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How to Tell the Difference Between Carpet Stains and Spots

Dec 29, 2014 | Upholstery Cleaning

carpet spots stains

Do you have a stubborn stain in your carpet? …or is it a spot? Although it may seem unimportant this is what ultimately calls the shots. Everyone likes to keep a clean home, for this reason it is essential to know what type of carpet blunder you are dealing with and what method to employ in order to restore your carpet or rug back to its beautiful self. Spots and stains on carpet can be a disaster for anyone that likes to keep a clean home, and depending on how long the stain or spot has been untreated and the pigment of your carpet’s fibers, the treatment method may vary greatly.

Spots and stains are common occurrences to every household. Whether it be chocolate, blood, pet feces, gum, mildew, nail polish or colored drinks (such as Gatorade) every stain is unattractive and diminishes the value or your carpet. But not all mishaps are created equal. To help you with this we have highlighted a few tips to help you determine between the two and know how to deal with each carpet blunder correctly—and know when it’s time to call Complete Chem-Dry of Lake Orion (before it gets worse!)

Identifying Between Spots and Stains

The main difference between spots and stains is that spots, as a general rule of thumb, can be “felt” where the carpet blunder occurred. This is the main difference between spots and stains. Although it is desired to remove all traces of spots and stains as quickly as possible, it is often easier to apply a do-it-yourself treatment to restore your carpet (until your next professional cleaning) than it is to completely remove a stubborn stain. Below are some tips for such treatments.

The Best Way to Deal with Stains

When dealing with stains the cleaning process is relatively straight forward. First, vacuum up the stain as much as you can. Second, blot damp towels saturated in water onto the stain to dilute the chemicals as much as possible. Finally, continue to blot until all the moisture has been absorbed. Never scrub back and forth when trying to remove a stain. This may worsen the problem and result in having to replace the carpet altogether, and always do your best to treat the stain as quickly as possible.

While the methods above will remove most stains, depending on the type of substance spilt, the treatment method may vary. In fact, while some stains are relatively simple to remove yourself, others can be nearly impossible. It all depends on the chemical make-up of the food or drink that is spilled on your carpet. While some may be cleaned up with only water-based mix, some may require a more serious solution. Tea, sports drinks, ink, mustard, and bleach, are some of the worst stains. Don’t be afraid to call Complete Chem-Dry of Lake Orion for additional help when dealing with these types.

The Best Way to Deal with Spots

As with stains, the sooner you treat your spot, the better chance you have of removing it from your carpet’s fibers. A few examples of stains are make-up, feces, vomit, or gum. Some spot blunders, such as spilling nail polish, may require the help of a professional. If you can’t get it out yourself by combining 2/3 cup of cold water with 1/3 cup white vinegar, contact Complete Chem-Dry of Lake Orion to do the dirty work. We hope this post has helped and that you will be able to restore your carpet to its finest state.

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