It’s inevitable: no matter how careful you are, something happens and someone stains the carpet. Don’t worry, if you act quickly you may be able to remove the whole stain. The key is to do your best to remove as much of the stain as swiftly as you can.
How to Clean a Spot or Spill on Your Carpet
1. Grab something very absorbent such as a paper towel or a towel and start blotting. Do not add any type of cleaner until you aren’t able to soak any more up.
2. Apply a carpet cleaner you know is safe to use on your carpet. (If you don’t know if the cleaner you have on hand will damage your carpet, test it in an inconspicuous area and see. It’s best to buy a carpet cleaner ahead of time and test it beforehand, so in a moment of sheer panic you aren’t testing in a corner!) Follow the directions that accompany your carpet cleaner for removal.
3. Do not rub the stain. Rubbing it can spread out the spill and make it even larger.
4. Contain the spot by working the carpet cleaner from the outside of the stain to the inside. This will help keep it centralized and prevent the spreading.
5. Blot up all the excess moisture and fluid from the stain remover. Any left can spread the stain and make it bigger.
6. A clean white bath towel is the best option for drying up the spill and helping the carpet return to the natural upright position. If you still feel like there is too much moisture, you can fold a towel and place it on top of the stain with a heavy weight on top. You can also use a wet dry Shop Vacuum to help fluff the carpet back to normal.
7. Consider a topical treatment for stain prevention in the future!
