With Spring approaching, the weather can be unpredictable, which means everything from rain, sleet, and snow can be tracked inside – and removing those carpet stains can be a huge headache. But with the right cleaning products and our step-by-step guide, you can tackle those blemishes easily. Don’t host your next Super Bowl viewing party or Valentine’s Day dinner with a messy carpet! Use these natural cleaning solutions to take on the toughest stains.
Different Types of Carpet Stains
Before you dive into cleaning a tough carpet stain, be aware of the different types of spots and the different types of cleaning solutions each of them need.
Water Soluble
Water soluble stains are generally easier to remove since they can first be tackled with water. These types of blemishes include wine, soda, and fruit juice. The sooner you treat these spots, the better, but they are generally not difficult to clean with the right cleaning products at hand.
Protein Based Stains
Stains such as blood, urine, or chocolate are protein-based. Avoid exposing these spots to warm water or heat, and instead, immediately treat them with cold water to avoid hardening. They can also become darker and stickier if they come into contact with heat or acid.
Oil Based Stains
Oil and grease spots can be tough to remove since they don't break down with water. On carpets, they can easily spread and adhere to fibers. If you're tackling an oil or grease spot on other fabrics, check out our guide to removing these oil stains with ease.
How to Remove Fresh Carpet Stains
If you have a fresh carpet stain, you’re in luck, believe it or not. It’s a well-known cleaning fact that the sooner you work to remove a carpet blemish, the better. Here’s a primer on what to do with these freshly made spots.
Get Rid of Any Excess Remnants
The key to tackling a freshly made carpet stain is to try to extract large or thick chunks when you still can before they harden or seep further into the fibers. Do this by taking a spatula or blunt knife to the affected area and slowly lift the material away from the carpet.
Lift the Stain Through Blotting
When it comes to removing carpet stains, never scrub or rub at the spot. This will only set the blemish deep into the fibers, making it even more difficult to remove. Instead, take a dry cloth and blot the stain until it is less visible on the cloth. This action will gently but firmly lift the blemish without agitating the carpet.
Spray the Stain with a Natural Stain Remover
Take an enzyme cleaner, like our Natural Stain Remover, and target the stain directly. You'll want to use a plant-based, enzymatic cleaner, as this formula will break down blemishes without damaging the carpet.
Let the Stain Remover Set
Once the stain has been treated with the product, we wait! Let the cleaner set for at least 15 minutes. If you want to be thorough, let the cleaner sit for even longer.
Rinse and Repeat if Necessary
Rinse out the product using a clean cloth, again being sure to gently blot the area rather than vigorously scrub. Repeat this step until you are able to blot the cloth without seeing the stain or discoloration.
How to Remove Old Carpet Stains
If you’re treating a stain that has been on your carpet for longer, don’t lose hope! Removing these spots are possible – here’s how.
Start With Water and Natural Stain Remover
For older stains, take a microfiber cloth and blot the area with warm water and Natural Stain Remover. Continue this until the area is completely saturated.
Let the Cleaner Soak In
For a large stain, you can take something heavy (a few books or a brick, for example) and place it atop the affected area. Leave it there for a few hours and let the product sit. Want to speed up the drying process? Be sure to leave the room well ventilated.
Treat the Stain with Natural Carpet Shampoo
If you have a carpet cleaning machine, add hot water and our Natural Carpet & Upholstery Shampoo. Once the carpet is shampooed, you can use hot water to rinse the cleaner from the surface.
Alternatively, if you're cleaning the stain by hand, take the shampoo and mix it with warm water in a bucket. Lightly agitate the area with a clean cloth that was soaked in the mixture. Follow it up with another cloth or towel saturated with fresh water. Repeat this process until all the cleaner is gone.
How to Keep Carpets Regularly Clean
You don’t have to wait until a stain appears to keep your carpet clean and ready for your next big gathering. Here are tips to maintain their color and cleanliness on a regular basis.
No Shoes Inside
Implementing a no-shoes-indoors policy is one way to ensure less dirt and grime on your carpets. This also ensures less bacteria and germs will be tracked indoors as well. If you have children or small babies crawling around, this is also especially important for keeping the carpet as clean and sanitary as possible.
Treat High Traffic Areas with a Natural Stain Remover
Your entryway and other paths that see a lot of foot traffic need to be regularly maintained. Use our Natural Stain Remover to immediately take on blemishes tracked in by pets or kids. If you know your carpet will be subjected to a rainy or muddy day, it’s also handy to keep it nearby to treat these blemishes as quickly as possible.
Also, if you have a pet and need to deal with urine spots or odors, you can also directly apply our Natural Stain Remover to the area, of if that’s not handy, liquid laundry detergent will also do the trick.
Keep Outside Doormats Clean
Though they don’t come in contact with your carpet, your doormats should be regularly cleaned and aired out to ensure they stay clean. Clean them with a vacuum cleaner and beat or shake them loose to get rid of excess dirt or grime. If they're machine washable, be sure to toss them in the machine regularly as well.
Handle Pet Messes with a Natural Pet Stain & Odor Remover
When it comes to pet stains, we’ve got you covered. Our Natural Pet Stain & Odor Remover uses a formula powered by enzymes to break down spots and odors commonly tracked in by our four-legged friends. Spray it directly on your carpet to neutralize and deodorize stains, and like all Puracy products, it's safe to use around your precious fur babies!
Are Area Rugs Machine Washable?
If you want to remove a stain from an area rug, you may be curious if you can put it in your washing machine to save you some extra time. Before doing so, be sure to check the care instructions or ask the manufacturer if it's safe to do so. If it is, be sure to use the warm water setting on your machine to best treat the area.
If you have a rug or carpet that is severely damaged, you can also take it to a professional to have it steamed, as this process is the least likely to leave it damaged since it does not provide deep cleaning.
Remove Carpet Stains Naturally for Safe, Effective Results
Upgrade your carpet cleaning routine by making sure our Natural Stain Remover and Carpet & Upholstery Shampoo is always handy for big messes. Their natural, plant-powered formulas are tough enough to tackle the trickiest blemishes, while also being safe and gentle on sensitive skin and allergies. You'll never have to stress a stain-covered carpet with our effective, safe carpet cleaning products as regular parts of your cleaning routine.
