Cleaning a disgusting carpet stain can be incredibly frustrating. Fortunately, these cleaning tips for carpet from a top Wisconsin carpet cleaning service (who’ve cleaned a stain or two or thousands) are a sure-fire way to prevent and rid your carpet of those gross carpet stains.
Tips for preventing carpet stains
The best way to keep your carpets clean is to prevent them.
As with most household messes, the easiest way to avoid cleaning carpet stains is to stop them from happening. Rugs should be placed by all doors and in commonly used areas, such as hallways and dining areas, to prevent carpet stains. This simple step can keep dirt and debris from being tracked into carpeted areas. (Directions for removing mud on any kind of floor can be found here.) Area rugs can catch spills before they hit hard surfaces under tables and in mudrooms.
A regular vacuuming is essential.
This carpet cleaning tip is an essential part of ensuring that carpets don’t fall into the “disgusting” category. Regular vacuuming removes pet dander, dirt, and allergens that get trapped in carpet fibers. Regular vacuuming, along with an annual carpet cleaning, keeps carpets clean and reduces the amount of allergens in the home.
Tips for cleaning carpet stains
Never wait to tackle a stain.
It’s important to clean carpet stains and pet accidents as soon as possible after they happen. If carpet spills are a constant threat (like in a playroom), keep carpet cleaning supplies (i.e. carpet cleaners, paper towels or rags, etc.) in a cabinet or closet close by.
Remove the source of the stain before cleaning.
Spills happen! When they do, it’s imperative to have the number of a good carpet cleaning service on hand (like the customer who spilled paint on a brand-new area rug). If the spill is a smaller, do-it-yourself project, try to sop up as much of the fluid before cleaning or applying any carpet cleaner.
ALWAYS test a carpet cleaner (even a natural solution of household products) before using it in main areas.
Any product—-natural, household, or store-bought—can fade or discolor carpet fibers. Before applying any product (even household products!), always test the product in an area where guests don’t frequent. The testing area could be in a closet, under furniture, or under a cabinet. If your carpet is brand new, always use products recommended by the manufacturer to avoid voiding the warranty.
Don’t scrub a stain.
When a carpet is stained, it’s a natural instinct to scrub at the stain as hard as possible to get it out. Scrubbing may be completely understandable, but it’s not best for the carpet. Hard scrubbing can actually damage carpet fibers. Instead of scrubbing, always blot at carpet during carpet cleaning.
Deep clean carpets on a regular basis.
This list of cleaning tips for carpet wouldn’t be complete without deep cleaning. Deep cleaning is an essential part of keeping carpets looking like new and removing allergens that are trapped in the carpet fibers. In a busy household with pets and kids, contact a carpet cleaning service to get carpets cleaned every 6-12 months. In quieter households, the Carpet and Rug Institute recommends a carpet cleaning every 12-18 months.
How to remove mud
1. Allow mud to dry.
2. Vacuum the mud. (This step should remove as much mud as possible.)
3. Test a carpet cleaning product on a hidden area to ensure that it does not discolor or damage carpet. (Contact a local flooring store for carpet cleaning recommendations.)
4. Apply the carpet cleaner to the mud.
5. Blot at the carpet until the mud is removed and the carpet is dry.
6. Schedule a carpet cleaning every year to remove dirt and other debris deep in the carpet.
How to clean a pet accident
1. Remove as much of the fluid or solid as possible.
2. Do not use a steam cleaner!
3. Test a carpet cleaning product on a hidden area to ensure that it does not discolor or damage carpet. (Contact a local flooring store for carpet cleaning recommendations.)
4. Apply the carpet cleaner and carefully blot at the stain to remove it.
5. Neutralize the odor. (This can be done with a mixture of water and vinegar or another odor neutralizing product.)
6. Schedule a regular carpet cleaning.
How to remove gum
1. Apply ice to the gum to harden it.
2. Gently remove the gum.
3. If there is any residue or staining from the gum, test a carpet cleaning product on a hidden area to ensure that it does not discolor or damage carpet. (Contact a local flooring store for carpet cleaning recommendations.)
4. Apply the carpet cleaner and carefully blot at the stain to remove it.
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