Halloween is fast approaching and with it comes the scariest
time of year for flooring stains!
Between holiday meals, New Year’s celebrations and Bowl Games, there
seems to be an increase in mishaps on your floors. Someone drops a glass of wine, spills the
gravy or Fido has eaten something he’s not supposed to and regurgitates it
behind the sofa. Here is how The Carpet
Guys recommend removing the most common stains from carpet.
How to Remove a Red Wine Stain
Blot stain…don’t scrub! This process will also work on Fido’s surprise.
A bottle of wine is one of the most common gifts given to a
host or hostess. If it ends up on your
floor, this is the process we recommend getting that wine stain out (make sure to
try blotting the stain with a clean, dry, white towel, working from the outside
in, and just using warm water first. If
this doesn’t work, proceed accordingly.):
- Using paper towels or a white towel, apply pressure to the stain to absorb as much liquid as possible.
- Mix a solution of ¼ cup clear, liquid dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water.
- Apply detergent solution directly to a clean, white cloth and dampen stain, avoiding saturation.
- Use small amounts of detergent solution, blotting frequently with a clean space on the cloth.
- Do NOT rub or scrub carpet, ever. It will damage the fibers and could void your warranty [see our previous blog on How to Maintain Your Carpet Warranty]
- Continue using the solution and blotting until stain is removed.
- Wet the stain with lukewarm water to rinse.
- Absorb rinse fluid with a dry, clean, white towel or paper towels.
- Repeat rinsing until all detergent has been rinsed.
- If stain remains, try the next stain removal method for greasy, oil-based stains.
How to Remove a Grease or Gravy Stain
This process works for any oil-based stain.
Uh-oh! Little Jimmy
was passing the gravy boat to his uncle and it fell on the floor. Here is how to get gravy and other types of
greasy, oil-based stains from your carpet:
- Using a spoon, working from the outside in,
remove as much of the gravy from the floor as possible.
- Try the above methods first. If that doesn’t work, proceed.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing
household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
- Apply ammonia solution in the same manner as
above, blotting with a clean towel to stain without saturating.
- To neutralize the ammonia solution, mix ½ cup of
white vinegar with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
- Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot like
above.
How to Remove a Coffee Stain
Thank goodness my Carpet Guys Installer knew how to get the stain out!
I’ll never forget the scene. Ten years ago, The Carpet Guys were installing new carpet in my basement. The installers arrived early in the morning and I offered to make them coffee since I hadn’t had my own cup yet. As I carried the coffee down to them, I tripped on my steps and dumped the coffee on my brand new, not even completely installed, floor! I could’ve cried! Fortunately, my installers knew exactly what to do to get this common stain out quickly:
- DO NOT USE THE AMMONIA SOLUTION ON COFFEE, TEA OR URINE STAINS!!
- Try the steps for the Wine stain removal and if that doesn’t work, proceed with the following steps.
- Mix ½ cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
- Apply the vinegar solution to the stain, blotting with a clean cloth as directed above.
- Rinse with warm water afterward, also using the above process.
If after trying any/all of these processes, the stain persists or it is a large area, you may need to try professional cleaning. The steam extraction process is recommended to maintain your warranty. To find an approved cleaning solution or professional cleaner check out The Carpet and Rug Institute.
Another option if your flooring has too many common stains to remove or is looking worn from all your valiant efforts to maintain it is to have your flooring replaced. The Carpet Guys can have your home updated and beautiful in time for you to host the next holiday meal or for your Superbowl party! Just call 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) or fill out our Free In-Home Estimate Form and one of our amazing sales support representatives will give you a call.
The post How to Remove Red Wine, Coffee, and Grease Stains appeared first on The Carpet Guys.