When a stain shows up, try to act quickly. If it’s water soluble like juice or food dye, pour on some club soda and blot.
For pet stains, use white paper towels or an old cloth to absorb the spill as soon as it happens. This helps prevent the stain from soaking deep into the carpet fibers. You can always call Apartment Carpet Cleaning El Dorado Hills CA services to handle the job for you.
Baking Soda
Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) is a non-toxic and inexpensive cleaning solution that’s an effective deodorizer and stain remover. When used right, it can help keep your carpets looking fresh and new!
All you need to do is sprinkle a generous amount of ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda over the affected area of your carpet. Ensure that you cover the entire stain, and you can even use our shaker bottle for easy application! After you have covered the stain with baking soda, leave it to sit for at least 3 hours, or overnight if the spot is particularly stubborn.
The longer it sits, the more effectively it will work to absorb odors and break down stains. Once the baking soda has had the chance to absorb the stain, it is safe to vacuum. It is important to note that it can take quite a long time for the baking soda to completely absorb a stain, especially if the stain is wet. Depending on the type of stain, it may even take a few days for the baking soda to absorb the stain.
It is important to remember that once the baking soda has absorbed the stain, it will also absorb moisture and odors from the carpet fibers and backing. This can lead to mildew and mold growth if the moisture is not quickly removed.
If your carpet is wet, it is crucial to remove as much water as possible using a wet vac or by setting up fans to move the air around and dry out the carpet and pad. If the carpet stays wet for more than 24-48 hours, you may need to have it professionally cleaned and dried out.
If you have an odor problem in your home that cannot be addressed with regular cleaning methods, try adding a few drops of essential oil to your baking soda and allowing it to sit for about an hour. After the baking soda has had a chance to absorb the odors, vacuum the area and repeat if needed. Be sure to vacuum often throughout the process to avoid the baking soda settling into your carpet fibers and creating an unpleasant look.
Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most versatile cleaners around. It can lift a wide variety of stains from carpets, and it also deodorizes them. When you use vinegar on your carpet, you should start by blotting up as much of the stain as possible. It’s best to use white paper towels or a rag that won’t transfer dye to the carpet fibers. Never rub a grease stain, as this will only push it into the carpet fibers and create a larger mess. Once you’ve removed as much of the grease as possible, blot the area again with warm water and then apply some table salt. This is a very effective way to remove grease stains, and it also helps to eliminate any residual odors left behind.
If you have a lingering stinky carpet problem, try mixing equal parts white vinegar and baking soda in a spray bottle and applying the solution to the affected area. You can even add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for an extra fresh scent. This solution works well for smells caused by mildew, pet urine or feces, and even smoking odors.
Just be sure to test the solution on a small section of your carpet to see if it is safe for your type of flooring and fabric. Then, let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming it up. It’s also a good idea to open a window in the room and turn on a fan so the air can circulate and help to dry the area faster.
For a quick fix on a fresh stain or for the times when you don’t have any of the other solutions on hand, you can try using club soda. The aerated carbonation in this solution is great for lifting stains and odors, and it’s also very affordable. Simply pour a little onto the stain, and then blot until it’s completely lifted and the odor is gone.
If you’re not in a hurry to clean, a good option is vodka. It’s a natural stain remover and also kills bacteria, so it’s ideal for removing mildew and other smelly odors. Just apply the solution to the odorous area and leave it to soak for about 30 minutes before blotting again.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a safe and effective natural cleaner with antimicrobial, oxidizing, and bleaching properties. It also has anti-fungal properties and can improve indoor air quality, particularly if it is combined with baking soda. It can be used to remove stains from carpets and is much cheaper than store-bought carpet cleaning products that may contain chemicals that can be toxic to your family and pets.
Using hydrogen peroxide on your carpets can be a great way to freshen up get rid of old stains and make your home smell nice. It is easy to use and can be poured on the stain while it is still wet and blotted gently with paper towels to prevent the spread of the stain. It is important to rinse it well with cold water afterward, as the peroxide will bleach some fabrics, including wool carpets. It is best to test this on a small area of the carpet before applying.
A little bit of borax in your peroxide can give it an extra boost of stain-fighting power, as borax is a safe and non-toxic soil deodorizer. The solution should be applied to the carpet and allowed to sit for 10-15 minutes to penetrate and break down stains, especially pet stains. It is recommended that you use an old toothbrush to agitate the fibers during the final rinse and to blot away any excess moisture utilizing clean towel sections.
You can also make your peroxide carpet cleaner with equal parts water and liquid soap, preferably a simple, biodegradable dishwashing liquid. Mix in a spray bottle, add 3% hydrogen peroxide (the stuff you can buy in the brown bottles at drug stores), and test it on a small spot of your carpet to ensure that the combination won’t bleach or damage it.
This is a very cheap and effective method for removing organic stains, such as coffee, tea, wine, and even some pet stains, from your carpets. It is important to blot the area and not rub, as this will spread the stain. If you have a stubborn stain that does not come out with this method, it is probably permanent. In that case, you can put on your most comfy robe and slippers, grab a pint of ice cream, and binge-watch Friends on Netflix.
Shaving Cream
Shaving cream shares many of the same properties as soap, including the ability to lift away stains. The foamy nature of classic shaving cream can lift tough stains from even coarse fibers like those in carpets. Simply apply the shaving cream to the stain, let it sink in for about a half hour, and then wipe it away with a damp cloth. This method is especially effective on grease stains and other stubborn messes. Before you try this hack, though, make sure to do a spot test on an inconspicuous section of your carpets to make sure that it won’t discolor or damage them.
Foaming shaving cream is also a great way to clean delicate items, such as fine jewelry or other small household items. You can easily clean your bamboo houseplants with this cleaning trick, simply by covering them with shaving cream and then wiping them down. The foaming action of the shaving cream helps to lift dirt and grime, while the protective ingredients in the cream help to preserve your delicate items.
Another great use for shaving cream is to remove odors from boat carpets and upholstery. To use this cleaning hack, first apply the shaving cream to the odor surface and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Next, scrub the area with a soft bristle brush and wash it with a bucket of warm water. Once the area has been washed, allow it to dry completely before walking on it again.
If you don’t have any shaving cream on hand, baking soda is an easy substitute for this quick and simple cleaning trick. Just sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda over the carpet and leave it there for about 10 minutes. The baking soda will absorb odors and cling to dirt particles, making them easier to remove when you vacuum the area.
This simple and cheap cleaning solution is also safe for most types of carpet, but it’s important to always spot-test your cleaning products before you start using them on your carpets. For example, wool and jute carpets can be damaged by harsh chemicals, so it’s best to stick with specialized cleaners for these types of materials.