4 Products Around The Home That Make Excellent Carpet Stain Removers
When you spill something on the carpet, it's important to clean it up as soon as possible. Going to the store to buy carpet cleaner takes time. By the time you get home to use it, the stain will have soaked in and will be even harder to remove. For this reason, it's often best to just use something around the home and clean the spill up immediately rather than run to the store for a specialized carpet cleaner. Here are four products you likely already have at home that will work when you don't have carpet cleaner.
Shaving Cream
Shaving cream is a good choice when something thick, like jam or honey, has been spilled on the carpet. It will help loosen the spill from the carpet fibers so you have an easier time soaking it up. Remove as much of the spilled material as possible, using a clean and dry cloth, and then apply a generous amount of shaving cream. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, and then blot it up. Repeat if needed.
White Vinegar
Vinegar is great for removing spills that are not particularly dark colored, but that are smelly. This includes pet stains, meat juices, and other food spills. Mix the vinegar with an equal part water. After you've soaked up as much of the staining material as possible, pour on a generous amount of the vinegar mixture. Make sure the carpet is completely saturated. Then, soak up the vinegar. The spilled material will come up with it, and the acid will neutralize the odor in any spilled material that does remain in the carpet.
Dish Soap
If the spilled material is greasy, reach for the dish soap. Soak up as much spilled material as possible, and then blot the area with a sponge dipped in a soapy water solution. Try to blot rather than rub. If you rub the area, you risk driving the stain deeper into the carpet fibers. Finish by blotting the area with a clean, wet sponge (soaked in plain water).
Baking Soda
Baking soda is not the best cleaning solution on its own, but it is a good one to follow up with after using one of the other items on this list. Sprinkle it over the damp spot, and let it sit for a day. It will help draw any lingering moisture out of the carpet. Vacuum it up once it feels dry to the touch. If you need a professional to clean something for you, visit Kathy's Quality Cleaning, Inc.