Removal of spots and spills should be a part of your regular commercial carpet maintenance program. It helps keep a carpet looking new and clean. However, when an accident happens sometimes you don’t have time to wait for the professionals. If you don’t want spot or a stain to become permanent, quick reaction is of utmost importance.
Most commercial and institutional carpet spots and stains are caused by spills – red wine on the conference room floor, ink on the office carpet or nail polish on the upholstery. A spill that has been allowed to sit untreated will very quickly begin a harmful chemical reaction with the carpet fibers making the stain very hard to remove. If not addressed properly, untreated stain can linger in carpet after many scheduled cleanings. So, immediate action is definitely preferable when it comes to spot removal.
First, you need to identify the type of the substance causing the spot, because each case requires different spotting agents. If the spot is caused by a liquid try to rinse it with water. Use dry towel to absorb the spill and then gently work the water into the stain with a new damp white towel and blot until the stain is gone. Keep in mind to always blot, do not scrub. Scrubbing can further damage the carpet fibers. If water alone doesn’t help, use carpet-spotting solution. In case the spot is caused by a solid substance, you should first use dry solid spotters, and then go to liquid spotters.
Before applying chemical on the stain, don’t forget to carefully read the instructions on the label and test it on a carpet scrap or in an inconspicuous area. If any changes accrue on the tested area do not continue. This means that the cleaning agent you have chosen is not adequate for your carpet.
If you do not have proper chemicals on your hand, here are a few solutions for the most common commercial carpet spots and spills you can DIY:
- How to get coffee stain out of carpet: Gently blot the stain from the outside of the spill to the center and try to absorb as much of the color-carrying liquid as possible for efficient stain removal. Then, mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of warm water. Apply this mixture to the stain with clean, white cloth or a sponge. Blot frequently until the stain disappears. Finally, rinse by spraying with clean water and blot dry.
- How to Get Nail Polish off Carpet: First, try to absorb as much of the stain as possible with a paper towel or clean cloth. While removing the stain be gentle and do not rub as this might cause the stain to go deeper into carpet fibers. Then, use non-acetone fingernail polish remover and apply it directly on the stain. If your carpet is dark, instead of nail polish remover try using hair spray or rubbing alcohol. Gently scrub the spotted area until the nail polish stain is no longer visible.
- How to get Ink out of carpet: Wet a clean towel and use it to blot the stain, starting at the edges and working your way inwards to prevent the stain from spreading. After that, spray the hairspray onto the ink stain and blot it with clean cloth. Continue re-spraying and blotting until the stain is removed.
After you’ve removed the stain, rinse the area with warm water to remove the cleaning solution. Extract the rinse water and let the carpet dry. If the spot still hasn’t disappeared after several repetitions, consider hiring carpet cleaning professionals because they have ways to remove the toughest and the most stubborn stains.
