How to Treat Carpet Stains Before They Set In

You’ve just spilled an entire glass of your favorite Merlot onto your brand new, white carpet.  What do you do?

Most people know  they’ll need to call in a professional for help, but did you know that your immediate reaction to the spill can determine whether or not it can be removed?  Do you blot it, wet it, scrub it, or leave it alone?  Here are some tips to minimize damage from spills before calling in the professionals:

Red Wine or Juice Stains: The first thing to do (besides not panicking) is to immediately blot up as much of the moisture as you can using an absorbent cloth or paper towel.  Do NOT rub the stain, but instead gently press straight down with the cloth to absorb the wine.  The point of blotting is to remove the wine without working it further down into the carpet.  Once the excess wine is removed, pour a small amount of water onto the stain and blot again.  This dilutes the wine before it has a chance to set in.  Then call a professional carpet cleaner  – the sooner the professionals come in, the more likely you’ll be to have a positive outcome.

Coffee Stains: While your first instinct may be to scrub the stain, DON’T!  As with red wine, blot the stain gently to prevent it from seeping further into the carpet.  Call a professional for further instructions based on the type of carpet.  Make sure to let them  know if there was cream or sugar in your coffee as this can affect the removal process.  As with wine stains, time is critical.  The fresher the stain, the easier it is to remove.

Wax Stains: Your favorite candle tipped over, getting wax all over the carpet.  Start by picking out the big chunks with your fingers.  Next, get a brown paper bag (the same one you pack your lunch in) and lay it on top of the wax spill. Heat your iron to a warm setting (not too hot), and place it on top of the paper bag.  Iron over the brown paper bag.  The wax will begin to melt and  stick to the paper bag. Be careful not to iron off the paper bag as this could damage the carpet depending on its material.  Check your progress and repeat if needed. For larger areas, you may need several paper bags to remove as much wax as you can. Once you’ve done this, call a professional to help pull any residual wax.

If you’ve got a busy household, spills are an inevitable part of life. Spectrum can help! Having your carpets professionally cleaned every 6 to 12 months will keep your home fresher, cleaner and healthier  for you and your family. Visit our website for current specials!