“Darn it!” If you’ve ever spilled a glass of red wine or watched one of the kids sends a tumbler full of Kool-Aid cascading onto the carpet, those words have likely crossed your lips. While many things might be running through your mind in that moment, you have to focus on the best way to address the colored spot that now adorns your carpet. There are a number of things you should do, and a couple you definitely shouldn’t. The Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repair team has you covered! We’ve assembled this list of actions to take immediately to help ensure that stain doesn’t stick around.
Tip #1: Act Quickly to Remove Liquid
The first step is to extract as much liquid as possible out of the carpet. To do that, blot the affected area with a white or light-colored cloth. Apply pressure with the heel of your hand to absorb as much of the liquid as you possibly can. Remember, you only want to blot the area. Do not rub! The more it seeps into your carpet, the more time it will have to adhere to the carpet fibers, increasing the likelihood of permanent damage. Also, avoid using colored or printed towels on the spill. The dye from the material may transfer onto your carpet, leaving you with an even bigger mess than you started with.
Tip #2: Be Careful Using Over The Counter Cleaners
Stains and spills are always unexpected and obviously never welcome, so your first instinct might be to reach for a bottle of anything that could take care of the mess. But you might be inviting bigger problems. Before using any over the counter spot removers, which may contain certain ingredients that may cause more problems than they fix, try using warm water in a spray bottle and a white rag. Commercially available cleaning products are typically low quality, and most contain oil, petroleum, silica, or other chemicals. These can leave residue on your carpet, break down fibers, and ultimately, attract more dirt. You might also find different remedies for specific stains online. But be careful what you use on the carpet, because we have seen many customers left with a permanent stain that could have been avoided. If you are using an over-the-counter product, start by applying it in a very small area to see if it works. If not, set it aside and call a professional!
Tip #3: Use Quality Products Formulated for Carpet
If you’re a past customer of Sams, you received a free bottle of our “Outta Sight” spot remover. Outta Sight is trusted by homeowners throughout the St. Louis area, because it is specifically formulated to help you combat colorful spills without damaging your carpet or leaving residue behind. If you do not have a bottle of our Outta Sight spot remover, we recommend avoiding the DIY route completely. Using a product that isn’t made specifically for carpets could cause more damage. And that’s the last thing we want!
Tip #4: Bring in a Carpet Stain Professional
Ultimately, the best preventive action you can take is calling in a professional. We know the impact that different spills can have on carpet, and can create a solution to address the spot without damaging your carpet fibers. Going it alone and using improper chemicals and techniques can have negative long-term effects on your carpet. We want to help you avoid that. The Sams team cares about protecting your investment, and is committed to helping you eradicate unsightly stains.
Next time the red wine or Kool-Aid spills on your carpet, avoid the panic. Know that Sams is on your side! If you’re in the St. Louis region and you have a spot or stain you’re not quite sure how to handle, call the Sams team! We’ll assess the situation and deploy a solution tailored to overcoming your carpet stain.
