Imagine that you’re late for a meeting and you’re walking quickly through the office, while also reading up on the latest draft of a presentation. You trip over a misplaced item and your coffee goes flying across the room, including all over your office carpet. Now what?
You pull yourself together and manage to make it through the meeting without caffeine, but the office carpet is stained, and an important client is coming to visit later that week. Does this sound familiar?
Whatever you do, don’t panic. Bad carpet spills may seem impossible to remove, but with the right technique and chemicals, most stains can be lifted easily. In this article, we’ll provide some tips on how to remove small- to medium-sized stains from your carpet, so that you can minimize damage and potentially avoid calling a professional carpet cleaning company.
How to Remove Carpet Stains?
No matter what kind of spill you are cleaning, the process for lifting stains (outlined below) is generally the same. And the sooner you are able to put the below steps in motion, the better, because the longer stains sit, the more difficult they are to remove.
1. Remove Solids: If any solid materials (food, dirt, etc.) were spilled, carefully scoop them up with a spoon or dustpan.
Note: Even if only liquid was spilled it’s still a good idea to check the area to make sure there is no dirt or other solid materials in the affected area.
2. Absorb Liquid: Use an absorbent cloth to blot the area and soak up as much of the spill as possible.
Note: You are trying to pull the stain up, so be careful not to push the stain further into the carpet.
3. Apply Stain Remover: Spray a carpet cleaning solution on the affected area, following the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Allow the stain remover to sit for about 10 minutes.
Note: If you don’t have a carpet cleaner, you can mix one using ¼ teaspoon of a translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into one cup of lukewarm water.
4. Blot the Stain: Use a clean, white, absorbent cloth to blot the affected area until the stain no longer transfers to the cloth.
Note: If the stain is getting lighter, but not fully removed, repeat steps 2 through 5, if necessary.
5. Vacuum: Once the carpet is completely dry, vacuum the affected area thoroughly.
The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends CRI Certified Seal of Approval carpet cleaning products, which have not only passed CRI’s SOA testing protocol, but have also earned a “green” certification through either the EPA’s Safer Choice Programs, Ecology or Envirodesic.
Additional Tips
1. Start from the Outside: It is always best to start from the outside when cleaning up a spill on your carpet. This way, you can work your way in and avoid spreading the mess around. Plus, it’s easier to clean up the small pieces of debris that may have fallen off of whatever caused the spill in the first place. So next time you’re dealing with a mess on the carpet, remember to start from the outside and work your way in!.
2. Blot, Don’t Rub: When it comes to spills on the carpet, the best course of action is to blot and not rub. Rubbing the spill will only spread the stain and make it more difficult to remove. On the other hand, blotting can help lift the spill and keep it from setting into the carpet fibers. Use a clean, absorbent cloth and apply mild pressure to lift the spill for best results. Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone.
3. Don’t Over-Apply Solution: Be careful not to over-wet the affected area as that can permanently damage the backing, which secures the tufts and gives the carpet dimensional stability.
4. Test Before Application: Be sure to test any carpet cleaning product (even those recommended by The Carpet and Rug Institute (“CRI”) or other authoritative source) in an inconspicuous area to make sure it does not damage the color of the carpet.
When to Call a Professional Carpet Cleaning Company
If addressed quickly, most small- to medium-sized spills can be handled without needing to call a professional carpet cleaning company; however, a proper carpet maintenance routine goes beyond reactive behavior.
We know that you want your employees and customers to see that you take pride in your work by maintaining a clean, healthy and presentable office space. In addition, dirty carpet can impact your reputation. According to a recent survey, 93% of Americans form a negative impression of an organization based on a dirty carpet. When spot stain removal doesn’t work, when you have a large spill or to implement a regular carpet maintenance program, you should call a professional cleaning company, like CleanRight.
To keep your carpet clean and your workplace healthy, the CRI recommends four simple steps:
1. Professionally deep clean your carpets to remove embedded dirt and grime
2. Vacuum regularly and more frequently in high-traffic areas
3. Clean spots and spills quickly with a CRI Certified Seal of Approval carpet cleaning product
4. Stop dirt at the door by using mats outside and inside entrances
“A majority of Americans (93%) would form a negative perception of a company or organization if its facility had dirty carpet.”
– Research Conducted by Whittaker Co.
How Often Should You Have the Carpet in Your Workplace Professionally Cleaned?
Every building is unique and several factors, such as carpet color and style, foot traffic and dirt build-up, determine how often your carpet should be professionally cleaned. As a general rule of thumb, most commercial properties should have their carpets cleaned one to four times a year. A professional cleaning company, such as CleanRight, will be able to develop a customized treatment plan that is right for you and your carpet.
Final Word
Contact CleanRight for professional carpet cleaning services. Our team of carpet cleaning technicians will have your carpets looking good as new in no time. Not only do we provide the highest quality services, but we also offer competitive prices that are sure to fit into your budget. Don’t wait any longer—give us a call today!
