You’re familiar with this scenario: you hear a sharp shatter as a glass of wine tumbles to the floor. The spill splashes everywhere- the carpet, the couch, your clothes… You freeze like a deer in headlights, unsure of where to begin.

Don’t panic! Here’s a quick guide on spot treating carpet stains that will help you avoid common mistakes:

First, remove as much of the spill as possible.

A solid spill can be scraped with a spoon, or butter knife. Next, blot away any excess liquid with a clean white absorbent cloth or paper towel. Work from the outside edge of the stain in, dabbing carefully—and don’t scrub. Scrubbing will only work the stain deeper into the carpet fibers, which makes your job harder. Continue dabbing with several cloths or paper towels until they no longer pick up any color.  

We repeat: blot, don’t scrub.

Next, apply a store-bought or homemade cleaner.

The cleaning solution you use will depend on the substance involved in the spill. Pet urine, for example, requires an enzymatic cleaner (this solution can be found in pet stores). It’s a great idea to reserve a bottle for emergency situations; keep it stowed away in your pantry, or kitchen cabinet. You can easily concoct an all-purpose solution by combining 1 tsp. dish soap, ¼ tsp. white vinegar, and 4 cups warm water. Pour this solution in a spray bottle, and you’ll be all set.

Blot again, then dry.  

Repeat the first step: blot with a clean white absorbent cloth until all of the stain has been removed and is no longer bleeding onto your cloth. Rinse the area by blotting (one last time!) with cold water, careful not to over-wet the area. Lastly, lay a folded towel over the area, and set a heavy dish on top to help absorb the stain (casserole dish, baking pan, etc).

And remember- no stain is too tough for The Steam Team to tackle. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today- either for that stubborn carpet stain, or a professional deep-cleaning. We guarantee that you’ll be floored by our results!