How to Get Tricky Messes Out of Carpet

Whether you have kids, pets, or are an accident prone adult, chances are you’ve had moments of “oh no, how am I going to get that out?!” It can be nerve wracking when you think there’s no hope for your carpet, but have no fear! We’re here with some simple tips to get the hard stains out! Before attempting any of these on a large spot in the middle of your room, try them on an inconspicuous small spot to ensure your carpet can handle the treatment!

  1. Gum. The quickest and easiest way to remove gum from carpet is grabbing an ice cube from the freezer and resting it on the gum until it is solid and scrape as much off as you can. After the majority of the gum is removed, use an adhesive remover on the remaining residue. 
  2. Red Wine.  First things first: immediately BLOT up any excess liquid from the carpet. If you happen to have some club soda laying around, pour the soda over the spot, blot and repeat until the spot is gone. If you do not have club soda laying around, use a combination of 1 tablespoon dish soap, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water. Pour over the spot and blot until the spot is gone!
  3. Cat Urine. Cat urine is tough to remove due to the amount of ammonia that is released as the urine dries. For best results, clean up any accidents as soon as possible before they begin to dry. DO NOT USE BLEACH on any surface to remove cat urine. The combination of chlorine and ammonia can create a toxic gas that can be extremely harmful to humans. Before applying any cleaners, use a clean towel to blot up any remaining liquid. Do this a few times until you are positive there is nothing left behind. Next, use a combination of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part COLD water and wet the spot. Let that sit for 5 minutes, then blot well again until the spot is almost dry. Sprinkle regular baking soda on top and let that sit for a minimum of an hour before using a vacuum to remove the soda. If a stain has dried already, you may need to repeat this process to ensure all traces are gone. Cats are creatures of habit and will continue to go in the same spots if they aren’t cleaned up properly. 
  4. Blood. Accidents happen and sometimes they can be tough to remove. Use a mixture of 1 tablespoon of dye free hand soap and 2 cups of COLD water and blot the spot as soon as possible. Keep blotting until the spot fades. Do not use hot water as this can set the stain deeper. After the stain is gone, blot again using cold water to remove any soap residue. 
  5. Oil. The best way to remove oil or grease from carpet is to immediately sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the affected area. Leave it for an hour, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.
  6. Wax. If you frequently have candles lit in your house, chances are you’ve accidentally spilled wax at least once. First freeze the stain by putting ice in a bag and letting it sit on the wax, then scrape as much off as possible. Next grab a clean old towel you wouldn’t mind throwing away and get it wet (white would work best to prevent the dye from rubbing off of the towel onto the carpet). Then set your iron to a low setting (too high of a temperature or the steam setting could melt your carpet fibers!), place the wet towel on the wax, and gently iron over it for 10 seconds. Check the progress, reposition the towel to a clean spot, and repeat until all of the wax is out. If there is any residue left behind, dab a small amount of rubbing alcohol on the spot and then vacuum to restore your carpets texture!

It is important to not “experiment” too much when it comes to stain removal. If you’ve tried to remove a pesky stain that won’t budge, it’s time to call in the professionals at Marathon Carpet Cleaning! Too many “DIY” stain treatments could set the stain in farther or compromise the integrity of your carpet.