You've suddenly spilled something on your carpet—but don't panic. Though you may be tempted to try every product in your cleaning arsenal to remove the stain, using the wrong carpet cleaner may cause even more damage. When a stain occurs, remember to stop, take a deep breath, and follow safe spot removal procedures until professional carpet cleaners arrive to treat the stain.
Blot the Stain
The first step in stain treatment is to blot up as much of the liquid as quickly as possible. The longer the spill remains on the rug, the greater the chance of it penetrating any stain protector and causing permanent damage. Use a clean white towel and refrain from scrubbing too hard, which may grind the stain in deeper and damage the carpet fibers. If you use paper towels, take care not to leave strands of paper behind that could stick in the carpet. If the substance is a sticky solid, like chewing gum, a gentle scraping action using a butter knife or spoon may also help, notes Better Homes and Gardens.
Seek Professional Assistance
Once you've finished blotting and removing as much of the spill possible, you will want to consider the specific stain, the type of carpet, and the cleaners you have on hand before further treatment. Call professional carpet cleaners for advice. Ask about a recommended course of action, and schedule a service appointment if necessary. The Carpet and Rug Institute also lists general spot removal techniques as well as specific actions to take against a host of staining substances like coffee, nail polish, and ink. Checking in with your carpet manufacturer is another good way to find recommendations for stain treatment. Most manufacturers provide information on their websites as well as a customer service phone number to call. Finally, the longer the stain sits in your carpet the more difficult it will be to remove, so be sure to call a professional carpet cleaner as soon as possible to have the best chance of removing the stain.
Monitor the Stain for Changes
After following stain removal procedures recommended by the experts, continue to keep an eye the damaged area until professional carpet cleaners arrive. As time passes, take note if the stain bleeds further into the carpet. Also look for fraying fibers. If the carpet begins to look worse, you may want to check in again with your carpet manufacturer or carpet cleaners prior to your service appointment.
No matter what substance has stained your carpet, there's a good chance that a professional carpet cleaning service like ZEROREZ® will have the proper equipment and expert knowledge to remove the stain. Prior to cleaning, a ZEROREZ® technician will examine the stain and recommend a course of treatment. Sudden spills can be upsetting, especially if they are in a highly visible area of your carpet, but the technicians at ZEROREZ® are highly trained to remove many different types of stains.
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