How to Get Rid of Super Old Carpet Stains
The new year is all about a clean slate and improving upon our old selves. Out with the old and in with the new, some say about this time of year. A time to get rid of things or tend to unattended items that have been haunting us. What better time to take care of those old stains in your carpets? You know the ones that seem to be hopeless just hanging out in your floor for who knows how long yet they still haunt the very back of your mind.
Try some of these stain removal home remedies to see if those old stains can be a thing of the past and let you launch into the new year with a fresh home.
Try Some Good Ol’ Hand Dish Soap and Water First
You may be surprised by this, but some stains may come out with a simple homemade all-purpose stain cleaning solution. The best all-purpose solution we recommend is some simple gentle hand dishwashing liquid soap, without a bleaching agent, and water. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of soap with a cup of warm water. Apply to stain gently blotting from the outside toward the center rinse and repeat if necessary.
Club Soda or Hydrogen Peroxide
The bubbles in club soda can be surprisingly effective on older stains especially set in dirt and blood. Apply some club soda to the stain and let it sit for several minutes then work it in with a brush. When the stain is lifted rinse with water and use several paper towels to soak up excess moisture or a clean dry white cloth.
For seemingly tough stains bring out the hydrogen peroxide. Be careful with hydrogen peroxide use on carpet as it can act as a bleaching agent and may take the color out of some floors. Test it on an unseen area of carpet before applying to stains. Once you have determined it is ok to use on your floor, pour some into a spray bottle and spray directly onto the old stain and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Next, grab a stiff brush and use a bit of elbow grease ( be careful not to get overly aggressive and ruin the carpet fiber.) Once the stain is lifted rinse with water and soak up all excess liquid.
To give these solutions, even more, stain-fighting power you can sprinkle some salt over the stain after applying the peroxide or club soda.
Ammonia or Vinegar
Vinegar is an effective all-purpose carpet cleaner helpful in getting out a large number of different items. Mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups of plain water, apply it to the stain and blot working from the outside toward the center. Rinse from the carpet.
Try ammonia for a little more punch, mix together a cup of water with two tablespoons of ammonia and use the same way as the vinegar solution.
Call in a Professional Carpet Cleaner
If nothing else is working you might be surprised at what the efforts of a professional carpet cleaner can do. Many times a professional can come in and get your floors looking new again or at least fade the appearance of stains dramatically.