How to Deal With the Different Types of Carpet Stain

June 27, 2022

You've spent a significant amount of time determining the best price, durability, and aesthetics for a quality carpet. It makes an excellent addition to your home or office, providing style, sound absorption, and comfort to all who walk across it once installed. Unfortunately, carpet stains must be every landlord's worst nightmare.

 

No matter how diligent you are, your carpeting will eventually become soiled. It's only a matter of time before your pristine carpet is marred by dirt or debris.

 

This article will help you identify the different types of carpet stains and how to deal with them effectively. 


1. Organic-Based Stains

Organic-based stains are usually caused by food. These stains are primarily unavoidable and are the best type to have on your carpet. Organic-based stains are easier to remove and have little to no impact on the color of the carpet.

 

Additionally, you can simply sprinkle some water on the stain and gently scrub it with a squeegee or a brush. You can even use a vacuum cleaner or a broom to remove the stain. 

 

Besides that, the best time to remove the stain is when it is fresh. Once it dries up, removing the mark starts to become more difficult.


2. Inorganic-Based Stains

Inorganic-based stains are usually caused by common household items such as ink, paint, and nail polish. These stains are almost always permanent.

 

To avoid making inorganic-based stains on your carpet, ensure that your interior paints are well secured and quickly cleaned up before they get on your carpet. 


3. Protein-Based Stains

Protein-based stains are created when you have blood, sweat, or feces spilled on your carpet. Pets and young children often cause them. Protein-based stains are tough to remove. Even the most powerful carpet cleaners can't get them out completely.

 

The best stain-removal solution is to clean the area back to its pre-stained state as soon as it happens.


4. Oil-Based Stains

Oil-based stains are the bane of your house cleaning since they are easily caused by everyday household items such as cooking oils, oil spills, and automotive oil. They can be easily removed by mixing equal parts of water and baking soda. You can then apply this mixture to the stain and let it sit for some time before vacuum-cleaning it away. 


5. Older Stains

Older stains are the hardest to remove. They have gotten a chance to set in, and now you can't extract the whole thing from your carpet. You can try cleaning the area with a steam cleaner, but this usually doesn't work.

 

In addition, the best way to clean an old stain is to use an enzyme-based cleaner. These types of cleaners are formulated to break down older pigments.


6. Wax and Gum

Wax and gum are often left on the carpet when children are chewing on food or playing with their toys. They are mostly harmless but can be a pain to clean. A simple solution is to place a hot iron over the spot for a few minutes.

 

Furthermore, this method can be applied on a cold day as well. The heat from the iron will melt the wax or gum and make it easier to clean.


Conclusion

Carpet stains can be a real pain to deal with. However, with a little bit of knowledge and effort, you will be able to thoroughly clean your carpet and make it look as good as new.

 

Just remember to act on any stain as soon as it happens. This will ensure that the stain doesn't have time to set in. If you do not have the time to clean the stain immediately, place a towel over it to prevent it from spreading.

 

If you don't have the time to clean the carpet yourself, look for carpet cleaning services to aid you. CitruSolution Carpet Cleaning provides area rug, carpet, and upholstery cleaning services to clients in Walton Country, Georgia, and other nearby areas. Contact us today!

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