After Holiday Mess
As the holiday season reaches its peak, many homeowners are preparing for parties and family gatherings. During the fun, guests may track in mud or spill food and drinks on your carpet. Here are some ways to rescue your carpet until you can call a carpet cleaning professional
First, take a few precautions to prevent stains. Vacuum your carpet well before the guests arrive. This will keep dirt from accumulating even more. Next, lay area rugs in high traffic areas, such as by the front door or next to the kitchen entrance. This keeps mud, dirt and crumbs from staining these areas. After your guests leave, vacuum well, paying special attention to those high traffic areas.
In general, blot most stains with warm water as soon as you can and use a towel to gently pat the area dry. Don’t rub it in or use too much water or the stain will get worse. If it is a large stain, work from the outside in. Here are some special cases where you need something other than plain water.
Red wine, tea, coffee, chocolate, tomato-based food, or berries: First, mix a ½ teaspoon of liquid dish detergent with one cup of warm water in a bowl. Dip a light-colored cloth into the solution and gently dab the area. Place the cloth on the stain and press gently for about 15 seconds. Blot with a dry cloth. Keep doing this sequence until you remove as much of the stain as you can and then let the carpet dry thoroughly.
Dirt and mud: First, vacuum the carpet well to remove any dried debris. Next, use the same method as red wine.
Holiday candle wax or chewing gum: place a few ice cubes in a resalable plastic bag and rub the wax or gum with it until the stain hardens. Use a blunt object to shatter the wax or gum and then vacuum up the remains.
Gravy or mayonnaise: Mix two cups of water and one cup of vinegar. Spray it on the stain and gently blot it. Repeat until the stain is gone.
This should help keep your carpet in good shape until the holidays are over and you have time to call a professional. After all of your guests have gone, contact us to get your carpet back in shape for the New Year.
