Has the Christmas party season left your carpets needing attention? Chocolate and wine are some of the most common stains that we deal with on carpets, but let’s face it; it’s not just Christmas that ruins carpets! Here are Lytham St Annes Carpet Cleaning‘s five handy hints on how to treat carpet stains:

1.Don’t Panic

Keep the carpet as dry as possible, don’t over-wet it as you risk damaging the backing materials, as well as making the stain harder to deal with. Always use detergents that are specifically made for cleaning carpets. Stay away from washing-up liquids, laundry powders, household bleach and disinfectants.

Use your carpet cleaning detergents at the recommended dilutions. Scrape up or blot any excesses prior to treatment. Do not scrub or rub. Doing this will only push the stain further into the carpet fibres.

2. Greasy Stains

Whether it’s chocolate, butter, oil, lipstick or more, follow these 5 steps to get your carpet clean:

1. Use a small quantity of surgical spirit and apply to cotton wool or cotton buds.
2. Using the cotton wool, gently apply the surgical spirit to the edges of the stain, dabbing slowly towards the centre. Remember – do not rub!
3. Don’t over-soak the stain. It might darken the carpet initially.
4. Once the surgical spirit is applied to the full stain, use kitchen towel to gently blot. Repeat until the stain no longer transfers onto the towel.
5. Dry the stain slowly using a hairdryer on a medium heat.

3. Water-based Stains

Had a wine spillage? Then firstly blot up any excess with absorbent material such as kitchen towel. Remember – do not rub! Then:

1. If you have a ” wet pick-up” vacuum, use it.
2. Using tepid water, wet the area using cotton wool or a piece of clean sponge. Do not over-wet.
3. Then, using kitchen roll, blot. Repeat until the stain has gone.
4. Dry with a hairdryer, keeping it moving at all times to prevent watermarking.

4. Dried Stains

Moved back the settee to find an old, hidden stain? Don’t worry. Follow our tips:

1. Make a solutions using 2 litres of tepid water, 1/4 of a teaspoon of carpet shampoo and an eggcup full of white vinegar.
2. Using cotton wool, re-wet the area using the solution.
3. Blot using kitchen roll. If the stain is still transferring onto the kitchen roll, repeat step 2.
4. When the kitchen roll is clear, place 5-6 layers of kitchen roll on top of the stain.
5. Place on top a heavy object, such as a telephone directory and leave for 24 hours. The time will allow any stain in the base of the fibres to rise to the top.

5. Call In The Professionals

If you’ve taken our handy hints and the stain is still there, then you need to call in the professionals. If you live in the Lytham St Annes/Blackpool/Fylde Coast area then give us a call on 01253 713769 or 07817 111259 for a free quote.

Lytham St Anne’s Cleaning use only the best and safest cleaning methods and we are approved by Lancashire County Council Trading standards. We are a family-run business providing the very best service to both our domestic and business customers.  Why not check out our testimonials?

If you book a carpet clean during January 2016, we will offer you a 10% discount. Don’t miss out. Contact us today.

Ian Squire – Proprietor