We all know accidents happens. The problem is, some of these accidents or errors of judgement leave our floors stained and damaged if not attended to properly and promptly. Carpet is particularly prone to stains and these can be very stubborn to remove. While wood, tiles and lino may be easier to wipe down, there is something cosy and homely about carpet, even if it does trap dirt and soak in stains. In order to keep your home looking clean, smart and beautiful, however, you’ll need to know how to get these five common types of stains out of carpets.

Wine Stains

The dreaded red wine on a carpet is not as terminal as you think. There are many old wives tales out there about how to get red wine out of carpets. From adding white wine to salt to vinegar, everyone has a solution to this classic blunder.

Here at Newtek Cleaning, we believe in one simple solution:

  • Blot as much of the liquid out as you can, pressingly gently to avoid encouraging the wine further into the fabric​
  • Pour a little cold water onto the stain and continue blotting​
  • Mix water and baking soda with a three to one radio and rub this mixture into the stain​
  • Leave the paste to dry and then vacuum over the stain
  • Repeat the water and baking soda if any stain remains.

Coffee Stains

Yet another common, dark stain is coffee. If there’s milk involved, it’s even worse as the dairy will smell if not removed as fast as possible. Coffee stains on carpets, mattresses and upholstery make the space look brown and dirty so it’s important to remove it as soon as possible.

Here’s what to do:

  • Blot the area as dry as possible first (try to avoid spreading as you do this)
  • Mix vinegar, water and liquid dish detergent and spritz onto the stain
  • Rinse and repeat until the stain has faded and/or disappeared.

Pet Stains

Whether you’ve got a yet-to-be-trained puppy or kitten, a dog who loves splashing in puddles or an exceptional hunting cat, we all know pets make a mess.

Here’s what to do:

  • Clean up the mess as much as possible
  • Blot the carpet until it is as dry as possible
  • Once the carpet is dry, you’ll moisten it again with a product which is specifically designed for pet stains (sold in all large supermarkets)
  • To combat any lingering odours, we recommend you mix 50% white wine vinegar and 50% warm water and spray this onto the spot. Leave it for several minutes then blot dry and sprinkle with baking soda. Add vinegar again and work the reactive mixture into the carpet
  • Allow to dry and vacuum.
Ink Stains

Pen explosion? Printer ink cartridge spilt? An ink stain can look like the end of the carpet’s life but it doesn’t have to be.

Here’s what to do:

  • Use isopropyl alcohol on a damp cloth and dab the area – dab, don’t rub or scrub (this spreads the ink)
  • Do this two or three times and the stain should fade
  • We recommend not using nail polish remover or hairspray (common tips) as these can disrupt the colour fastness and leave your carpet damaged
  • Once you’ve finished dabbing at the spot and the ink stain has disappeared or faded, rinse the area with water and vacuum dry.
Blood Stains

Timing is of the essence when blood comes into contact with materials. Once ensuring that the person who is bleeding is receiving the necessary treatment,

here’s what to do:

  • Fill a spray bottle with cold water (hot water makes blood coagulate) and add two teaspoons of liquid dish detergent
  • Spray this onto the stain until the carpet is wet and the blood submerged
  • Use a paper towel or cloth to blot it dry
  • Rinse the area with cold water and repeat as many times as necessary.

Remember, if you’re not confident about how to remove a stain, we recommend you contact a professional company such as Newtek Cleaning. Using the incorrect chemicals or techniques can make the problem worse and, in some cases, irreversible. If you’ve got a stubborn carpet stain you want to you get rid of, call Newtek Cleaning today and make an appointment.