Your Carpet Doesn't Have To Be Creepy! Learn How To Lift Carpet Stains Caused By Halloween Activities
Summer is coming to an end, which means fall will be here before you know it. Unfortunately, fall can be a frightening time for your carpets. Many items that are associated with common fall and Halloween activities can cause stains if they fall onto your carpeting. Knowing how to remove the stains and attempting to lift them quickly can be the difference between a stain setting in and it being removed. Here are a couple of common fall items that can stain your carpet and how to remove them so your carpet doesn't end up looking creepy or grotesque.
Removing Chocolate From Carpeting
After your kids go trick-or-treating, they may want to dive right into their piles of candy and begin eating. However, in their rush to gobble their candy down, they may drop a piece of chocolate on the carpet and forget about it. Unfortunately, this chocolate can begin to melt and leave a stain behind on your carpet. If you see chocolate on your carpet, follow these directions to remove it:
- Use a butter knife or other flat-edged utensil to scrape away any dried chocolate from the carpet. Use a vacuum to remove these chocolate particles.
- Spray the area with your preferred carpet stain remover. Alternatively, you can mix 1/4 teaspoon of laundry detergent with a cup of room temperature water. Pour the mixture over the spot and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes.
- Starting on the outer edge of the stain, dab at the stain to lift it. It is important to use a white cloth, as colored clothes have dyes in them. These dyes can stain your light-colored carpet. It is also important that you dab or blot, not rub, as you can spread the chocolate around. Continue this process until the stain lifts.
- Dampen a clean white cloth or paper towel with cool water. Dab at the area to remove soap residue.
- Allow the area to air dry.
Lifting Pumpkin Stains From Carpets
During the fall season, your children may carve pumpkins. This can be a fun, yet messy experience for all of you. However, if pumpkin finds its way onto your carpet, it can leave behind a yellow or orange stain. As soon as you notice it, you should go to work lifting it. Follow these steps to get rid of a pumpkin stain on your carpet:
- Mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups of room temperature water. Place the mixture in a spray bottle.
- Spray the affected area. For stubborn stains, allow the mixture to work its way into the carpet for a few minutes.
- Use a white cloth to dab at the affected area, starting from the outside of the stain working your way in. Repeat this process until the stain has lifted or it is clear it isn't lifting any more.
- Dampen a white cloth in cool water and dab at the affected area to lift vinegar residue if the stain has lifted. If it hasn't lifted, proceed to the next step.
- Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with one cup of water.
- Dip a white cloth into the mixture. Dab at an area of carpet in an inconspicuous area. Ammonia can cause discoloration in some carpets so always test to make sure it won't affect your carpet. If your carpet passes this test, dab at the stained area with the mixture. Continue dabbing until the stain lifts.
- Dampen a white cloth in cool water and dab at the affected area to lift ammonia residue.
During Halloween time, pumpkin and chocolate may make their way onto your carpet. Unfortunately, these items can cause stains that can be difficult to lift. Attempting to lift the stain quickly and correctly helps prevent it from setting in. However, if a stain has set in and you can't lift it on your own, all hope is not lost. A carpet cleaning service has equipment and cleaning solvents that can help lift stubborn stains that you are unable to remove on your own.
Share