How to Save Your Carpet from 4 of the Worst Carpet Stains

Carpets feel great underfoot and give your home that warm, cosy feel. The thing is, having a spillage on a carpet can be way more dramatic than if you spill something over wooden floorboards which can just be mopped up. Dirt and pathogens can also hide down in the fibres of a carpet, meaning the quality of the air in your home may end up being compromised.

While you can battle ground in dirt with regular professional steam carpet cleaning, stains need to be dealt with immediately to ensure they don’t become a permanent fixture on your carpet. Remember when you’re cleaning a stain, you must know what material the carpet is made from and do not overuse a cleaning product or scrub too hard – as this could end up damaging it.

Red Wine Stains

A glass of red wine a day is said to have healthy benefits for us, but it’s not so healthy for your carpet! If you have a red wine spillage you must act fast;

• Use a clean, dry cloth to absorb up as much of the liquid as possible
• Mix a cleaning solution; one tablespoon white vinegar, one tablespoon dishwashing liquid and three tablespoons warm water. Pour the solution over the area and allow to dry
• Vacuum to remove the rest of the stain

Blood Stains

Maybe you’ve cut your finger or bashed your knee and you suddenly notice spots of blood on your precious carpet! First things first obviously tend to your cut and stem any more blood loss. Next;

• Mix one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with two cups of cold water
• Using a clean dry cloth, dab the solution over the stained area
• Repeat until the stain has totally transferred to the cloth then blot dry
• If the stain still refuses to budge, moisten the rest of the stain with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and leave for up to an hour. Use a clean cloth to soak any remaining liquid up

Coffee Stains

Having a few fresh cups of coffee a day will do wonders for your energy, but your carpet won’t be so energised if the coffee is spilt! Aim to attend to the stain as early as possible using a blotting motion – scrubbing with a brush can create more damage.

• Blot up as much of the coffee with a clean, white cloth
• Pour a small amount of cold water onto the stain and repeat blotting process
• Add a mild dishwashing liquid to some water and gently wipe the area with a sponge or cloth

Pet Urine Stains

If Fido has decided to mark his territory in your home, make sure you act quickly as fresh pet stains are a lot easier to remove than old ones. Get professional carpet cleaners in regularly if you have pets.

• Blot up as much of the liquid with clean paper towels as possible
• Spray or dab a distilled white wine vinegar or enzymatic cleaner solution (available at pet stores) over the mess. Leave the solution on overnight
• Press firmly onto the area with new paper towels, soaking up the rest of the liquid
• Neutralize the scent by sprinkling baking soda onto the area, let it sit for a few hours and then vacuum up