| A carpet in a house receives a lot of foot traffic and | | | | 1. Soda water |
| it is not uncommon for carpets to have all sorts of | | | | 2. Diluted white vinegar |
| products spilt on them, which could be anything from | | | | These two products act in different ways but I have |
| liquid wax to red wine. Carpets do require a certain | | | | had wonderful success with both. In fact, I am such |
| amount of care and attention if they are going to be | | | | a fan of vinegar that it is the first thing I go for |
| kept in the best order so let's look at the best | | | | when removing any stain whatsoever. |
| carpet cleaning methods to ensure that a carpet is at | | | | Lifting a liquid stain. |
| its best at all times. | | | | Firstly when something lands on the carpet quickly |
| Vacuuming: regular vacuuming is a must to keep the | | | | mop up as much as you can with a light colored cloth. |
| dust from falling through to the bottom of the | | | | Grab the nearest clean cloth, especially if you have |
| carpet and damaging the lower layer. High traffic | | | | spilt something dark in color like red wine. |
| areas need to be vacuumed at least twice a week. | | | | If you are using soda, generously sprinkle some over |
| The number of times that a carpet also needs | | | | the affected area. Lay a thick towel over the area |
| vacuuming also depends on the number of people | | | | and stand on it to absorb as much moisture as you |
| living in the house. When vacuuming the best method | | | | possibly can. Keep turning the towel to a dry area |
| to remove the dust is to vacuum from side to side | | | | and repeat the process to remove as much of the |
| then up and down. | | | | stain as you possibly can. |
| Carpet Shampooing: a carpet should be shampooed | | | | If using vinegar, use a mix of 1/3 white vinegar to 2 |
| every six months to give it a good clean and lift any | | | | 3 cold water and use the same method to remove |
| dirt that is not coming out with the regular | | | | the stain. |
| vacuuming. There are machines available that are | | | | The theory behind this very successful method of |
| vacuums and shampooers combined, or machines | | | | removing the stain is that the clear liquids dilute the |
| that only do the one job. | | | | spilt liquid and by stamping on the moistened area |
| Shampooing is performed by spraying the carpet | | | | you are bringing the diluted spill and the added liquid |
| with a shampoo solution which loosens the surface | | | | out of the carpet. |
| dirt and absorbs dirt deep in the pile. At this point you | | | | Avoid rubbing the stain as this will spread it. I have |
| need to know which method of cleaning your | | | | used this method with a red wine spill on an apricot |
| machine uses. Some machines work on a wet carpet | | | | carpet and it was impossible to see where the wine |
| (the steam clean machines) or otherwise you just | | | | had been spilt. |
| vacuum the carpet when it has dried. | | | | Lifting spilt wax. |
| Carpet cleaning tips for removing stains. | | | | Let the wax dry and scrap as much of it off the |
| Of course we realize that there are all sorts of stains | | | | carpet as you can with a clean kitchen knife. When |
| that may affect the carpet and it pays to know how | | | | as much of the wax has been removed as possible |
| to handle each type that you may experience. Also, | | | | take the next step. That is to use a warm iron and |
| there are different spills. For example, if hair dye or | | | | with a layer of an absorbent paper underneath (a |
| heaven forbid, hair bleach, lands on the carpet you | | | | paper towel is good), iron the waxed area. Keep |
| will need two entirely different methods of treating | | | | turning the paper and gently moving the carpet to |
| the carpet. The hair dye may come out with time | | | | expose any wax crumbs. Take care that any area |
| and extreme perseverance, but the hair bleach is also | | | | under the iron has paper between it and the carpet. |
| going to bleach the carpet and the quicker you can | | | | Also ensure that the iron is only warm because |
| act on the spill and ever so carefully mop up the | | | | otherwise the carpet will scorch. |
| moisture will contain the mark as much as possible. | | | | The most important tip with carpet cleaning and |
| There are two products that are excellent for | | | | removing stains is not to let the stain get really old or |
| removing stains in carpet: | | | | it will be very hard to remove them. |
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