If you just spilled something onto any fabric you will want to act fast, right? Jumping into action without considering what you are cleaning and which cleaners you use can lead to the worst outcomes. In this article, we will go over the basics of safely stain spotting your carpets.
- Before you clean!
- What is the material? silk, velvet, viscose, and linen are great examples of fabrics that can be damaged by water. They can shrink, get water damaged, or even change appearance. Always double-check what you are cleaning. You can find the material by checking the tag on the back or even looking it up on the store’s website if available.
- Don’t rub, Blot! Rubbing can ruin the fabric and spread the stain to new areas. Blotting and rinsing with a solution of water or water and vinegar can save you a lot of trouble. If done thoroughly you can sometimes get rid of a stain without doing much work.
- Stain spotting process
- If you spilled something your first step should take a dry cloth and lightly blot the area until dry. Using baking soda to clump up liquids is also a great method.
- Next, take a 1 to 1 solution of water and vinegar and lightly rinse the area until you no longer see the transfer from the fabric to your cloth. ( adding a little dish soap can create a stronger solution) I always recommend starting out light and working your way up.
- If the stain is still there you may want to consider using a store-bought cleaner. I advise against this because while store-bought cleaners can remedy a stain, using them without proper knowledge or a way to extract them can cause more harm than good.
- When is it time to call a pro?
- If you can’t get out a stain using these methods the next best step would be to get a professional to take a look at the stain. A good carpet tech will be knowledgeable about materials and can safely treat the stain. If you want peace of mind knowing you did everything you could, calling a carpet cleaner is always a great choice.