Every homeowners worst nightmare is a stained carpet and the million dollar question is “How do I get it out?” Someone accidentally spills a glass of beer or wine. Your child accidentally bumps something off the dinner table. Your dog drags mud and dirt in from outside. There are all kinds of ways a carpet can get hit with a stain and none of them are fun to clean up. What’s worse is that if any of these stains are left unattended for more than a few minutes, permanent damage can be done to your rug, which will then need to be restored by a professional.

Below are some of the most common —and difficult to clean — carpet stains.

1. Red Wine – This is the stereotypical carpet spill. Somebody got a little too tipsy and let go of their drink at last night’s party. Once this happens, try dabbing the stain with a thick towel. Do not smear the stain back and forth with the towel. You’ll just rub it deeper into the carpet. You can also try adding a little bit of salt to the carpet as it dries, which will help absorb the liquid. You can use a small dab of soap or detergent and continue to blot the area. Blot again with a dry towel once the stain is gone.
2. Urine – Fido is in the dog house and not the one outside in the yard. Once your pet has made an accident, you’ll need to act quickly to avoid permanent damage to your carpet. Clean the carpet first, potty train your dog later. White vinegar can be a big help here as it will help eliminate any odor. Hydrogen Peroxide with a little baking soda also works well to completely remove any remnant of urine from the carpet. Just be careful with the peroxide and make sure it will not discolor the carpet.
3. Vomit – What if it wasn’t your dog but your child or even you who made a big mess with bodily fluids? Ammonia works well here, just be sure to mix it with water. Spray, don’t drench the area. Afterwards, you’ll need to get the ammonia out of the carpet, as that’s no good either. Use a tablespoon of detergent and work it in gently with a cloth towel. Dab, don’t rub.
4. Blood– Blood is easiest to remove when it’s still wet. Act quickly, using cold water to drench the area. Don’t use too much, or use hot water, as this can spread the stain. Hydrogen Peroxide will also help, just again make sure to test it first to make sure there will be no discoloration.
5. Grape Juice – This can be one of the worst stains due to it’s dark, purple color. Blot with a cloth, don’t rub, to get the excess juice out. Again, rubbing the stain will just drive it deeper into the carpet. Then try just a little bit of  detergent to get the rest of it out.
6. Warning – Please know there is always a  risk when using ammonia or peroxide in the wrong amount.  Always pretest a spot on your carpet in a space that’s not that visible just in case.

Carpet stains are one of the most common problems that occur in your home. If you have a pet or a small child, you pretty much know it’s going to happen eventually. By keeping some of the products mentioned above on hand, you can be ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble.

We offer Green Seal Certified – environmentally friendly products and hypoallergenic, biodegradable, non-toxic, safe products. We also have the only E.P.A. certified green product for protecting your carpets and upholstery after cleaning. With Spalding Carpet Cleaners you can have peace of mind knowing that your family and pets are safe with us!

Southwest Florida’s #1 Choice for top quality Carpet Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Ceramic Tile & Grout Cleaning and Water Extraction. Now proudly serving Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs. Call (239) 910-3794 today for a free consultation.