How to Clean Minor Carpet Stains

Carpet stains, even small ones, can distract from a perfectly clean room. Luckily, ForRent.com can show you how to clean carpet stains quickly with some easy-to-use methods. Here is a layout of what you will need:

-Figure out what kind of stain you have.
-There are three main types.
-Water-soluble stains (paint, mud, alcohol, soda pop and food dyes)
-Special water-soluble stains (chocolate, tea, mustard and coffee)
-Oil-based stains (grease, butter and oil)

-For water-soluble stains, fill a water bottle with 32 oz. of water and ¼ tspn. of non-bleach detergent or white vinegar.
-Spray it onto the stain
-Wait 5 minutes.
-Blot the stain with paper towels.
-Rinse the area with water and a cloth.
-Blot with a dry towel.

-For special water soluble stains, mix 1 cup of water with 1 tbsp. of ammonia.
-Dip a towel into the solution and wring it out.
-Dab the solution onto the stain.
-Wait 5 minutes, then dab it again until clean.
-Blot the carpet with a towel until dry.

-For oil-based stains, sprinkle with baking soda.
-Wait 20 minutes, then vacuum it up.
-Mix 1 cup of cold water with ¼ cup of mild dish soap (bleach-free).
-Wring out a towel with the solution
-Dab the stain with it.
-Do this several times until the stain is gone.
-Rinse the area with clean water.
-Blot it with a towel.

-Now carpet stains won’t be a problem.

You’ll first need to figure out what kind of stain you have. There are three types you usually have to worry about: water-soluble stains, special water-soluble stains and oil-based stains. Water-soluble stains include things like paint, mud, alcohol, ink, soda pop and food dyes. Special water-soluble involve things like chocolate, tea, mustard and coffee. Oil-based stains include things like grease, butter and, obviously, oil.

Once you know what the stain, you can proceed. For water-soluble stains, start by filling a water bottle with 32 ounces of cool water and ¼ teaspoon of non-bleach detergent or white vinegar. Spray it onto the stain, then wait 5 minutes. Blot the stain with paper towels. Rinse the area with water and a cloth, then blot with a dry towel to soak up any remaining liquid.

For special water soluble stains, mix 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of ammonia in a bowl. Dip a towel into the solution and wring it out. Then gently dab the cleaner onto the stain. Wait 5 minutes, then dab it again until the area is clean. Once that’s done, you can blot the carpet with a towel until it’s dry.

Cleaning carpet stains when they’re oil-based take a little more work. You’ll first need to sprinkle the stained area with baking soda and let it set for 20 minutes. Then vacuum up the baking soda. Pour 1 cup of cold water in a bowl and mix it with ¼ cup of mild dish soap (make sure it’s bleach-free). Wring out a clean towel with the cleaning solution, then dab the stain with it. Do this several times until the stain is gone. Rinse the area with clean water and blot it with a towel.

And just like that, you’ll be able to remove carpet stains without much trouble.

*We can’t promise you that the following techniques won’t get you in trouble with your property manager. Before you start any of these projects, make sure that you get written permission.

The post How to Clean Minor Carpet Stains appeared first on Apartment Living Blog.

from Apartment Living Blog https://www.forrent.com/blog/diy/clean-minor-carpet-stains/