People who live on the North Shore with lots of trees know that spills and spots are just part of life. Your carpet always ends up with muddy soccer shoes, coffee splashes from a spilled cup, or the dreaded pizza night splatter. The good news is that most stains may be fixed if you act quickly and employ the appropriate method. Here is a list from Carpet Care Specialist experts of the most common culprits and how to deal with them without making small mistakes into lasting works of art.
Wine in Red
The party is going well, then, as course, a glass of red wine falls. Use a clean, dry cloth to blot the area. Don’t rub, or you’ll get abstract art on your carpet. Add two cups of lukewarm water, a tablespoon of dish soap, and a tablespoon of white vinegar to a bowl. Dab the solution on gently. Keep blotting (this will take some time) until the stain is gone. Sprinkle salt on older stains to soak up any leftover wine before using the solution.
Coffee: Lots of coffee in the morning on the North Shore, but carpets don’t like all those big pours. Right away, blot (don’t scrub) with a combination of one part white vinegar and two parts water. Put it on, blot it, then do it again until the brown ring goes away. Club soda can also help with less serious stains.
Dirt
Kids and cats run in from the backyard or bushwalks, leaving muddy footprints. Wait for the mud to dry before trying to get rid of it; patience will keep you from wanting to attack it while it’s still wet. When it’s dry, vacuum it well to get rid of as much dirt as you can. If there is still a stain, mix dish soap with warm water and gently scrape the area, drying it off as you go.
Ink pens have a strange way of getting on the carpet, whether it’s from doing schoolwork in a creative way or leaving them lying around. Put rubbing alcohol on a white cloth and gently wipe it. Don’t pour it directly onto the carpet. Keep going with a clean part of the cloth until the ink comes off. After that, take sure to clean the area with water and dry it well.
Accidents with pets
A four-legged pal is a must-have for any North Shore home, but things do go wrong. Soak up as much as you can right away, and then use a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. Blot the area, then sprinkle baking soda on it and let it set for 15 minutes before vacuuming. Enzyme-based cleansers can help a lot if the smell stays.
Oil and grease
Did you drop a greasy chip or have a kitchen accident? To soak up as much fat as possible, sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda on the area and let it sit for 15 minutes. First, vacuum the area, and then gently dab it with dish soap and water.
Cocoa
You can have melting sweets any time, not only on movie evenings. If chocolate gets on the carpet, use a butter knife to scrape off any hard chunks. Blot the stain with a mix of warm water and dish soap, starting with the edges and working your way in.
Most stains may be forgotten about if you act quickly, use the appropriate materials, and are determined. Of course, having a professional clean your carpet on a regular basis will maintain it looking its best. But what if you have to do it yourself? That’s a great North Shore superpower to have.
Carpet Care Specialists Mosman
50 Yeo St, Neutral Bay, NSW, 2089
(02) 8311 3724