A sponsored post from Stain Master
I am smack bang in the thick of dirty carpets right now. Hudson knows no rules. Like any baby, he is blissfully happy making a mess and exploring food. After renovating our house, we decided on floor boards, however we also have a beautiful rug in our living room. Whilst I try my best to keep it clean, inevitably it always ends up covered in food, dirt and every possible tiny little piece of fluff.
So it was with great relief that ideas for keeping your carpets clean came through my inbox recently. If you are prone to spills, it is definitely worthwhile to know a couple of common stain removal remedies. Spills are a fact of life but it doesn’t mean the fabrics and carpets have to be ruined – try these suggestions to keep your home stain-free.
Remedy 1: Prevention Before Cure
If you are lucky enough to have this option, it is worthwhile to invest in a carpet that is resistant to stains. You don’t have to forego comfort or style with a stain resistant carpet; there are plenty of stylish and plush carpets available with high levels of stain protection. Look for carpets that have built-in stain protection included (rather than a stain protection product applied after installation).
Companies such as Stainmaster have some great demonstrations on their www.stainmaster.com.au/page/our-carpet that show how effective stain-resistant carpet is.
Remedy 2: White Vinegar
Vinegar should be a staple of every home’s cleaning cupboard. It is environmentally friendly, cheap to buy and works wonders for a range of cleaning tasks. A half-and-half mixture of water and white vinegar can remove a range of stains, including coffee, tea, beer and even messier spills. Once you have removed the excess liquid, apply the water and vinegar mix. Use a clean cloth and blot the stain. It will lift out without causing damage and it helps neutralise any smell.
Remedy 3: Salt
If you have to deal with a red wine spill, salt just became your new best friend. Sprinkle it over the stain and let it stand for about 5 minutes. The salt crystals will begin absorbing the liquid and drawing the wine out. Salt makes treating stains on large fabric products such as curtains, carpets and sofas easy.
Remedy 4: Shaving Cream
This is the remedy best for cleaning oily or greasy spills. Firstly, make sure it is a plain shaving cream. Avoid using any coloured foams or shaving creams with Aloe Vera or silica as they will make the stain worse. Again, blot any liquid or residue with a cloth before applying the shaving cream. Coat the stain with shaving cream and let it sit for between 15 to 30 minutes. After this time, blot the area with a clean cloth to remove the shaving cream, then use a water and vinegar mix to remove any leftover suds from the carpet.
Remedy 5: Baking Soda
Baking soda is ideal for removing vomit or urine from carpets. Not only is it easy to find in most pantries, it is easy to use on a carpet stain. Blot up what you can before sprinkling baking soda over the spill or stain. Let it dry thoroughly before running a vacuum over the spot. Baking soda is an odour neutraliser, but it also draws moisture away from carpet fibres, leaving the floor less prone to staining or mould.
These creative remedies can prove very valuable next time you are faced with a nasty stain, or your baby decides to throw all of their dinner on the floor, rather than eat it!. While the majority of these products are safe to use on your carpet, it is always recommended you do a spot test first to make sure no further damage is done to the fibres. Good luck with that stain, (and those babies who make them)!
