Battling with Carpet Stains
By Joe Cooper
Everyone has had to battle a tough carpet stain in their life as a homeowner. Here are some simple solutions you can try before calling a cleaning service, as well as some tips you should consider before going into battle.
Take advantage of materials you have in your home before calling the pros with these carpet stain removal tips:
- Use Vinegar to Fight Water.
- Prescribe Carpet Medicine.
- When in Doubt, Dye. Most carpets can be dyed using do-it-yourself kits available at the store. If the patch is small and in a casual room, this may be a good solution. For a more formal space, consulting with a professional before trying to dye is a good first step. (Some home carpet dying kits can cost as much as $100, making a professional service a good consideration).
- Scratch the Cleaning and Patch.
Everyone knows the "oil and vinegar" line, but what you may not know is that vinegar can be a good weapon against water stains to carpet. Old or dirty water can create brown carpet stains, which are both unsightly and tough to remove. Blotting the stained area with vinegar can be the simple solution you need.
Hydrogen peroxide is good for more than disinfecting cuts. Mixing half a cup of this household chemical with three cups of water can be a good prescription for tough carpet stains, especially sticky food spills.
Overtake tough stains altogether by removing the affected patch of carpet. This solution is good for carpet sections nearest walls and doorways and not in a noticeable center of the room. Extra carpet or carpet from closets or hidden areas can offer good replacements. This option should also be used sparingly, and big jobs are typically best left to the pros.
A good rule of thumb for each of these potential solutions is the question, "How important is this carpet space?" For formal, elegant spaces, where you don't want to risk making the stain worse, calling a professional carpet cleaning service is your best bet. For casual, high-traffic spaces where the impact of the stain is smaller, trying these remedies yourself can give you some good experience with fighting stains.
Sources
About the Author
Joe Cooper writes home services and design articles and manages corporate communications. He holds a bachelor's in American literature from UCLA.
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