Month: January 2024

There is no doubt that shoe polish can make your shoes shine brighter and amp up their look. But what if this same shoe polish smears right in the middle of your carpet? It doesn’t sound like the best situation, right? Although throwing shoe polish on the carpet or keeping the shoe brush upside down is rare, it does happen. Accidents happen, and in such scenarios, you have no choice but to call your local carpet cleaner, or get your hands on it immediately and clean up the mess as soon as possible.

Need to know how to get that shoe polish out of your carpet? You are in the right place because we are here to save the day. With a few handy ingredients and the right moves and what not to do (i.e. NEVER scrub your stain in the outward direction; you will only make it worse), you will get rid of that horrible stain in no time.

Scoop, Scoop, Scoop

If you got a large amount of matte polish on your carpet, scrape the polish as much as you can very carefully. You can use the sleek edge of a butter knife or scoop it up with a spoon. However, if you are dealing with a liquid-based polish, take some cotton balls and place them gently on the stain so that they absorb the liquid. Keep collecting the cotton balls in a paper bag to avoid creating any further mess. As the cotton balls suck up sufficient liquid, you will see that the color of the polish is now fading to a grayish tone.

Blot, Blot, Blot

Rubbing alcohol is a great thing to have on hand for cleaning, it can also be used to remove nail polish stains, and paint stains, in addition to ones that result from shoes polish. Pour some rubbing alcohol on the stained area and grab a clean paper towel. Now it’s time to blot so that the towel absorbs the dirty polish. This may take a while, but it will be worth it. Keep doing this until you see that the paper towel is coming up clean, even after holding it on the stain for about thirty seconds. This means that the paper towel did its job and blotted everything it possibly could.

Clean, Clean, Clean

Even after blotting, you will see that the actual colors of the carpet are not visible yet, and it is still giving an undesirable appearance. But worry not because dealing with it is very easy. Put a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a cup of warm water and give it a nice whip. Sprinkle a few drops of the diluted solution onto the stained surface of the carpet and then, using a laundry brush, start brushing the fibers of the carpet thoroughly. Your carpet will get a little foamy, but that’s okay (you can easily take out the foam with some warm water).

By now, your carpet should be as good as new. However, if you still find that your carpet doesn’t look nice (it is possible if you let the stain stay for long), you can use a solution of one part vinegar and four parts water. Pour a generous amount of solution onto the carpet, cover it with a microfiber towel, and let it sit for a few hours, preferably overnight. In the morning, remove the towel and implement the steps given above and voila! 

Paint is tough to clean from a variety of materials, and carpets and furniture can be particularly difficult to remove. The most important aspect in this case is time: It’s important to clean up spilled paint as soon as possible to avoid leaving a lifelong stain carpet. Once the paint has dried, it is considered set—and, regrettably, it is almost impossible to erase without the assistance of a professional carpet cleaning service in Northampton or replacing your carpeting entirely. It is also crucial to use the right tools for the job. 

Here’s all you need to know about how to remove paint out of carpet.

The exact procedure to use will depend on the type of paint – water based, or oil based. Either way, you will need to exercise some caution as the cleaning methods call for the use of water. Some carpet materials such a sisal and jute are sensitive to excessive water.

Water-Based Paint

Step 1: The spreading of water-based paint is rather rapid. A quick response to a spill will assist in avoiding or limiting lasting damage to your carpet.

Step 2: You will need to gather paper towel, a clean towel, light soap or detergent (must be chlorine and bleach free), a soft scrubbing brush, and a rug cleaner.

Step 3: Remove as much extra paint as you can with paper towels before beginning to work on the stain. Start at the fringes of the spill and work inwards making sure not to press down to hard.

Step 4: Follow this up by applying a little water to the affected area. Be careful as too much water may increase to stained are.

Step 5: Never rub, always dab. Rubbing a stain may enlarge the affected area and may cause it to become more deeply embedded in the fibres of the carpet. Dabbing helps to lift stains off the rug’s surface and out of the rug’s binding, keeping them. Try to prevent the paint from soaking through to the binding as you may end up with mildew in your carpet.

Step 6: Continue to dab while adding small quantities of water. You will need to be patient as it may take many attempts before there is observable progress or to entirely remove the paint stain.

Step 7: Create a soap and water solution and dab the paint off the carpet to remove any remaining paint. Alternatively, a chlorine and bleach free detergent and water solution may be used. If using dish soap use it sparingly and properly dilute it in water, or you’ll end up with an even greater mess.

Step 8: Apply the cleaning solution to the affected area with a clean cloth or towel and dab off the solution. Repeat the process until the stain is removed. If necessary, use the scrubbing brush to gently scrub the stained area making sure to move from the fringes to the centre.

Step 9: If the stain is not completely removed by the process described above, you may need to use commercially available cleaners. If you do, be sure to follow the instructions precisely. Be sure to check that the cleaning solution is safe to use in your home and does not include harmful chemicals. Also, do a test application an inconspicuous area of your carpet to ensure that the cleaning solution does not cause discoloration.      

Final Step: If all else fails, call for help of a professional. Professional rug and carpet cleaners are well-versed in the most effective methods of removing stains from carpets without causing damage to them or compromising the integrity of the colouring, pattern or pile.

Oil-Based Paint

Step 1: Take action quickly. When it comes to removing a stain, time is of the utmost, but this is particularly true when it comes to oil-based paint. Oil-based stains may adhere to the fibres of your rug very quickly, making ii critical to begin cleaning the process as soon as possible to prevent a long-lasting stain to your carpet.

Step 2: For the cleaning you will need rubber/disposable gloves, paper towels, a putty knife, light soap or detergent (that does not include chlorine or bleach), an old soft cloth, and a carpet cleaner. When selecting a carpet cleaner, get one that is specifically developed to remove oil stains. This will minimise risk of removing colour or damaging the integrity of the carpet fibres themselves.

Step 3: If the paint has not dried up, use the paper towel to dab up as much of the paint as possible. Start from the fringes and work your way in and avoid pressing to hard. If the paint has congealed or dried, use a putty knife to gently scrape away any extra paint from the carpet. Place the knife beneath the paint spill and gently scrape off the paint with it. Repeat the process until you have removed all of the extra paint. Avoid scrubbing with the knife since this may aggravate the stain.

Step 4: Make a cleaning solution by mixing a light detergent or dish soap with cold water to remove the rest of the stain from the carpet. A variety of materials are used to make carpets and rugs; some of these materials are sensitive to certain chemicals, which may cause harm. Try out the solution on an inconspicuous part of your carpet to be sure that it will not cause any damage.  

Step 5: Apply small amounts of soapy water to the stain and then dab it away with a clean cloth. Do not rub or scrub as it will move the paint deeper into the carpet’s fibres. Keep repeating the process as it may take many rounds to complete. Keep the carpet from being saturated as the paint stain may spread. For stubborn stains you may need to gently use a soft brush.

Step 6: If the stain is still visible, a professional cleaning solution should be used specifically designed for the purpose. Be careful to read the bottle for step-by-step instructions and check whether the cleaner is safe for your carpet before applying.

Final Step: If all your efforts fail, you will need to assess if it will be worthwhile to approach a professional carpet cleaner. The good ones have an in-depth understanding of the best ways to remove a variety of stains ranging from spilt milk to shoe polish stains without destroying your carpet.

Paint stains are probably the most difficult to remove, particularly in the case of large spills. It is essential to start the cleaning process quickly. Ideally, this should be while the paint is still wet. You will need to be careful not to spread the stain and you will need to be gentle so as not to push the paint deeper into your carpet pile.

What could happen to your beloved carpet in the worst-case scenario? For most of us, spilling milk on the carpet isn’t a huge concern, but it won’t be until things get serious. Milk can quickly penetrate deep into the fibres of carpets due to their high absorbency, causing persistent stains and unpleasant odours.

These stains can be a lot more trouble than say your typical paint stain or ink stain, which just sits on your carpet. Milk bacteria will grow and convert natural carbohydrates into lactic and acetic acids. As a result, the affected area will turn yellow and emit a bad odour. Is it possible to get rid of that odour? Follow these simple yet effective tips:

What’s the first step?

Before you start cleaning, keep in mind the following tricks to make the cleaning process easier:

• Avoid rubbing at a stain to prevent milk from getting further into the fibres;
• Using a clean towel, mop up any excess liquid first;
• Perform a spot test on a hidden area of the carpet;
• Wipe at the spot to remove as much as possible;
• Use a carpet cleanser and a tiny, soft brush to remove any remaining marks.

How to remove milk smell from your carpet

There are several ways that might help you save your carpet:

1. Dish soap and Ammonia

Combine 2 cups lukewarm water with 1 tbsp. of dish soap. Slowly clean in a circular motion. Slightly rub the stain from the outside in tiny, circular strokes towards the centre with the moist cloth. Allow as long as possible to decrease and disrupt the milk stains. Clean the stained area using a sponge soaked in a mixture of 2 cups lukewarm water and 1 tbsp. of Ammonia.

Dip another sponge in cold water and thoroughly clean the area. Using a clean sponge wet with cold water, rinse the area. After that, use a clean, dry towel to absorb as much moisture as possible.

2. Ground coffee

Drop some fresh ground coffee over the area that’s creating the odour. The fragrance should be quickly absorbed by coffee grounds. Once the coffee grounds have absorbed the liquid and are no longer smelling, vacuum them up (give it an hour or two).

3. Vinegar

Allow half an hour to settle after spraying vinegar immediately on the stain. Using a clean cloth, blot the stain or use a steam cleaner to clear the stained area. Allow time for the area to dry. The vinegar smell, as well as the scent of spilt milk, will go away as time goes on.

4. Baking soda

Make a cleaning solution by mixing one teaspoon of bleach-free washing up liquid and two cups of warm water. Apply your solution to the odour-causing area using a sponge.

Then, right onto the carpet where the spilt milk odour resides, pour baking soda. Allow the baking soda to sit overnight. Clean up the baking soda with a little brush the next morning, and then vacuum the area completely.

Call a professional…

Professional carpet cleaning will remove the milk smell from your carpet more thoroughly than you can. It will help your carpet last longer, so you won’t need to splurge on a new carpet in case you ruin it. Not only will a professional carpet cleaning service help fight milk stains, but it’ll also eliminate dirt, allergens, and grime.

The sight of your toddler gliding the tip of a pen across your carpet can be pretty disturbing. But seeing that your pet (or toddler, of course) has spilled an entire bottle of ink on your vintage tapestry is enough to cause you a heart attack.

But not to worry, there’s always a way out. This article will guide you through it. It will show you how to get ink out of the carpet.

But then, no matter what you do, never let the ink dry on your carpet – act as soon as it is spilled. Ink contains several resins and dyes that, when dried, may give you a tough time when you try to remove them from your carpet without professional help from our Northampton based carpet cleaners.

For Water-Based Inks,

Water-based inks are pretty straighforward to remove from most materials and will not require harsh chemicals. Follow the steps below if you’re curious to know how to remove water-based ink stain out of your carpet:

1. Mix dishwashing liquid with warm water.
2. Soak a white microfiber towel with the mixture, and gently blot the ink stain until it is removed. Don’t forget to change the towel once it is saturated with the ink. You don’t want to keep spreading the ink to your entire carpet.
3. Now rinse the area with clean water and another microfiber towel, and then allow the carpet to dry.

For Permanent/Solvent-based Inks,

Permanent/solvent-based inks are usually more difficult to remove. Instead of water, they are composed of larger compounds that you’ll need to break down to detach them from your carpet.

1. Dampen a white microfiber towel with some isopropyl alcohol, and then gently mop up the ink stain. Change the towel as soon as it gets saturated with the stain to avoid transferring ink back to the carpet.
2. Continue step 1 until the ink stain is completely removed.
3. Soak another towel with a mild solution of water and white vinegar, and then rinse the spot with the solution. This rinsing should remove traces of isopropyl alcohol from the carpet to avoid damaging its fibers.
4. You can also rinse the vinegar mixture using another towel damp with clean water or let the carpet dry.

For Ball Point Inks,

1. Spray a liberal amount of lacquer hair spray on the stain to break down the component of the ink for faster detachment from your carpet.
2. Allow the spray sometimes on the carpet before blotting it using a clean microfiber towel. At this point, try not to scrub. Simply dab from the carpet towards yourself.
3. When the ink stain is completely gone, allow the area to dry and vacuum it up.

For Dried Ink Stain,

You can damage your rug if you try any of these methods with dried ink. So, you may want to seek professional help if the ink has already dried up on your carpet, especially if your carpet is made from delicate fibers.

Contact our experienced carpet cleaning company with details about the type of ink and the nature of your carpet. We’ll be able to help with them and a wide range of other issues from lingering spilt milk odours, to paint stains in the carpet. Give us a call today!

Tomato sauce serves as a handy ingredient during the preparation and serving of most meals. No doubt, you’ll always find a bottle or two of this delicious puree in every kitchen and a portion or more of it on the sides of dishes like French fries, beans, pasta, and noodles. Sure, it adds flavour and colour to your meals until some of it reaches your carpet.

Tomato sauce stains can be stubborn and require you to blot it off the moment it happens. Like red wine stains, if left untouched for too long, this stain can become nearly impossible to remove by conventional stain removal methods.

So, did a tomato sauce stain happen on a patch of carpet in your living room or dining area? Are you looking for quick, eco-friendly, and DIY ways to blot out that annoying patch of tomato sauce stain from your carpet? Then this guide should be easy and helpful. The items used in this guide are eco-friendly, and you can easily find them around your home.

Method 1 – Dishwashing Soap Method

Items You Need

Spatula or bread knife

Plate

White microfiber or terry cloth

Dishwashing soap

White vinegar

Method

Begin by removing excess sauce from the stained area to make cleaning more effective. Use a spatula or a bread knife to scrape off tomato sauce from your carpet’s surface lightly. While collecting the excess sauce, place the plate very close to the stained area to avoid dropping some sauce after scooping it from the stained area. Also, be careful not to dig into the stain, as this would make removal more difficult.

With the paper towel, blot out remnant sauce from the carpet. Remember not to apply excess force; otherwise, you’ll deepen the stain.

Combine one spoon of dishwashing soap with a cup of warm water, then apply the mixture to the stain to soak up the stained area. Double the measurements if the stained area is vast so that the mixture can cover the stained part of your carpet. Let the water-soap mix sit on the carpet for about 20 minutes.

Now, daub a microfiber or terry cloth on the area to soak up the soap + sauce residue. Complete this step gradually until you’ve soaked up the stain.

Pour a small quantity of cool, clean water on the carpet to rinse out the dishwashing mixture.

Soak up the moisture using another microfiber cloth until the carpet is dry.

If your carpet is brightly coloured, you may still find that the stain leaves a faint-coloured residue. Soak a portion of another towel in a mixture of white vinegar and water, then blot the area with the towel until the stain is completely removed.

Method 2 – Lemon Method

Items You Need

Half a lemon

Microfiber towels

Spatula

Plate

Method

First, remove excess tomato sauce from your carpet using the spatula and plate as in method 1.

Gently rub the lemon on the stain to get enough lemon juice on your carpet without increasing the stained area. Allow the liquid to sit on the carpet for about 15 minutes.

Once 15 minutes have elapsed, sprinkle some water on the carpet and blot the stain with a clean microfiber cloth.

Continue steps 2 and 3 till the carpet area is entirely stain-free. Afterwards, air dry the carpet or dry it up with a fan.

Conclusion

With the steps above, there’d be no need to panic the next time you mistakenly smear some tomato sauce on your carpet. All you need to do is run into your kitchen and prep yourself to fight that annoying stain. And if you would prefer to hire a professional you can utilise our low moisture carpet cleaning company. We’ll have your carpets dry within 30 minutes, so you don’t have to experience the inconvenience of waiting several hours for wet carpet to dry.