Stain Removal Tips

Small disasters happen everyday and most people don't know what to do. They don't know how to save their carpet. Though every stain is different, we thought it would be helpful to give a few basic tips that could help.

The first thing to remember is not to panic, but don't delay. Many stains become permanent simply because they are not treated quickly. The longer a stain sits, the greater chance it has to become permanent. So get on it as soon as possible.

Food Stains:

If the stain is a thick food substance such as gravy, marinara sauce, or chili, the first thing you should grab is a spoon, a towel, and maybe a small cup or jar. Place the towel just on the outside of the stain. Take the spoon and scrape the stain from the outside towards the center of the stain. You are trying to scrape up as much of the excess food as possible and put it into the cup or jar. The towel is positioned so you don't drip anything on the clean carpet and spread the stain.

After you have scraped up as much of the food as possible put the cup or jar away so you don't spill anymore on the carpet. Now you need a clean white towel and a general spot remover or some hot water with a light detergent in it.

Remember, any cleaning solution with bleach in it should not go on your carpet. Apply the cleaning solution to the stain and blot it out with the clean white towel. Alternate back and forth from the solution to the blotting towel. Remember to blot the stain. Never rub. Rubbing forces the stain deeper into the fibers and will make the stain worse.

When your blotting begins to yield less of the spot, place a dry clean towel over the area and set something heavy on top of the towel. The towel will continue to absorb the spot. The weighted towel can be left on the affected area from 30 minutes to overnight.

Even if some of the stain remains, you have done a great deal to prevent the stain from becoming permanent. You have increased the chances that the stain will be removed completely the next time you have the carpet thoroughly shampooed and steam cleaned by a professional.

Liquid Stains:

If the stain is a liquid substance such as wine, juice, milk, or coffee the first thing you should do is grab a dry clean towel. Don't delay.

Blot up as much of the stain as possible. After the dry towel can no longer yield any more of the liquid, bring out your liquid stain remover and more clean dry towels. Apply the stain remover and then blot with the dry towel. Go back and forth, from applying stain remover to blotting. Again, never rub.

When the blotting begins to yield less of the spot, place a dry clean towel over the area and set something heavy on top of the towel. The towel will continue to absorb the spot. The weighted towel can be left on the affected area from 30 minutes to overnight.

D & S Carpet Cleaning

Phone: 816-781-6760