Stain removal: Some tips for removing stains

Making Your Carpets Look Good

Let’s face it, carpets, rugs, furniture, curtains and drapes are expensive. They add up to a sizeable investment. Also, if they look good, your home looks good. So they are worth protecting.

This means caring for and cleaning them properly.

The way you care for carpets, furniture and window fittings will depend on what they are made of. You should always make sure you know and follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer.

However, there are some general tips to follow when a stain appears:

• Clean spots and stains immediately – it’s much easier to remove a new stain than an old, walked on, ingrained one.
• If the stain is wet, blot it, don’t rub it as this only spreads the dirt.
• If the stain is dry, loosen it and vacuum it away before you wet the area. Adding water to dirt will make it worse.
• If the stain is greasy, you may need to use a dry cleaning agent. Spot it on with white cloth, working from the edges towards the centre. Don’t scrub!
• For some greasy stains, you could even try powders first, such as baking powder and cornstarch. Sprinkle them generously on the stain, wait six hours and then vacuum up.
• Always use a clean white cloth on stains – you don’t want to add more dirt and colour to the spot!
• If you use a cleaning product, read the instructions carefully – and do what they say. For example, if you don’t dilute the cleaner correctly you just be adding to the damage.
• Test the surface to be cleaned – use the cleaner in an area not noticeable – such as under the bed. Wait until it dries. If it doesn’t work, don’t use it.
• After you’ve cleaned away a stain, rinse the area thoroughly. If you used cleaning products and don’t rinse them away, they will just attract more dirt.

If you’re not sure how to remove the stain, call in a carpet cleaning professional.