If there’s something that everyone hates, it’s a stain on a carpet – particularly if you’ve just had them fitted. Even if you haven’t, stains are incredibly unsightly and can really make your carpet look like they’ve seen better days. And sometimes no end of scrubbing will get the stain out, and even if it does it can leave your carpet looking forlorn and rough. Scrubbing is hardly ever the best solution – in fact if you need to scrub then you probably aren’t using the right products. So why not find out the best way to remove stains so your carpet is quickly returned to its original condition?
Here are the steps you need to take to banish stains in a flash;
STEP 1: Remove solid matter
Always remove as much solid matter as possible using a spatula or blunt knife edge. Do not use anything sharp as this can cut into your carpet and damage the fibres. Do this as soon as you can; the longer a stain is left to dry the harder it is to remove.
STEP 2: Blot the stain
This is important if the stain is fresh. Remove as much of the liquid as possible with white paper towels or tissues, but never use coloured products as the colour can transfer and add to the problem. Apply the tissue with firm, even pressure and gently press down. Repeat several times until you cannot lift any more liquid.
STEP 4: Pre-test products
With any chemical product you should always pre-test it in an inconspicuous area, such as under a sofa or behind a piece of furniture. If you’ve got any carpet left over in your loft or shed you could use this – if it reacts badly you won’t have damaged anything valuable.
STEP 5: Remove the stain
The type of stain will dictate the products you need to use, and the order in which you use them. Read out stain removal guide for full details on every type of stain you can imagine!
Apply a small amount of your spotting agent to the carpet fibres and blot gently with a clean, new white towel. If colour transfers to the towel or a colour change occurs, do not continue and consult a professional. Otherwise do not rub or brush, but continue blotting the stain. Do not over-wet the stain, but use small amounts of the spotting product – you can always apply more. Keep applying and blotting until the stain is gone. Apply your next product and repeat the process.
STEP 7: Rinse the area
Use a fabric rinse or water to rinse the area and remove all traces of the spotting agents. Again, do not over wet the area – apply a small amount the blot repeatedly.
STEP 8: Reset the fibres
All that work will probably have moved the fibres about – it’s important to brush them back into place so the area doesn’t look out of sync with the rest of your carpet. Work from the outer edge to the centre to prevent ring marks forming, and use a soft brush to prevent damage.