5 Top Tips to Remove Stains from your Carpet

We've all been there, the dreaded wine spill on the cream carpet or the buttered toast which lands face down. Usually, the instant reaction is to panic and feel frustrated with yourself, but there's a better way. These quick, easy tips will keep you calm in moments of spillage panic and keep your carpets free of stains.

How to remove stains from carpet

There are lots of different techniques to remove stains, and although your tactic might change slightly depending on the type of stain, the process remains roughly the same.

Blot, don't rub

When dealing with a fresh carpet stain, it's important to blot the area using a clean towel or piece of kitchen roll. Rubbing the stain will only spread it and push it deeper into the fabric. Blotting will remove as much excess liquid as possible.

Soak the stain

Once you've blotted any excess moisture, how do you get the stain out? Start by soaking the area with a carpet cleaning product. You can either use a shop-bought product or dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in ½ a cup of white wine vinegar. Let the stain remover sit for around an hour, or as the package instructs.

Bicarbonate soda and grease stains

How to get the stain out of the carpet when its grease is a little different. After you've blotted any extra grease, sprinkle the area with bicarbonate soda. This will absorb and neutralize the grease. Leave this to sit on the stain for as long as possible until it has soaked up the stain. Then vacuum up the bicarbonate soda and apply a carpet cleaner as above.

Chocolate, candle wax and chewing gum

You might be wondering what these three things have in common. When removing stains from chocolate, wax and gum you first want to make sure the area is dry. Use a freezer bag filled with ice to cool down the area. Once it's frozen, use a blunt knife to chip off as much of the offending item as possible. Vacuum the area to remove any flakes. Use a carpet cleaner to remove the remaining stain.

Wine (or juice)

If you spill a strong coloured liquid (e.g., red wine, blackcurrant juice) the old wives' tale is true! White wine or soda water will help neutralize the colour and remove the stain. Start by spraying the area lightly with either white wine or soda water. Then blot with a clean cloth and follow the rest of the how-to get the stain out of the carpet steps above.

Conclusion

Now you know how to get the stain out of the carpet, next time a glass of red wine or a candle topples over you can feel confident in your skills!