How to Remove Stubborn Carpet Stains
Written by Devin. Posted in Carpet Cleaning Services
Your carpet doesn’t have to be a reflection of all it’s been through. Gum, lipstick, shoe polish, etc., it’s unavoidable to have this in your home. And those instances when accidents occur, they could stain your carpet. Fortunately, there are effective ways to remove stubborn carpet stains and restore your carpet’s fresh look.
If you have ever tried cleaning one of such stains, you will know that it is challenging. But don’t worry – we’re here to tell you that it’s possible to remove stubborn carpet stains and restore your carpet to perfection. And we will show you how. One step at a time.
1. Gum
Sometimes kids put gum on furniture. Sometimes adults accidentally lose control of their mouth and gum falls out. Sometimes gum can fall out of a trash can and get pressed into furniture or flooring. If you need to remove stubborn carpet stains caused by gum, 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.
2. Lipstick
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. To effectively remove stubborn carpet stains like lipstick, blot the area with a clean cloth and apply a carpet-safe cleaning solution. 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.
3. Shoe 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. When this happens, it’s important to act quickly and use the right techniques to remove stubborn carpet stains before they set in.
- 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.
If none of these methods work or you don’t want to clean the stains yourself, call us at Accents in Cleaning and we’ll get your floors and furniture looking good as new! Whether you need help to remove stubborn carpet stains or have other cleaning needs, our trained professionals will leave you 100% satisfied, guaranteed! Check in next week for more stain removal tips.
4. Nail Polish
- As soon as the spill occurs, grab a cloth or paper towel and blot the stain, do not rub. Rubbing is likely to just push the nail polish into the fibers of the carpet or upholstery. Work from the outside in to prevent spreading the stain. Remove as much as you can without cleaning products before continuing.
- Be aware of how specific cleaning products will affect your carpet. Some cleaners can cause discoloration or texture change. Test products on areas unseen before testing it on the nail polish stain.
- Try non-acetone nail polish remover. Avoid acetone-based removers since the chemical can damage the carpet or upholstery. With dark carpets and fibers, try rubbing alcohol or hairspray. Apply to a rag and blot. Carpet cleaners and Windex are safe options as well if other methods do not work.
- If there is a strong smell of nail polish, remover, or cleaner, using a mix of dishwashing detergent and warm water can prove effective. Rinse with clean water and dab dry.
- If none of these work, contact us at Accents In Cleaning.
5. Ice Cream
I scream, you scream, we all scream when ice cream spills in our home.
- The faster the spill can be cleaned, the better. Melting is the enemy. Remove the frozen portions without pressing the ice cream into the fibers. Use a clean towel and roll it in a reverse motion, moving forward into the spill to pull the substance out of the carpet.
- Combine dish soap and water and spray/apply to the spill, dab at it with a clean towel. Repeat as needed. Rinse with water.
With any spill, time is key. The sooner something can be removed, the less likely it is to stain and ruin furniture or carpets. Keeping a wet/dry vacuum can be helpful, but so is knowledge of a good carpet cleaning company.
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We are more than happy to give you these tips so you can save your money for your full home or room cleaning instead of renting carpet cleaning machines from the grocery store at insane prices. Plus, these tips can help you remove stubborn carpet stains without the hassle of expensive rentals!
Nail polish remover, hair spray, dish detergent, and wet-dry vas are amazingly useful to keep around and we highly recommend it.
For all of your deep cleaning needs, contact us to keep your home surfaces looking amazing, we guarantee your satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to remove stubborn carpet stains?
The best way to remove stubborn carpet stains depends on the type of stain. For gum, freeze it and scrape it off. For lipstick, blot with ammonia or hairspray. Shoe polish can be removed with dry-cleaning fluid, and nail polish responds well to non-acetone remover. Acting quickly and using the right method is key.
Can I remove stubborn carpet stains using household items?
Yes! You can remove stubborn carpet stains with household items like dish soap, ammonia, nail polish remover (non-acetone), hairspray, or even toothpaste for certain stains. Always test a small area first to prevent carpet damage.
How do I remove stubborn carpet stains from gum?
To remove stubborn carpet stains caused by gum, harden the gum with ice or compressed air, then gently scrape it off. You can also use Goo-Gone or duct tape to lift the residue.
What is the fastest way to remove stubborn carpet stains from lipstick?
If the lipstick is fresh, blot it with a clean cloth and apply toothpaste. If it’s dried, scrape off the excess, blot with ammonia, or spray hairspray on the stain before wiping it away.
How do I remove stubborn carpet stains from shoe polish?
Scrape off as much polish as possible, then blot with dry-cleaning fluid. Follow up with ammonia and dish soap, then rinse with cool water. Acetone nail polish remover or a non-bleach laundry detergent mix can also help.