Tips for Stain Removal on Carpet

Tips for Stain Removal on Carpet
 
So you’ve spilled something and stained your carpet. Don’t worry! Thousands of your fellow Newcastle residents do the same every year, and yes you guessed it, that includes me. 
  
What matters most is!  What you do next? Or in some cases, What is it you’ve done already?

Here are the tips for dealing with spillages.
 
WARNINGS: If you have wool carpet or if you’re unsure if its wool, don’t place any chemicals on the area (this is
very very important). Wool is a natural fibre and reacts to anything that is high pH (alkaline) or low pH (acid). And when I say reacts, it generally means it will permanently bleach the carpet.
 
In fact as a rule it is better if you don’t place any chemicals on the spill no matter what carpet you have and no matter what the chemical's packaging says). The reason is simply that you can permanently set the stain or limit the potential for a professional carpet cleaner to remove it, if you can’t. 

Also be careful with rugs as they may not be colourfast and spot cleaning can remove or spread colour.

Step 1: 
 
IF THE SPILL IS LIQUID: 
Immediately blot & absorb the liquid with a towel or tea towel (preferably clean and preferably white if possible)
until no more moisture can be absorbed. Immediate action is necessary to avoid the liquid penetrating beneath the carpet to the underlay. Do not rub or scrub the stain as this can distort the carpet pile and leave a fuzzy section in your carpet (Now go to step 3)
 
IF THE SPILL IS NOT LIQUID:

Scrape up the spill with a spatula or a spoon and remove any excess. Work back into the middle of the stain to avoid spreading it. (Now go to step 2)
 
Step 2: 
 
Using a clean white towel or tea towel blot up any of the excess material. Do not rub or scrub the stain as this can distort the carpet pile and leave a fuzzy section in your carpet.

Step 3: 
 
Using a spray bottle of clean water apply a very small amount directly to the stained area (avoid this step if it is an oil based stain). This will hopefully suspend the particles allowing easier removal. Using a clean white towel, blot up any excess moisture and hopefully more of the stain. Work back into the middle of the stain to avoid spreading and as mentioned already Do not rub or scrub the stain (It is also important in this step to avoid
over-wetting as it will only soak through the carpet and wet the underlay, so go easy).
 
If the stain has disappeared then job well done. 
 
If the stain remains you will need to call a professional IICRC accredited Carpet Cleaner to remove the stain and get your carpets freshened up at the same time.
 
Check out Carpet Cleaning packages for Newcastle residents.