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Irritating Carpet Stains and How to Remove Them in 10 Minutes
Written by Dimo. Posted in Carpet Cleaning Services, Carpet cleaning tips
Some carpet stains can prove to be a thorn in the flesh. You’ve tried everything you know, but they don’t seem to be going anywhere.
Well, you’re in luck now. We’ve listed these irritating carpet stains and the professional solutions you can use to get rid of them. No fancy tools or chemicals are needed, you can do all these at home with household tools and substances.
Let’s dive in!
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, but so are irritating carpet stains that can be left behind. Prompt cleanup is the key to avoiding those stubborn marks!
- 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.
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, leading to irritating 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. If you’re dealing with other irritating carpet stains, this method can still help. 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
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. If you’re dealing with irritating carpet stains, 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 irritating carpet stains. Remove ammonia from the surface with a clean cloth that 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 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. This can lead to irritating carpet stains that seem nearly impossible to remove. But with the right cleaning methods, you can restore your carpet to its former glory without the stubborn marks.
- 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 you feel your problems, especially those irritating carpet stains, are best handled by professionals, then don’t hesitate to call Accents in Cleaning. Our trained and qualified technicians know exactly what to do to get you satisfied. Stay glued for more DIY stain removal tips.
Pro Tips for Cleaning Your Carpet for Just About Anything
1. Cleaning long-pile carpets
They are very pretty, funny, and both children and our pets love them. That is why we must take special care to wash them more frequently and take care that these synthetic threads do not come off.
Our dogs, or smaller children, could eat them and have a serious problem. Additionally, irritating carpet stains can easily develop if we don’t clean them properly, so it’s essential to take extra steps to prevent this.
This is what we should do to take care of long-pile rugs:
What I need?
- 50 ml white vinegar
- 250 ml of water
How should I do it?
- This product is ideal for cleaning, removing germs and disinfecting. Don’t be afraid that the vinegar smell will linger after cleaning, because it won’t. The moment it dries, the scent will volatilize.
- It is not about completely “soaking” the carpet, but about spraying over it. To do this, the first thing we will do is hang it somewhere outdoors, ideal if you have a balcony or terrace. If not, find a room where you can open the windows and hang the rug so it can breathe in, helping to remove those irritating carpet stains.
- Hit it with a poker to remove any dust, hair, small items of trash, or dirt that it may have. Next, mix the white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray the carpet with it. Then you just have to let it dry. Allow it to breathe for about 3 hours.
2. How to clean a bad-smelling carpet
Surely you have at home that older carpet, the one that always gives off an odor that makes the room smell of old age or a neglected home.
Is very annoying. However, there is a remedy that never fails.
What I need?
- 250 g of salt. The amount is approximate, since ideally you can sprinkle the entire surface of the carpet with common table salt.
How should I do it?
- It’s interesting to know that salt is great not only for removing “stubborn” odors but also for removing moisture stains. To do this, the first thing we will do is spread the carpet and, as we have indicated before, sprinkle it with salt.
- You will have to roll it up little by little so that it is very close together and with hardly any spaces. Let it work for a whole day. Then, you will only have to use the vacuum cleaner to remove all the remains of salt, dirt, and bad smell.
3. How to clean your home rugs quickly
This trick is the simplest of all and one of the most used.
It will be useful to clean the carpets in a few minutes, removing stains, deodorizing, and, in turn, eliminating any germs.
What I need?
- 100 ml of ammonia
- A liter of warm water
- A sprayer
- A brush
How should I do it?
- First of all, we must take a series of precautions with this product, since exposure to it can be toxic to the body. Therefore, it is essential that we open the windows so that the room is well ventilated and that we wear a mask and gloves.
- Then what we will do is heat the water. It is enough that it is hot, but without burning. Add the ammonia, being careful not to splash yourself, and pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
- The next step is very simple: spray this content all over the carpet, then use a brush and carefully scrub the entire surface. Keep leaving the windows open so the fresh air can finish drying the carpet.
These are techniques we use at Accents in Cleaning, but with some experienced professional twist to it. We’ll like to bring that twist your way. Call us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common irritating carpet stains, and how can I remove them?
Common irritating carpet stains include ice cream, gum, lipstick, and shoe polish. To remove these stains, use household products like dish soap, vinegar, ammonia, and even compressed air. Quick action is essential to prevent stains from setting in, especially with sticky substances like gum and ice cream.
How do I get rid of irritating carpet stains caused by ice cream?
To tackle ice cream stains, quickly remove the frozen portions without pressing them into the carpet. Use a clean towel to blot the stain, followed by a dish soap and water solution to lift the stain. Repeat until the stain is gone, and rinse with water.
What is the best way to clean irritating carpet stains from gum?
For irritating carpet stains caused by gum, first freeze it with compressed air or an ice pack to harden it. Scrape the gum off carefully using a dull scraper or use duct tape to lift the gum. Afterward, clean the area with warm soapy water.
How can I remove lipstick stains from my carpet?
Lipstick can be one of the most stubborn irritating carpet stains. If the stain is fresh, apply toothpaste to it. If it’s dried, use a plastic knife to scrape off the excess, then blot the area with ammonia or hairspray. Always rinse with clean water to prevent further damage to your carpet.
How do I handle irritating carpet stains from shoe polish?
Shoe polish stains can be tricky to remove. Start by scraping off excess polish and applying dry-cleaning fluid to the stain. Use a mixture of ammonia and dish soap for blotting, then rinse with cool water. Alternatively, acetone or non-bleach laundry detergent can also work wonders.
How do I clean long-pile carpets and prevent irritating carpet stains?
To clean long-pile carpets, mix white vinegar with water and spray it on the carpet. Hang the carpet outside or in a well-ventilated room to dry. This method helps disinfect and remove irritating carpet stains caused by dirt or dust.