Tips to clean spots and spills
Spots and spills are
inevitable… they happen to all of us! All stains are different, which makes
cleaning them a little tricky. Not only do stains need specific treatment based
on what was spilled, but your carpet type also needs to be examined. Carpets vary
in different styles and durability. Your carpet also has delicate fibers that
can get ruined easily if you smear it with the wrong cleaning agent. Home
remedies can end up ruining your carpet, making the stains look bigger and
brighter than before. The best way to treat spills and stains is to understand
the nature of the spill, how long it has been there, and what kind of carpet
you have.
Different Types of Stains
Carpet stains come in all shapes and sizes because they can come
from many different substances. No one stain is like another, therefore they
should each be cleaned and treated differently. For example, a pet stain should
not be treated the same as a salad dressing stain. The most common spills are:
·
Water-Soluble Stains
·
Protein-Based Stains/ Biological Contaminants
·
Fat and oil-based stains
·
Pet Odor Stains
·
Wine Stains
·
Wax
·
Gum
·
Dirt
·
Snow slush
·
Hard candy, etc.
Tips for Common Spills and Stains
Spills and stains are bound to happen, and they are a nuisance
to remove. Stains and spots absorb into your carpet, and deeply embed
themselves into the fibers. Keep in mind that when you use soaps, detergents,
or other cleaning agents, you are bound to end up with residue in your carpet.
Dirt and other substances stick to the residue, creating more dark spots on your
carpet.
But we get it, sometimes you can't get Zerorez® over to your
home immediately and you have to respond fast to the stain. Given the different
kinds of stains and carpet we have to work with, below are 8 simple suggestions
to help you with those annoying stains!
1- Act Quickly
Pick up or vacuum solids. The quicker they are off the floor,
the better! For liquids, act quickly and dab (don't rub) with a washcloth and
to keep them from becoming soaking deep into your carpet.
2- Perform a Clean Test
Just like we mentioned before, carpets are made of all different
materials. Some may respond differently to certain types of stain cleaners than
others. The first general piece of advice is to test the stain remover product
on a small, hidden area of the carpet. Many times, using cleaning products that
you are not familiar with can lead to more stains and discoloration than you
had even before. Be sure to follow the cleaning agent manufacturer's
instructions as best as you possibly can. Once the cleaner and the carpet have
passed the cleaning test, you can apply the product to the spot and rub it
lightly in circular motions.
3- Old Spots
Although it is best to treat stains as quickly as possible, we
may still end up with a few old stains that we want to get rid of. Avoid
rubbing or scrubbing at the stain. Rubbing pushes stains deeper into your
carpet, and scrubbing can ruin your carpet fibers. Avoid using bleach or other
chemicals without thoroughly testing and paying attention to the manufacturer's
instructions.
4- Oil Spots
Oil and grease stains are some of the most notorious stains to
remove because they deflect water. The key is to try and soak up the excess oil
as quickly as possible, because the longer it stays in your carpet, the harder
it will be to remove. Usually, the best way to get rid of these stains is to
call a professional at Zerorez®! Should you decide to tackle the issue on your
own first, you can apply dishwashing soap to the oil spot. Dab the area with a
dampened cloth and some dish cleaner.
5- Blood
Blood and other biological contaminants are extremely tricky to
remove. You can try ammonia on the area, and dab softly with a washcloth. Dish
soap may also work with a damp washcloth. Be careful not to use harmful chemicals
that can end up leaving residue behind in your carpet.
6- Wax
Another annoying stain that clings to carpet fibers is wax. To
help lift wax, place paper towels over the stain. Then place a warm (not hot)
iron or pan on top of the paper towels. This will help soften the wax, helping
it to stick to the paper towels.
7- Fruit Juices
All different kinds of juices contain high amounts of acid and
intense coloring or dye. These two factors combined make fruit spills and
stains everyone's least favorite stain. If the mess is fresh, soak and dab at
the juice spot with a washcloth. The spot can then be treated with a little bit
of club soda or baking soda. If the stain is not lifted after this, or if it is
an older stain, it will require professional cleaning from Zerorez®.
8- Wine Spots
Similar to fruit juices, red wine contains a lot of acidities
and bright coloring. Avoid rubbing at the spill, as it will push it deeper into
your carpet. Dab and soak with a washcloth to avoid any further soaking into
your carpet. Then, try club soda or baking soda on fresh stains. Just like
fruit juices, if those don't work, the wine stain may require a Zerorez®
professional in order for the spot to be remedied.
The Best Carpet Cleaning and
Spot Removal
We understand how daunting carpet spills can be. Here at
Zerorez®, we know all about carpet and stains so that you do not have to! Our
technicians are professionally trained to treat those bothersome spots on your
carpet.
Zerorez® is different from most traditional carpet cleaners. Our
unique cleaning process sets us apart because of our ability to clean carpets
without any soaps, detergents, or harmful chemicals. Instead, our professional
technicians clean with Zr Clean™. This powerful cleaning agent is enhanced
water that has been electrolyzed and oxidized, making it the perfect carpet
cleaner! This revolutionary cleaning solution leaves behind Zero Residue®. It
is safe for the environment, your pets, and your kids. Our carpet dries up to
2x faster than our competitors, so you can resume your normal activities soon
after your appointment.
When it comes to keeping your carpet clean and fresh, Zerorez®
is your safest bet!