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The best ways to remove carpet stains

Carpets are the most utilised piece of furniture in any home. More than 75% of all dirt and contaminants are walked into the home from outdoors, and this can lead to heavy soiling and difficult to remove stains. Of course, internal factors such as children and pets can also lead to stubborn stains, as can the glass of red wine which decided to empty itself over your beautiful carpet.  So, how can you remove stains from your carpets without causing damage to them? You can make use of any one of many cleaners designed to remove stains from your floor, or try some of the ways mentioned below.

Baking Powder

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This handy cooking additive can help lift many stubborn stains out of your carpet. Start by sprinkling it across the entire carpet and then with a hard broom, brush it into the pile. The baking powder absorbs moisture and eliminates odours. On stains, simply take a tablespoon of baking powder and place it on top of it. Next, gently pour some hot water onto it and then rub it in with a cloth. Leave it to sit for a good 30 minutes and then wipe clean with a damp cloth before vacuuming.

Red Wine Stains
This one may smell a bit, but the best way to remove a red wine stain is by dousing it with some white wine vinegar. Leave it to soak for around 10 minutes and then begin to dab at it with kitchen paper.  It may take several applications, but it will lift the stain without lifting the colour of the carpet. Vinegar and baking soda works wonders when combined and creates fizz powerful enough to remove almost every type of stain.

Oil Stains
If you have oil in your carpet, then the first thing you want to do is liberally cover it with talcum powder to absorb the moisture from it. Vacuum up the excess powder and then cover the oil stain with fresh lemon juice. The acid in lemon juice breaks down the oil and makes it easy to remove. Finish with baking powder and leave to sit overnight.

Soil Stains
Soil can be a pain to remove from carpets, especially light coloured ones. The best way to lift soil stains from carpet is with steam and a little elbow grease. If you don’t have a steamer, simply use a dishcloth soaked in hot water and a bit of washing up liquid and rub it until it has gone.