Every other bite of food you or your company take seems to wind up on the
carpet? Trip and drop your glass of soda all over the place, creating a
disaster? Here are a few hints to dissolve these and other disastrous spots and
staining from your carpet.
Most Important
First and foremost, every time you or a guest enters the house, it is best
to take off your shoes. Shoes pick up everything from the day, including dirt,
gum, grime, oils and other substances which can lead a permanent trail of spots
on the carpet. Try to wear socks or slippers as well. The oil coming from your
skin may affect the carpet.
Coffee and Other Beverages
If you spill coffee, wine or another substance, the first thing to do is
blot the area with cold water and a cloth, lifting the stain from the fibers.
Only blot and dab--DO NOT rub the stain into the carpet or rug with your cloth,
as this will destroy the fibers. If the stain has been removed and after the
area has dried, vacuum to lift the fibers. Break cleaner may also be a good solution
for removing food stains. First, put a small amount on the cloth and gently
blot the area. Do not pour the solution directly on the carpet! This may weaken
and break the fibers. Next, rinse the break cleaner with warm soap and water
mixture. Let dry. Vacuum to lift the fibers.
Club Soda can be used to remove red stains, such as wine, Kool-Aid, and
juices. Simply blot the area, and let dry, and then vacuum. Again, do not rub
the soda into the carpet.
Pet Food and Drink Mixes
Stains that have come from spilled pet food and drink mixes may be easily
removed with peroxide and water solution. Because peroxide is a bleach, first
check to make sure that the carpet color will not come out. Do a small test,
and dab a small amount of carpet with the peroxide and water solution. Note if
the color fades or changes in any manner. Doing this will prevent a permanent
bleached out spot of carpet in the future. Apply the mixture and wait for 20-30
minutes. Remove as much as the mixture as you can, lifting the fibers with a
clean cloth. If the stain persists, continue to add more peroxide into the
water, until the stain fades. Retreat if necessary. Vacuum.