How to Remove Stains from Your Carpet Before a Rental Walkthrough
Oh no! Your landlord is coming tomorrow for the walkthrough and you have a stain on your carpet! Life happens and accidents occur: spilt red wine, dripped wax, or exploding pens. What do you do when you only have hours to remove stains and ensure you get your safety deposit back? When cleaning a stain, it requires much more than simply soaking it up or spraying it with cleaner. You want to protect the carpet when cleaning the spot. It is also beneficial to use a substance that removes the spot completely. Here is how to remove stains from your carpet before a rental walkthrough.
Natural – Vinegar and Water
One of the most popular ways to remove stains naturally is to use a mixture of vinegar and water. The addition of vinegar to the spot creates a natural chemical reaction that works to remove other substances out of your carpet fibers. Make your mixture using 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water. Simply spray the liquid on to the carpet stain, letting it soak in for a few seconds. Then take a damp cloth and place it on top of the affected area. Turn on your iron and iron the spot for roughly 30 seconds, once you remove the covering cloth, the stain should be gone!
NOTE: If the stain was long-term, you may need to repeat these steps until it is completely removed.
Chemical – Ammonia
Ammonia is a chemical that is used to make your carpets as clean as you first had them. Take an equal amount of ammonia and hot water and mix them together in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on to the stain (ensuring that the problem area is completely covered with the ammonia mixture). Just as you iron with the vinegar and water, do the same for this cleaning chemical. Place a white cloth or towel over the spot and use your steam iron to go over the stain. You may need to change towels frequently as they quickly absorb most of the stained elements. Doing this should detach the substance from your carpet leaving it clean once again.
Natural – Vinegar and Baking Soda
If you are looking for a safe and natural way to remove stains that will not require toxic chemicals, try this natural solution. Remove any debris or dirt nearby, and once the area is cleared, sprinkle baking soda over the stain. Fill a spray bottle of vinegar and spray the vinegar on the baking soda spots. This will cause a natural reaction and the substance will begin to absorb the blemish. Leave this to soak for about 30 minutes, then using your clean white cloth, dab the area to soak up the rest of the remaining pigment and vinegar-baking soda mixture. Then once your carpet is clean, simply vacuum the area and your floors will look as good as new!
NOTE: Remember, whatever the stain is (wine, pet urine, food, etc.), always blot the spot and never rub. Rubbing can cause further damage and affect the surrounding area.
Chemical – Store-Bought Stain Removers
A number of stain removers are available in stores. Each product uses powerful chemicals to remove marks from the carpet and bleach it back to the original colour. OxiClean, Spot Shot, Resolve; all of these products are easy to use and work to chemically remove marks from the carpet. Simply spray the product on the affected area, let it absorb, and then dab the stain away with a clean white cloth. Depending on the product you choose, each uses a number of chemicals (sodium hydroxide, chlorine, perchloroethylene, or 2-butoxyethanol) to remove odours, rid unwanted colours, and clean the carpet fibers deeply.
NOTE: Many purchased stain removers contain harmful or dangerous chemicals. Be sure that you isolate the area from pets and children while the carpet is being cleaned. Always read labels on products to ensure you take the proper safety precautions.
Now that you know how to remove stains from your carpet, be comforted that your safety deposit will be returned!
Sources:
http://www.organicauthority.com/spring-cleaning-tips-how-to-naturally-deep-clean-your-carpet/
https://experiencelife.com/article/8-hidden-toxins-whats-lurking-in-your-cleaning-products/
http://chemistrycachet.com/easy-homemade-carpet-cleaner/?utm_source=hometalkbloggerprogram
