Felecia Coleman
There is nothing as awful as that moment of sheer panic, as you watch that glass or bowl topple over, onto the carpet. Red stains are among the most difficult to remove, and, of course, they are the most common. They can be caused by a variety of culprits, including juice or Kool-Aid, red wine, or foods such as chili. So what can you do to keep your beautiful rug from being completely ruined? Here are some basic at-home remedies that can help remove the dreaded, red carpet stain.
Basic Carpet Cleaning Tips
There are some basic carpet cleaning tips that should be followed no matter what kind of stain is on your carpeting. First of all, it is much easier to remove a stain before it has had time to set in, so it is important to act quickly. You should always start by blotting as much of the stain as possible; do not rub the area or you may cause it to spread. When cleaning, always start from the outside of the stain, and work your way in, so that you do not add to the problem. You may want to start with the most natural cleaners first, before trying harsher chemicals, to reduce the risk of damage to your area rug.
Salt
If the stain is still wet, salt is one of the best options to remove stains caused by red wine or juice. Cover the stain completely with a thick layer of table salt, and let the salt sit long enough to absorb the stain (10 minutes or more). Pouring club soda on the stain before applying the salt may make it more effective, because it will dilute the stain and keep it from drying on the rug. Once you vacuum up the salt, the stain should be gone. If not, you can repeat the process until it is completely gone.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide is a safer alternative to bleach and is great at lifting stains. Begin by blotting the stain on your rug, and then spray on a mixture of equal parts of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide. Let the solution soak into the rug for at least ten minutes, and then continue using a towel to blot the stain. You do not need to scrub the area. Repeat until the stain is gone.
WD-40?
Who knew that WD-40 had so many different uses, including the removal of red-dye stains? You can spray WD-40 onto the stain and blot it with a towel to help remove those more difficult stains. It is important to not completely saturate your carpet when using WD-40. You also need to make sure that you do not rub it into the carpeting. You will continue this process until the stain is completely gone. Afterwards, you will need to clean your rug with a steam cleaner to completely remove the WD-40. Otherwise, it will attract more dirt to your rug.
Ammonia
Another common household cleaner that helps remove stains is ammonia. You may want to test your rug in an inconspicuous area beforehand, because ammonia may lighten the colors in your rug. You will need a white towel and an iron or carpet steamer. You will need to dilute the ammonia with water before using; your solution should be equal parts of water and ammonia. Spray the solution on the rug and place a wet, white towel over the stain. You can help lift the stain by applying heat. Place your iron on the lowest setting and place it on top of the towel, making sure not to touch the carpet with the iron. Leave it on there for no longer than ten seconds, or it may cause burn marks on the carpeting. When you lift the towel, the stain should be transferred to the towel. If the stain is not completely gone, repeat as necessary. If you do not want to use ammonia on your rug, you can use a dish soap and water solution (5 drops of dish soap/2 cups of water). You will follow the same process as with the ammonia.
If you are unable to remove the stain on your own, do not give up hope. Carpet cleaning companies (such as those from Majestic Rug Cleaning Co. Inc.) have a variety of stain removers that can get out even the toughest stain.
How many hours do you spend cleaning your home each week? Do you find it difficult to get to those difficult areas, like the bathrooms, as often as they need to be done? Have you considered hiring a cleaning service to come out and help you get the work done? I had never thought that I would be able to afford to hire a cleaning service, but my mother bought me a year's service for a Christmas gift. After that year, I hired the company on to come out and do just the three bathrooms and my kitchen once each week. To find out how you can schedule cleaning services to suit your personal needs, keep reading.