How often should you clean your carpets? The answer to this question depends on the type of dirt on your carpets. If the dirt consists of pet hair, you should deep clean it every two months.

How about stains? Do you know how to get stains out of carpet? Carpeting often gets stained and damaged, sometimes beyond repair. To maintain the health of your carpets, you need to know how to clean your carpets.

A DIY carpet cleaning can help you clean your carpets in between professional cleaning services. Below is a complete carpet cleaning guide that will help you save money on professional carpet cleaning services.

Act Quickly

Act quickly when it comes to DIY carpet cleaning and getting stains out of the carpet; time is of the essence! The longer a stain is left to sit in the fibers of the carpet, the harder it will be to remove. The sooner you act, the more likely you are to have success removing the stain completely without damaging the carpet fibers.

Blot the Stain

When it comes to getting out tough stains from carpet, blotting the stain is one of the best methods. Blotting is also one of the easiest ways to remove a stain. It involves pressing a clean, absorbent cloth onto the spot or stain for a few seconds.

DIY Carpet Cleaning: How to Get Stains Out of Carpet

You should then lift the cloth and move it to a different spot on the stain, repeating the process until the stain is removed. To be effective, you must work from the outside of the stain to the center, as this will prevent the stain from spreading outward.

Test a Small Area

As any carpet cleaning professional would do, testing is necessary. Testing a small area before cleaning the entire carpet is a crucial step that should never be overlooked. Testing a small inconspicuous area will alert you to any colorfastness or texture distortion that may occur due to the water or cleaning agent.

This also allows you to determine if the cleaning solution of choice is strong enough to get the stains out with minimal damage to the carpet. Many people don’t realize they are using the wrong cleaner or too strong of a cleaner until the damage has already been done. Always test a small area first and you can avoid much bigger problems down the line.

Prepare a Cleaning Solution

Preparing a cleaning solution for DIY carpet cleaning starts by understanding the type of carpet stain you are dealing with. If the stain is liquid, begin by blotting it with a white, damp cloth. Avoid scrubbing the stain to prevent it from spreading.

Next, prepare the carpet stain removal solution by combining dish soap and warm water in equal parts in a bowl or spray bottle. Then, lightly spray the cleaning solution onto the stained area of the carpet and allow it to soak for 3-5 minutes. Finally, use a clean, damp cloth to gently dab the stained area to fully remove the stain. Repeat if necessary.

You may also consider other cleaning solutions:

Consider Vinegar and Water Solution

A DIY solution option to clean carpets from stains is to mix a solution of vinegar and water. Using a spray bottle, dilute equal parts of white vinegar and warm water. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and will help remove most dirt, stains, and odors.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide Cautiously

Another way to tackle tough marks is to use hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide works by bleaching out the stain and can be effective on pet stains. However, it is important to use caution when working with this solution.

It should not be used around wool carpets, as it may damage the fibers, and it should never be used on colored carpets, as it could damage the color. Furthermore, any spilled hydrogen peroxide should be cleaned up immediately.

Apply the Cleaning Solution

Before applying, make sure to read the instructions on the bottle and test the cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area of the carpet first. Once the cleaning solution is applied, always use a white cloth or a white towel to apply the solution to avoid discoloring the carpet.

Rub the cloth or towel in a circular motion to get an even distribution on the carpet. Depending on the type of stain, it may be necessary to allow the cleaning solution to sit on the stain for several minutes before blotting it.

If the area needs to be agitated to get out of the dirt, use a soft brush. Once the cleaning solution is applied, work from the outer edges inward to avoid spreading the stain. If necessary, reapply the solution and blot up the residue.

Let The Solution Sit

Make sure to thoroughly saturate the area with enough solution to cover the entire stain. Once the stain is saturated, it is important to let the solution sit for a minimum of 10 minutes. This gives the solution time to take effect on the stain and loosen it.

After the solution has been given time to soak in, it should be easily blotted up with a clean cloth or sucked up with a wet/dry vacuum. If the stain persists, then repeat the process until it is gone. Giving the solution enough time to sit and properly work on the stain, should help to remove it.

Blot Again If Necessary

If necessary, you may need to blot the area again to get the best results. Too much liquid in the stain can cause it to set more deeply, resulting in a firmer binding of fibers. If additional blotting is needed, use a clean white cloth and blot the affected area with just a few drops of water or your cleaning solution.

Still, blot gently and aim to extract the stain instead of pushing it further into the carpet. Do not make circles or rub the stain since it will not properly lift the particles. Reapply the cleaning solution and blot it with a white cloth until the stain is removed.

And if necessary, you can also use a dry foam cleaner to attract even more of the stain from the fibers. With this method, you should not have to completely saturate your carpet pad. Keep blotting until your store is lifted, and you have achieved your desired results.

Rinse With Clean Water

Once you have treated and blotted as much of the stain as you can, it is essential to rinse the area with clean water. This should be done by lightly spraying the area using a spray bottle or by dabbing the area with a clean wet cloth.

The washing and rinsing should be done in a circular motion starting from the outside of the stain and moving to the inside. This will help to avoid spreading the stain further. After rinsing, the excess water should be blotted up using a dry cloth.

Repeat the rinsing and blotting process until the area is clear of soap and the water that is being blotted up appears to be as clean as it originally was. Once this process is complete you can check for the stain that was previously there and you should notice a large improvement.

Dry the Area

Drying the area right after the stain is created prevents it from setting in and becoming more difficult to remove. To dry the area, use a white towel or paper towel pressing the material onto the stain to absorb as much of the stain as possible.

To completely dry the area, you can set up a fan to blow on the spot to speed up the process. Make sure to not rub the area, as this can spread the stain and make it even harder to get rid of. Dry cleaning the area is very important if you plan on using any spot-cleaning chemical or stain remover.

Use Baking Soda for Odor

If you’re dealing with carpet odors after blotting the stain, baking soda is the ideal ingredient for DIY carpet cleaning. To get the most out of it, sprinkle the baking soda generously over the affected areas of the carpet and let it sit for several hours. This allows the baking soda to absorb the odors and neutralize them.

After the time has passed, vacuum up the baking soda with the vacuum cleaner and ensure that it is completely removed from the carpet. With the baking soda removed, the odors should be gone and the carpet should be refreshed and smell clean.

Learn How to Get Stains Out of Carpet

DIY carpet cleaning is a great way to take care of your carpets and tackle stains at home. With some basic cleaning supplies and knowledge of the best strategies to get stains out of carpet, the process can be simple, accessible, and effective.

To get the most out of your own carpet cleaning, take the time to familiarize yourself with your cleaning process and the products available. Try it today!

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