Top 5 Carpet Stain Removal Mistakes

Carpet stain removal can be a challenge. To get the best results, avoid these top 5 carpet stain removal mistakes:

  1. Start spraying chemicals – Please DON’T do this! It is unnecessary if you act quickly in removing the stain.  Using a dry towel, tamp down and absorb as much of the stain first, or scoop or scrape up as much as you can.  Over loading stain with chemicals is a sure way to set stains and make them harder to remove. Only after you have done this should you introduce chemicals. Use measured amounts, being sure to rinse the chemicals out so if the stain persists, you are not mixing chemicals by trying different products together. Leaving chemical or soap residue will only attract dirt faster once the area is dry.
  2. Use heat on stain – The default should ALWAYS be to USE COOL WATER.
    carpet stain removal
    Carpet Stain Removal Mistakes

    Using heat on some stains, like dairy products, will set them. Certain stains will respond to warm or hot water but if you do not know what the stain is use cool water always.

  3. Scrubbing scrubbing scrubbing – BE GENTLE. When cleaning, we often scrub the back and forth action which works well when you are cleaning pots and pans, but it just doesn’t work for carpets. Most carpets have an underlay. The scrubbing and pushing action just pushes the stain deeper into the carpet and underlay.  You have to be thinking about how to lift the stain from the carpet. Vigorous scrubbing only makes it harder to remove.
  4. Leave stain 100% of the time, LEAVING THE STAIN UNTIL LATER WILL MAKE IT HARDER TO REMOVE. In the worst-case scenario, if you have to leave a spill on carpet, place a dry towel on top of a spill so some of it can soak into the towel. And only use a white or light colored towel to avoid any possible color transfer from the towel to the carpet. Leaving stain to dry will set the stain most of the time.
  5. Not pre-testing – When using any new cleaning chemicals, ALWAYS PRE-TEST in a small, inconspicuous area of carpet. You always want to be sure the cleaning chemicals won’t react with carpet and cause damage to the surface you are cleaning.

Check out this tip on how to clean urine from carpets.

IICRC Study Identifies Top Stains Of The Season

how to remove wine stain from carpet

how to remove wine stain from carpet

We all love the holidays; they give us a chance to let loose, relax and over indulge in all manner of food and drink without having to feel guilty about it. Unfortunately, with all that food and drink getting carried around, it’s pretty common for a fair amount of it to fall on the floor.

I know over the years I have been very popular at parties when a big spill happens. I quickly get called over and asked for my expertise in removing the offending red wine stain. Depending on the number of eggnogs the party goers have had, my performance can meet with ecstatic cheers or quiet indifference. Either way, I always get a call.

The holiday season is about decorations and spending time with loved ones. It is a tremendous amount of work to pull off a successful gathering.

As a professional cleaner, I understand that few people give the same amount of care to preparing for the cleaning part of the holidays. So whether you are reading this to get prepared or because an accident has already happened, let’s go over the most common holiday stains, and I will give you some tips to treat them.

Left untreated, these stains will leave a lasting reminder for years to come that is often unnecessary if you are prepared.

Continue reading “IICRC Study Identifies Top Stains Of The Season”

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