Accidents to your carpets and upholstery will happen and the festive period means such accidents are probably more likely. I’ve written in the past about the dangers of using stain cleaners available from the supermarket. Most are pretty limited in their effects and most contain bleaching agents which can set a stain in a carpet or upholstery. This makes it far harder for a professional to get the stain from your carpet when your efforts have not been a success.
In time for Christmas, but for use all year round, I’m going to give you a first aid guide for your carpets and upholstery. Some basics, some simple cleaning solutions using substances likely to be in your home, and some guidance to what to do.
Basics
- If in doubt call The Rutland Cleaning Company
- Scrape up or blot away any excess prior to treatment – it makes your job easier
- Blot – never rub or scrub and use absorbent cotton or white paper towels
- Keep the fabric or carpet as dry as possible and do not over wet the backing material or you may cause lasting damage
- Test any cleaning solution in a discreet area before treating the stain
- Use any cleaners at the recommended dilution – a stronger solution is NOT more effective but may cause damage
- Do not be tempted to use inappropriate cleaning chemicals – washing up liquid is for your dishes not your carpets and white wine is for drinking, not to clear up red wine.
- Dry the carpets as quickly as possible – a hair dryer can help.
Cleaning solutions
In the following guide I’ll mention various cleaning solutions – they can be made as follows:
- Dry cleaning solution – surgical spirit
- Detergent solution – 1x teaspoon of wool specific in 300ml of warm water
- Detergent vinegar solution – as above with the addition of 1x teaspoon of white vinegar ( not malt)
- Ammonia solution – 1x teaspoon of household ammonia in a cup of water
Regular customers should have access to Professional Spotter from The Rutland Cleaning Company.
All solutions need cleaning using a rinse solution of 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water. Spray over the stained area and blot dry. Then put several sheets of white kitchen roll or an absorbent cloth over the stain and leave to dry.
Common stains
Alcohol – tea – coffee – urine
- Blot up surplus
- Use Professional spotter or detergent vinegar solution
- Work from the outside to the inside
- Frequently blot
- Rinse
Blood – milk – vomit
- Scrape up any excess
- Professional spotter or detergent solution ( if blood the solution MUST be cold)
- Blot dry
- Use ammonia solution
- Blot dry
- Rinse
Oils – fats
- Scrape up excess
- Dry clean solution followed by detergent vinegar solution OR dry clean solution followed by Professional spotter
- Rinse
There is no guarantee of success but these methods will avoid causing further damage to your carpets or upholstery.
If its not successful it will also give me the chance to still remove the stain , which supermarket stain removers probably won’t.
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