No home is complete without a carpet or rug. Whether it’s the living room or bedroom, the floor just doesn’t feel right if we’re not stepping on a rug as we walk. This is why it can be awfully painful when these carpets get stained (especially those favorite white ones), as they can be quite hard to remove.

So, what do you do when your kid, your pets, or even you, on a clumsy day, creates a huge spill on the carpets? Here are the easiest solutions that you can prepare by yourself to combat carpet stains.

Making DIY Carpet Stain Cleaners/Removers

1. For Regular Spills (Juice or Dirt):

When dealing with regular stains such as spilled drinks or a dirty footprint, the following steps should be taken to immediately get rid of the stain:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of warm water
• 1 teaspoon of clear dish soap

Steps:

• Get a bucket and mix the warm water and clear dish soap.
• For a fresh stain, gently dab the rag on the carpet to soak up excess fluid.
• For dried-up stain, apply the mixture to the carpet for 10 minutes and scrub after.

2. For Tough Stains (Oil, Wine Spills, And Grease):

If the stain level is turned up a notch, so will your cleaning prowess. Follow these steps to create a cleaning solution for both light and dark carpets:

A. Light carpets:

Ingredients:

• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Dishwashing liquid

Steps:

• Again, for fresh stains, ensure you use a rag or towel to dab the stain without rubbing. This soaks up excess liquid
• Baking soda acts as an effective deodorizer and whitening agent. You’ll need to sprinkle 2 tablespoons unto the stain, make sure the stain is covered and let it sit for 10 minutes
• Get your dishwashing liquid and hydrogen peroxide, mix properly, and pour the solution on the stain.
• Allow the mixture to sit on the stain for a few minutes
• Using a paper towel or rag, dab the stain dry.

B. Dark Carpets:

Ingredients:

• Salt
• Cold water

Steps:

• Begin by blotting up the excess liquid with a paper towel or rag. Do this by dabbing the rag and avoiding rubbing to prevent the stain from spreading.
• Sprinkle the salt until it completely covers the stain.
• Rinse the mixture with cold water and blot dry.
• Do this a few more times until the stain is removed.

3. For Glue Stains

Ingredients:

• Warm water
• Vinegar

Steps:

• The first step, as usual, is to quickly dab the stain with a towel before it dries up. Ensure you soak the towel in warm water before dabbing to get the excess stain out.
• Apply vinegar to the stain patches on the carpet. Vinegar works great because it gets rid of the stain without interfering with the carpet’s appearance.
• Make sure to dab the vinegar over the stain. Leave for 15 minutes, and use a clean towel to remove the glue.

Reasons Why Homemade DIY Cleaners Work Great

You’re probably wondering how these DIY steps are of any advantage to you. Well, the following highlight the benefits of DIY carpet cleaning:

• You spend less than on professional cleaning services.
• You’re able to work at your own pace and schedule.
• The tools you need can be found in your home, making them less stressful to acquire
• It fits into your regular cleaning schedule.
• You equip yourself with new skills for future use.

Conclusion

When faced with spills and stains, it’s always best to analyze the extent of the stain before making a decision. As great as alternative DIY carpet cleaners are, they’re not always the solution. So, don’t be afraid to call on the services of professional cleaners when needed.

Read Next: DIY Ideas – MomFilter

image credit: mymove.com