Out, Darn Spot! Tips For Removing Carpet Stains

Out, Darn Spot! Tips For Removing Carpet Stains

Experts at the Carpet and Rug Institute and Coit carpet cleaning are stain-fighting superheroes, and you can be one too. When a stain happens, act quickly and use a white cloth or ink-free paper towels to blot the stain. If semisolids are part of the problem, scrape them off the floor carefully with a rounded spoon and vacuum the solids until they're completely removed. The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends testing a spot-removal product on an inconspicuous area before treating a rug stain. To identify a safe cleaning solution, the institute advises applying a small amount to the stain and letting it sit for 10 minutes.

Then, working from the outside edges of the stain inward, gently blot the spot. After the stain has been completely removed, rinse the treated area thoroughly with lukewarm tap water and blot dry (again with the blotting!) until all the cleaning solution has been removed. To dry, stack a half-inch layer of plain paper towels on the spot and weigh it down with a flat, heavy object (or stand on it). Continue the process until the excess water has been absorbed and the carpet is dry.