Posted on
July 12, 2012
by
Dave Markham
Something has just spilled on your favourite rug or carpet. There's a stain
forming. You're worried. Will you be able to remove it? Will the stain set and
stay forever?
Luckily, there's a good chance you can completely lift just about any kind of
stain – if you follow a few guidelines.
The first rule of stain removal is: act fast. The fresher the stain, the easier it
is to lift. So when you notice a stain of any kind, start to work on it right
away. Don't wait.
Begin by trying to dry blot the stain. Avoid the temptation of using a wet
cloth or detergent, at least at this stage of the game. Blot the stain gently
with a clean, dry cloth or absorbent paper towel. Be patient. It may take
several minutes before you see any results.
If dry blotting doesn't completely lift the stain, mix up a combination of one
glass of water with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Again, take a clean cloth or
paper towel, wet it with the water/lemon mixture, and gently blot the area
(test on an inconspicuous area first). Wait five minutes, then try dry blotting
again.
You may have to repeat the above process a few times.
Using a vacuum cleaner directly over the affected area can also help lift
more of the stain.
If, after all your efforts, some of the stain is still there, place a couple of
sheets of paper towel over the stain, with a few books on top to maintain
pressure. Leave those there for 24 hours. Check every hour or so. If you
see stain on the paper towels, you know it's working.
If all else fails, consider calling in a professional cleaner. They know all the
tricks and can often perform a miracle for you!
