As we outlined in our previous emergency carpet cleaning tips post, there are some things you can do in order to minimise damage to your carpet, upholstery or rugs and to prevent permanent stains. It’s not always possible to call out a professional carpet cleaning company straight away after a spill – and many people would rather try and tackle it themselves first. Here are some tips on how to deal with different types of spills.
As soon as you spill something on your carpet, blot (don’t rub) from the outside inwards and don’t do what many people do when they spill something like red wine and throw another drink on it (usually white wine) to counteract the staining effect of the original spill. Over wetting the area will cause irrevocable damage. Another thing people often reach for are inappropriate detergents such as washing up liquid or disinfectant which can damage the wool fibres of the carpet.
Let’s look at what action to take with the most common spillages:
Tea, coffee, alcohol and other liquids
Make sure that you blot the area and try and soak up as much of the spillage as possible with a clean, dry cloth. Use the detergent vinegar solution little by little working from the outside inwards. Keep blotting with dry cloths so that the solution doesn’t over-wet the area, and apply the solution on a dry cloth rather than directly onto the carpet or rug. Make sure that once you have thoroughly blotted the area and applied the solution carefully you carry out a ‘final rinse’ as outlined below.
Vomit, blood, egg, ice cream, milk, soft drinks
These substances are often thick, sticky and much more difficult to blot. Therefore you may need to scrape the excess with a blunt knife. Use the detergent solution from working from the outside in, and blot dry. Then carefully apply the ammonia solution and carry out a ‘final rinse’.
Fat, tar, chewing gum, oil, grease
Again, use a blunt knife to remove the excess. Use the detergent vinegar solution making sure you blot it onto the stain rather than pouring it direct, and blot dry. You can also use white spirit sparingly on oil and tar. Once you have done this, you can move on to the ‘final rinse’.
Final rinse
Once you have followed the steps above, you will need to give the area a final rinse. Mix one-part malt vinegar with four parts water, and spray it sparingly on the affected area. Blot (don’t rub) the area to remove any moisture. Place several sheets of kitchen towel on the area and put something heavy on top and leave it overnight.
However, there are times when the remedies suggested above just won’t be enough and you will need professional carpet cleaning services such as those offered by Majestic Cleaning. Our professionals are experts at removing stains so contact us today for further help and advice, or to book a consultation.
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