Whoever said “Don’t cry over spilled milk” probably knew how to clean old carpet stains.
All jokes aside, as long as you get to the milk right away, it probably won’t stain your carpet unless it has time to dry. So, if you’ve been wondering how to clean old carpet stains, you’ve come to the right place.
Seven Tips on How to Clean Old Carpet Stains
We’ve compiled seven effective secrets to help you clean that dirty carpet, or at least lift the effects of a stain.
These range from scrubbing techniques to what works best in a DIY carpet cleaner, so you can cover all your bases when it comes to knowing how to clean old carpet stains.
1. Vinegar
That’s right, vinegar is often the stuff of magic. Mixing white vinegar with water is a great way to remove a carpet stain that is water-soluble, which means that the stain is able to be dissolved with water.
The vinegar assists in lifting the stain and getting the water to do its work. Examples of water-soluble stains are milk, berries, mud, and jelly.
2. Blotting
This tip has to do with the way that you scrub a stain out. “Blot, don’t rub” applies to the carpet too!
Blotting works because you further saturate the stain with your cleaning material. Blotting also keeps the stain in one place instead of moving it around by rubbing the carpet.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
Another stain remover is hydrogen peroxide. This is especially helpful in removing blood, whether it’s from a paper cut or a bicycle tumble.
Hydrogen peroxide has a lot of strength, so loosening your stain with water and detergent is important before applying this directly to your stain.
4. Scraping
This is another scrubbing technique you can use for different stains.
Scraping is effective if you have an old stain that has dried, leaving a kind of crust. Examples of this are glue, blood, candy, and gum.
5. Ammonia
Ammonia is a stain remover you can combine with water to remove special-water soluble stains, just like vinegar but for different stain types.
These would be stains like wine, coffee, chocolate, and mustard.
6. Outside-In
The Outside-In technique is another way to attack stains when scrubbing. Similar to blotting, working at a stain from the outside and moving in towards the center will help contain the stain to one area.
This way, you minimize the risk of creating smears.
7. Keep Your Carpet Clean
Finally, it’s important to maintain a clean carpet regardless of stains. Making sure to clean your carpet whether it’s with your own tools or with professional carpet cleaning services keeps your carpet nice 24/7.
Assess your carpet every year to year and a half and see if your carpet could use a good cleaning.
Squeaky Clean
And now you know a little more about how to clean old carpet stains! With these seven tips, you’ll be well equipped for the next impending carpet mishap, whether it’s a food spill or a puppy accident.
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