Stains, spills, and accidents are bound to happen to your carpet over the years. Some might be easier to clean than others, but here are some tips on how to remove common stains with stain remover you can make at home.

Wine,  Juice, and  Coffee

Wine and colorful drinks can be tricky to remove because of the vibrant colors they leave behind and the sugars that cling to carpet fibers.  These five simple steps can help you remove these kinds of spills:

  1. Gently blot the spill with a dry, clean towel. Avoid rubbing, as it will cause the liquid to spread and seep deeper into the carpet
  2.  In a spray bottle, combine 1 tablespoon dish soap, ¼ cup white vinegar, and 2 cups water.
  3.  Spray the stained area and let it soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
  4.  Blot the stain with a clean towel until it has been removed, repeat steps 3-4 as needed.
  5.  Finally, dry the spot with a clean towel.

Pet stains

With cute, cuddly pets comes the potty accidents in your home and on your carpet. If these kinds of stains aren’t dealt with immediately, they can cause damage to your carpet and lead to awful odors. Here is one way to get those pet stains out fast:

  1. Remove any debris and soak up any excess moisture with a dry towel. If the stain is dry, spray the spot with a pet stain cleaning product and let it soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
  2. Combine ¼ cup of vinegar with 4 cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the stain and allow it to soak for several minutes.
  3. Blot the area with a dry towel until the area is clean and odor-free.
  4. Dry the area with a fresh towel to remove any remaining moisture.

Mud

Pets, children, or guests are bound to track mud into your home and onto your carpet at some point. When these kinds of stains aren’t dealt with, they can spread dirt throughout your home. Follow these steps to get rid of mud and prevent a bigger mess:

  1.  Before going at it with a towel, let the mud dry. Thoroughly and carefully vacuum the area to remove the loose dirt and debris.
  2. In a shallow dish, combine one teaspoon of dish soap with one cup of lukewarm water.
  3. Use a clean towel, sponge, or soft brush to work the solution into the affected.
  4. Once the stain begins to lift, switch to a dry towel to begin removing the stain and moisture from the carpet. Continue to alternate between adding the solution and removing it until the stain is gone.

Chewing Gum

Chewing gum is all fun and bubbles until it ends up on your carpet. These steps can help you get that pesky gum out of your carpet:

  1.  If the gum is not ground deep into the carpet, apply an ice pack to the gum until it is frozen solid, about 5-10 minutes. 
  2.  With a butter knife or metal spatula, gently scrape the gum off the carpet with a sideways scraping motion.
  3. Combine 1 tablespoon dish soap, ¼ cup white vinegar, and 2 cups water in a spray bottle.
  4. Spray the affected area and gently scrub it with a towel until it is clean.
  5. Dry the area with a fresh towel.

Oily Stains

Oily stains can occur from an array of items, including foods, beauty products, and automotive liquids. Since there is a wide range of items that cause these unwanted oily stains, this is just one simple solution to most oil stains but it might not work for all:   

  1. Place a paper towel over the stain and apply pressure to remove the oil from the surface of the carpet.
  2. Dust the area with baking soda or corn starch to absorb excess oil. Scrub it into the carpet fibers with an old toothbrush. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum the area thoroughly.
  3. In a spray bottle or shallow dish, combine one teaspoon dish soap with four cups of warm water.
  4. Spray or blot the solution onto the oily area. Immediately blot the area with a dry towel or sponge, starting from the outside of the stain and working your way in. Continue to do so until the stain is removed.
  5. Dry the area with a fresh towel.

Ink and marker

Since ink stains are not all the same, there is no one simple solution for these kinds of stains. Here are a few chemicals that may help remove these tough stains. Be aware that these could cause discoloration to your existing carpet:

  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • Hairspray
  • Nail polish remover

Dampen a clean cloth with one of the above chemicals, then blot the stain. Be sure not to rub as it will spread the ink to more of the carpet. Do this until the stain is gone, then proceed to rinse the chemicals with a towel damp with water.  

The bottom line is that carpets are susceptible to tough stains that can be tricky to remove. If any of these tips and tricks don’t work as well as you’d like them to, pick up a carpet cleaning solution from your local grocery store that specifically targets the stain you are working on. 

If you find your carpet needs some extra TLC that you aren’t able to offer, feel free to reach out to us! We are the best carpet cleaning company in eastern Idaho and have the equipment and chemicals to remove tough stains and give your carpet a deep clean.

Experts suggest having your carpets professionally cleaned every six to 12 months to keep them in good shape and remove harmful debris.

Contact us today if you are looking for a reliable carpet cleaning company in the Idaho Falls area!