Rug Cleaning El Dorado Hills CA can improve the appearance and prolong the life of a rug. Proper care includes regular vacuuming and timely attention to spills or stains. Stains left on rugs can oxidize and become permanent.
Place a clean cloth or towel under a spill as soon as it occurs and blot until the stain is completely removed. This prevents the spill from seeping into the fibers and causing damage.
Pets are beloved family members, but they can make a mess. Urine is a common problem that can discolor your rugs or carpet and cause odors, and it’s important to act quickly when it happens. Removing set-in urine can be difficult, but it’s possible with some time and effort and the right cleaning products.
Start by blotting the urine spot with a paper towel. Don’t rub it; this will only spread the stain and cause more damage. Keep blotting until the spot is dry or no more of the urine is coming up on the towel. If you’re using a store-bought cleaner, read the label carefully and find one that is safe for your type of rug or carpet. If your carpet is natural and made from wool, silk blends or grass materials, you’ll need a special type of cleaner that will not damage those fibers.
You can also try a household product such as white vinegar, which is safe for most carpeting and will not damage the natural fibers of your rugs. Distilled vinegar is a common kitchen staple, but it’s always best to spot-test any cleaning product on an inconspicuous area first.
If you’re using vinegar, dilute it with water for a 1:1 solution and use a clean white cloth to work it into the stain spot. Again, be careful not to rub the spot; this can cause further damage and may push the stain deeper into the carpet or rug.
Once the area is dry, vacuum it to remove any lingering odors. It’s a good idea to use a deodorizer as well so that your home will smell fresh and clean. Be sure to check the ingredients of any odor-removal products you’re considering; some contain strong chemicals that can damage your rugs or irritate your skin, and some will also leave behind a toxic residue.
If you’ve tried the DIY approach and still can’t get rid of a stubborn dog or cat urine stain, it may be time to call in a professional. Experienced cleaners have methods for minimizing discoloration and disinfecting the affected areas, so they’ll be able to help you restore your rugs to their original appearance and fresh scent.
Food and Drink Stains
The best way to get rid of food and drink stains on your rug is to act quickly. The longer you let a spill sit, the more time it has to set into your carpet fibers and create a permanent stain. Whether it is juice, coffee, chocolate, or any other food or beverage spill, the key to removing it is the same: blot it, don’t scrub it.
Start by grabbing a couple of clean white cloths or paper towels and blotting the spot. Try to blot it until you don’t see any more liquid coming up, but be careful not to push the stain further into the fabric. Next, apply a solution of vinegar and baking soda (to have the texture of a paste) to the stained area of the rug. Use a brush or an old toothbrush to work the paste into the rug fibers, then let it sit. Afterward, vacuum the spot to pull up any remaining baking soda.
Most food and drink stains contain dyes. These dyes can be organic, such as the natural dyes found in grape juice or berries, or synthetic, like the colorant used to make children’s and sports drinks, decaffeinated coffee, or a cola. In order to treat the stain, first you must identify which type of dye it is.
If the stain is made up of organic dyes, you can use a product like Chemspec Stain Exit to remove it from your rug. This product works well on many different types of stains, but it is important to test it in an inconspicuous area of the rug before you begin using it on your stain. If the dye is a synthetic, you can use an oxygenating cleaner like Oxi-Action to help lift the stain from your carpet. Just be sure to use a small amount of cleaning agent and rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Cornstarch Stains
Grease stains are notoriously difficult to remove from fabrics. Whether it’s from working on your car, cooking, or simply tracking in oily handprints from the kids, grease can quickly turn your favorite clothes into useless rags. To avoid a permanent disaster, it’s best to treat the stain as soon as possible, before it has a chance to set. Fortunately, there is an easy, natural cleaning solution that you probably already have in your home: cornstarch.
To use this handy trick, simply sprinkle a generous amount of corn starch on the stained fabric and allow it to sit for an hour or so. Then, vacuum. This will help to remove the majority of the stain. If the stain is still present, try using a liquid detergent to wash the clothing and rinse well. Repeat as needed until the stain is completely removed.
If you don’t have any liquid detergent on hand, another method that is often successful is to create a paste with water and cornstarch. Apply the paste to the grease stain and let it dry. When the paste is dry, brush away any excess cornstarch and vacuum the fabric. This method can also be used to remove tarnish from silver.
In addition to removing grease and blood stains, cornstarch can also be used to clean many other types of stains from both textiles and furniture. In fact, it’s a good idea to have some dry cornstarch on hand, as it can be used as a gentle, non-toxic substitute for many household cleaners.
For example, it’s possible to get rid of stubborn ink stains by soaking the stain with a mixture of milk and cornstarch. This will allow the mixture to absorb a portion of the ink, allowing it to be brushed off with a toothbrush. This trick will work on most fabrics, including cotton and linen. However, it’s important to note that it may not be effective on fabrics that aren’t water-tolerant. This includes silk and other delicate fabrics. Be sure to test this on a small corner of the affected fabric before trying it on your entire piece.
Talcum Powder Stains
Many people use talcum powder for personal hygiene, but it can also be used to help get rid of stubborn stains and to untie tangled knots. This versatile household product also works as an organic ant repellent and helps keep wood cabinets caulked tight. For best results, sprinkle talcum powder in areas where pests tend to nest or hang out, and around known points of entry to the house.
Grease stains on fabrics can be a real nuisance. They are very difficult to remove, but you can sometimes prevent them by treating the stain before it reaches the washing machine. Sprinkle a generous amount of talcum powder* directly on the grease stain, and allow it to soak in. This will usually remove most of the grease before it can stain the fabric. If not, treat with a commercial pre-wash spot and stain remover, and launder in the hottest water safe for that fabric. If the stain still persists, a spot treatment with ammonia might be needed.
To clean a rug, place it on a vinyl or concrete surface, and apply commercial carpet-cleaning foam over the surface, rubbing in the product as directed. Then rinse or vacuum the rug and allow it to dry thoroughly before replacing it.
For a room-size natural-fiber or wool rug, check the care label for washing instructions before using any cleaners. If the rug is machine washable, be sure to use a mesh laundry bag or zippered pillowcase to protect it from the agitator and to prevent the fibers from getting caught in the wash cycle. If the label indicates that the rug should be dry-cleaned, do so to avoid dye bleeding.
If the rug cannot be cleaned, try covering the stain with talcum powder, cornmeal or baking soda to absorb excess moisture. To absorb odors, sprinkle the affected area with baking soda, and allow it to dry completely. If the odor is particularly persistent, soak a cloth with white vinegar and press it against the stain to remove the smell. If the stain is not removed, consult a professional carpet cleaner.
