While certain spills or accidents can ultimately require a professional carpet stain removal to properly remove, there are several steps you can take immediately after seeing a new stain or spot on your carpet. Follow these basic steps to either remove the stain completely or at least limit the amount of long term staining to the carpet.
Take action!
As soon as you see a spill occur, act quickly – even though many fabrics today are stain-resistant, this protection is less and less effective the longer you wait. Don’t give the liquid any time to soak in.
Use a dry absorbent
Cloth and blot the affected area. Make sure that if you use a paper towel, it is free of any printing, designs, or other dyes. Do not scrub – this action is abrasive to the pile of the carpet stain removal and can further damage the location of the spill. Continue to blot the area until dry – solid materials should be vacuumed thoroughly until completely removed.
When using any cleaning agents or spot removers
Make sure to test the solution on an area of the fabric that is not readily visible. When testing, use only a few drops, then press a white cloth to the location for 15 seconds or so. Take a look at both the cloth and the carpet for any color change, bleeding, or other damage – if you see any, move on to another cleaner.
Don’t apply the cleaning solution directly to the stain
Instead, apply a small amount to a clean, absorbent white cloth and work from the edges of the spill, moving inwards. This should prevent the spill from spreading. Again, do not scrub the carpet stain removal area! Blot the affected area and repeat as needed – you should continue this as long as the spill continues transferring to the cloth.
Don’t rush the process
Once blotting the spill no longer colors your cloth, use cold water to rinse the spill area, and dry thoroughly (blotting, not scrubbing). Patience is important here – take your time to remove all traces of the cleaning solution, as, over time, some of these can actually cause discoloration themselves, making carpet stain removal difficult.
Cover the spill area
With a layer of paper towels, roughly a half-inch thick. Place a flat, heavy object on top of these to help soak up any remaining liquids. Keep an eye on the towels for any additional discoloration or absorption, and change as needed. A dry carpet cleaning compound may also be used as a substitute to accelerate drying time, but again, test this on an inconspicuous area of the carpet first.
Pick up the phone!
Many carpet manufacturers offer support information on their website and/or via a toll-free number – don’t forget to check any warranty information you may have, too. For especially nasty spills, or for antique or unique fabrics, contact your local carpet stain removal specialist. Make sure that they’re certified by an independent body (such as the IICRC) to ensure expert technical knowledge and experience – the only thing worse than leaving a stain untreated is an unqualified attempt at removing it! A proper carpet cleaner should offer a rock-solid satisfaction guarantee.