Today’s article is for those of you with kids or grandkids! Firstly, I have good news… you can still have kids and grandkids and beautiful carpets! Now, if you read our blogs regularly, you will know that the majority of spills/stains can be removed very simply with water and a cloth. Let’s have a quick recap…

• Stains generally occur when a substance dries on a fabric.  Therefore it is very important to try to remove the offending substance while it is still damp (even if this means keeping it damp!)
• To do this use anything absorbent such as towels, tissues etc. and dab the liquid out. Do not rub hard as this tends to spread the mark and can damage the carpet pile. Be very patient, take your time and remove as much as possible this way
• Then using a damp cloth, dab the area gently, and then repeat the above step with a dry cloth to again remove as much moisture as possible

Does this method always work for stains?

It would be great if the above method worked for all spills/stains, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case! There are some spills/stains which will need a slightly different approach.  With 36 years’ experience in cleaning carpets, we have dealt with all kinds of stains. Let’s look at 3 top spills/stains in households with children.

Urine – For those of you with toddlers, you’ll know this is a common ‘spill’ when potty training! So, how do you remove it? Firstly, blot up any excess urine, then dab on a Detergent Vinegar Solution, a little at a time. To make this, just use 1 tsp of gentle detergent and 1 tsp of white vinegar to half a pint of warm water. Work from the edge of the stain inwards, and frequently blot with dry cloths! Follow with the Final Rinse Procedure (as discussed further down this article).

Glue – It’s lovely to do creative play at home with the kids… but it can get messy! So, what do you do when you spill glue on the carpet? Firstly scrape up the excess with a blunt knife. Then dab on a Detergent solution (1 tsp of gentle detergent to half a pint of warm water) starting at the outer edge of the stain. Blot dry and then follow the previous step with an Ammonia solution (one tsp of branded household Ammonia to one cup of warm water) and blot dry. Follow the Final Rinse Procedure (as discussed further down this article).

Chewing Gum – Maybe you have slightly older kids… and now chewing gum is the problem? So, how do you remove chewing gum? Firstly scrape up the excess with a blunt knife. Then dab on some Surgical Spirit followed by a Detergent Vinegar Solution. Blot dry…. and once again use the Final Rinse Procedure.

Final Rinse Procedure

Now with all the above, you need to complete a Final Rinse Procedure – this is because in each case,  you are applying some form of chemical or cleaning solution. To do this, just mix one-part white vinegar and four-parts water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray over the stained area. Dab the area to remove as much moisture as possible. Lay a wad of kitchen towel on the area and place a stack of books on top and leave overnight.

There is still a stain – what should I do?

In the majority of cases, the above techniques should work. However, if there is still a stain, then give Careclean a call on 01245 323989 and we will arrange to come and look at the stain and give you a free cleaning quote. Learn more about our carpet cleaning services.

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Careclean was established in 1984 and has a vast knowledge of carpet and upholstery cleaning and maintenance. We post regular blogs, which often includes carpet and upholstery cleaning tips and guidance on keeping your home clean and healthy. Click here to check out our blog. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on all the latest news and offers.