Oops! Whether it be grape juice, a little present from Fido, or finger-paint artwork from your three year old, it seems whatever is not supposed to get on the carpet always does.
What You Should Know Before You Start Trying To Remove A Stain:
To remove a stain, simply blot the spot and dry working from the outside in, rinse thoroughly with clean water, then blot again. Never scrub the carpet, or you risk ruining the carpet fibers or letting the spill soak through to the carpet pad.
For certain water soluble stains, such as wine,mustard, vomit, or blood, you can try mixing one tablespoon of ammonia mixed with one cup of water, but NEVER use this on wool or wool-blend carpet. instead, use mild detergent and water.
Wax and Gum:
Use ice to freeze the wax or gum, then shatter it with a blunt object, such as a spoon. Vacuum before the pieces soften, and blot the carpet with a white towel.
Urine:
Absorb as much as possible with white towels, then blot with a damp, cool cloth. Next, spray or blot with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water. Finally, apply a solution of 1/2 teaspoon of clear, mild, nonbleach detergent mixed with 32 ounces of water, rinse, and blot.
Ongoing Maintenance:
Even if you don’t have any mishaps, you should always have your carpet thoroughly cleaned every 12 to 18 months.
Make sure to let the carpet completely dry before putting furniture back on top. Otherwise you run the risk of damaging your furniture or wooden furniture legs discoloring the carpet.