Tips For Removing Carpet Stains

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Here are a few tips I’ve accumulated to remove and clean carpet stains, remember to always test in a small, unnoticeable area first to make sure the carpet won’t be discolored or damaged.

Tips:

Cleaning Stain From Carpet

• Saturate a clean, white cloth with rubbing alcohol and dab the spot.
• Mix 1/4 cup water with 3/4 cup household vinegar. Spray stain generously but not too much to soak under padding. Allow to sit for a minute or two, then dip a clean, white cloth in the water/vinegar and dab area until it’s removed.
• Use a bar of Ivory Soap wrapped in with a wet cloth or a gentle bristle brush.
• Try a laundry stain remover pen or stick.
• Remove gum from carpet by covering and slathering the gum with a teaspoon of peanut butter. Allow it to sit for a minute or two, then remove peanut butter and gum with a wet cloth. Clean the area with a wet, soapy cloth.
• Spot clean the area with club soda.
• Sponge with a soapy sponge, then with hydrogen peroxide or a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and household ammonia (careful on colored carpets, more for light tones).
• Blot with household vinegar.
• Try a baby wipe if you have one on hand.
• OxiClean–I’ve had great success with this product.
• Mix together 4 tablespoons baking soda, 6 teaspoons household ammonia, 1/4 cup liquid Ivory dish detergent, 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water. Sponge into spot, allow to dry then vacuum.
• Make a thick paste with cornstarch and water and apply to area, allow to dry then vacuum up. May need few applications to lift all the stain.

There are also these methods from cleaning pet urine that can be used for other stains as well.

Tips To Remember

• Don’t scrub in stain, but blot out and wipe upward if possible.
• Avoid applying too much liquid so that it soaks and saturates the carpet’s under padding.
• Don’t take any chances–always test a small area first.
• If you have pets, avoid using ammonia as it may trigger your pet to relieve himself on the spot.

How To Remove Spilled Nail Polish

Nail polish spills can make an awful mess on carpet and here’s a tip sent in by Charlotte to clean that up:

Fingernail Polish Is A Staple In The Makeup Bag--But Spills Can Be Tricky To Clean

• First remove what you can of the nail polish by blotting it up with paper towels.
• Next pour a little nail polish remover on the stain and blot the nail polish up, don’t rub it all over because the staining will just spread…just blot it up. Keep applying the nail polish remover and blotting it up until the stain is gone.
• If you missed the spill and didn’t notice it until the nail polish has dried, still try this but wait about 5 minutes before blotting up the stain so the nail polish remover has a chance to work into the nail polish.
• After I did this there was a little trouble spot I missed but I was able to scrape it out with the edge of a plastic spoon, just soften the nail polish with more nail polish remover and scrape it out. A plastic knife would probably work better but I was trying to do the least damage to the carpet fibers as possible.
• After the stain is gone you will want to wash the area with a bit of soapy water and then sponge with clear water to remove the residue.

Tipnut’s Notes:

• As always, first test a hidden spot of your carpet with any stain removal method (in this case nail polish remover) to make sure the carpet color won’t be affected.
• Avoid applying too much liquid so that it soaks and saturates the carpet’s under padding.
• Use an acetone based nail polish remover and one that isn’t oily (so you don’t have to deal with an oily residue left on your carpet).

Nice tip to keep on file, thanks a bunch Charlotte!