4 Annoying Carpet Stains and How to Clean Them Off

They are probably the most annoying 4 of the bunch. Common household items that, when they get on the wrong surface (in this case, our carpets), they hold on and never want to let go. No matter how hard you scrub, these culprits prove very resilient. Annoying carpet stains can be tough to remove, often requiring special cleaning solutions or professional help to fully eliminate.

Gum, lipsticks, shoe and nail polish!

To the ill-advised, they make carpet and home cleaning unnecessarily complicated. But that is about to be a thing of the past. Today we give you insights into the proper cleaning of tough gum, lipsticks, shoes, and nail polish stains. Annoying carpet stains can be frustrating to deal with, but with the right techniques, they can be removed effectively. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Gum

Gums are really fun, in the mouth. But when they get on surfaces, well, you know it. They can be a real pain. Gums getting on surfaces sometime can’t be avoided especially if you have kids in your home. Other times it could just be adults who accidentally lose control of their mouths and let gum out. Sometimes gum can fall out of a trash can and get pressed into furniture or flooring, causing annoying carpet stains. Next time gum shows up somewhere it doesn’t belong, try these methods:

• Ensure the gum is dried and hardened by using a can of compressed air or ice or an ice pack (be sure to keep moisture from ice away from the gum). Take a dull scraper to scrape up and lift off the gum. This can work on carpets as well, just be extra careful to avoid damage to the carpet fibers. Vacuum the area and wash with warm soapy water.
• Apply extra strength duct tape to the gum and quickly lift the tape, repeat until the gum is removed.
• Using a microfiber cloth, apply a product like Goo-Gone. Use circular motions and pressure to loosen the gum.

Lipstick Stains

Lipsticks look unbelievably good on the lips – female lips I might add – but not so much on carpets and household furniture. With the way lipsticks are made to stick to the lips for long periods of time, you can see how that will be a problem when it gets on wooden surfaces.

Lipstick from a napkin, a glass tipping onto the carpet, or simply falling asleep on your sofa before removing your makeup can leave embarrassing red marks. These are some of the most annoying carpet stains to deal with. Follow these tips to restore your carpet or furniture to its pre-kissed glory.

• If the lipstick has not dried, apply toothpaste to the area to help remove the stain.
• If the lipstick has dried, use a plastic knife or a scraper to remove as much as possible.
• Soak a cloth in ammonia and gently blot at the stain. Remove ammonia from the surface with a clean cloth which has been soaked in water.
• Spray hairspray onto the stain, let sit for roughly 5 minutes and wipe down the area with a dry, clean cloth.

Unfortunately, lipstick is a very stubborn thing to remove, but Accents in Cleaning can help you remove any and all stains.

Shoe/Nail Polish

Shoe polish can make work boots and dress shoes look amazing. Whether you have a housemate who is in the military or someone who just likes polished shoes, somewhere in your house is bound to end up with a little-spilled shoe polish. These spills can lead to annoying carpet stains, making it crucial to clean them up quickly to avoid long-term damage to your carpet.

• Scrape away as much as possible (without damaging the carpet or upholstery) with a scraper or knife.
• Apply dry-cleaning fluid in a blotting fashion to the stain. Followed by a mixture of ammonia and dish soap applied with a clean paper towel (keeping the clean side on the stain at all times to reduce spreading). Rinse with cool water and blot with a clean, dry towel until dry.
• Use acetone nail polish remover. That stuff will remove just about anything!
• Mix a non-bleach laundry detergent with cold water and apply directly to the carpet and scrum.
• Combine water and ammonia, and scrub the carpet with a clean rag. Rinse with warm water and blot or vacuum dry.

Though a cliche, it’s important to note that with these stains, a stitch in time saves nine. You want to attack these stains while they’re still young – catch them young, sort of. You’ll save on costs of detergents and time just by simply following these tips.

Carpet Cleaning Services

We Service Concord CA, Lafayette CA, Benicia CA, Martinez CA, Pleasant Hill CA, Walnut Creek CA, Hercules CA and nearby cities. Contact us at 925-565-9255.