for the recommended amount of time listed on the packaging. This gives the active ingredients time to break down the stain. Place an absorbent white cloth or weighted paper towels over the pretreatment to draw out more stain over time.

How to Remove Food and Drink Stains

Sugary spills like juice, wine, soft drinks, ice cream, ketchup, or tea can leave stubborn sticky stains in carpet. Avoid rubbing these types of stains, which could permanently damage and distort carpet fibers. Use a dull knife or spoon to gently lift off any excess soil. Lightly dab stains with a cloth soaked in warm sudsy water to lift out stain residue without rough scrubbing. Rinse the area with clean water and allow carpet to fully air dry.

For older or deeper food-related stains, apply a few drops of ammonia followed by hydrogen peroxide. Gently blot treated area with a clean white cloth, turning frequently to avoid spreading around dirt and grime. Rinse carpeting thoroughly with water and allow it to completely dry before vacuuming up any remaining particles. This should lift out almost all types of food and drink stains.

How to Remove Oil and Grease Spills

Oily stains are some of the trickiest to eliminate from carpet. First, blot up as much grease as possible immediately after a spill occurs. Avoid scrubbing aggressively or you may end up simply spreading the oil stain further across your carpeting.

Sprinkle the stained area lightly with some baking soda or corn starch then let sit for 10-15 minutes to absorb lingering traces of oil and lift stains from the carpet. Use an old toothbrush or small paintbrush to gently work the powder into matted carpet fibers. Allow to dwell overnight if heavily soiled. Thoroughly vacuum up the next day.

For older, set-in grease stains on low pile commercial-type carpeting, try gently dabbing with a small amount of dry-cleaning fluid applied to a white cloth. Test first for colorfastness and results. Rinse area thoroughly with water to remove all solvent residue. Blot carpeting dry with layers of white paper towels weighed down with books or ceramic tiles. Avoid over-wetting the carpet backing for best results.

How to Remove Ink, Crayon, or Marker Stains

Indelible marker, pen, crayon, or stamp pad ink stains can leave vivid results in light colored carpeting that proves tricky to take out. But removing ink stains from carpet doesn't have to be an impossible task.

For large stains, carefully work in some full-strength rubbing alcohol using a small paintbrush or toothbrush. Continue gently brushing from stain edges in towards the center to prevent spreading. Rinse the area well with clean water then blot excess moisture with absorbent white paper towels or cloths.

For more localized ink spots, try applying some hair spray directly on the stain. Let set for 5-10 minutes then rub gently with a damp cloth and rinse with water. The hair spray acts as a mild solvent while helping lift stubborn stains off carpet fibers.

How to Remove Pet Urine Stains and Odors

Lingering pet urine stains and odors in carpet can really put a damper on your indoor air quality. To clean pet stains effectively, you'll need an enzyme cleaner formulated specifically to fully break down the uric acid salts contained in urine. This neutralizes stubborn odors at the source rather than simply masking smells temporarily.

Liberally spray enzyme cleaner directly on stained or smelly areas then let soak in for 30 minutes or more. Use an old towel to gently blot excess moisture then rinse with clean water. Allow carpet to fully air dry to prevent future mildew smells from developing.

For older, heavier stains, you may need to reapply cleaner and let soak in repeatedly for best results. Follow by sprinkling on some baking soda once carpet dries. The baking soda will continue absorbing stray odors for several more hours before vacuuming up.

This should restore even urine-soaked carpeting back to a fresher, cleaner smelling state. Going forward, clean accident-prone areas right away to minimize future staining.

Steam Clean for a Deep Cleaning

For an intensive carpet cleaning session that removes embedded dirt, stains, allergens, and bacteria, rent or hire a professional grade steam cleaning unit. Fill with very hot water and a commercial grade detergent solution as directed then get to work. Carefully inject, extract, then vacuum up excess water for best ongoing results.

Always ensure the carpet dries completely within 6-12 hours before walking over freshly cleaned areas. Place fans directed above carpet or run your home air conditioning extra cold to assist moisture removal as needed. This prevents future mold or bacteria overgrowth issues.

Getting out carpet stains quickly with the right methods makes restoring dingy, damaged area rug or wall to wall carpeting possible. Avoid obsolete old wives tales home remedies and stick to modern enzyme cleaners, solvents, powders and steam cleaning strategies for keeping your carpets looking great. Consistent cleaning and maintenance are key for maintaining the value, appearance, and longevity of high foot traffic carpet areas in homes or commercial locations.

When your carpets are too worn out, you should consider replacing them with new ones. We give you instant access to £600 credit for new carpets at Pay As You Go Carpets. Break repayment into budget-friendly £10 weekly increments.