Some stains are tougher than others. Here are specific tips on how to clean those tricky spots and spills on your carpet. Simply find the stain you have, and follow the instructions.
| Blood |
Blot fresh spills with a paper towel or cloth. Mix 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 teaspoon mild detergent with 1 litre of warm water. Apply this solution to the stain and let dry. Vacuum the area. |
| Butter |
Scrape off as much as you can. Apply a dry-cleaning solution and let the carpet dry. Repeat if necessary. Vacuum the area. |
| Candle Wax |
Wait until it is hard, then scrape off as much as possible. Cover the remains with kitchen paper and press with the tip of a warm iron. The wax will melt and be absorbed by the paper. |
| Chewing Gum |
Place a bag of ice cubes on top to freeze it, then break off as much as you can. Clean off the remainder with a little white or methylated spirits on a cloth. |
| Chocolate |
Scrape off any solid chocolate pieces, then treat with a spot carpet shampoo, if greasy marks remain treat carefully with a grease solvent. |
| Coffee |
Blot fresh spills with a paper towel or cloth. Mix 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 teaspoon mild detergent with 1 litre of warm water. Apply this solution to the stain and let dry. Apply a dry-cleaning solvent and once dry, vacuum the area. |
| Crayon |
Wait until it is hard, then scrape off as much as possible. Cover the remains with kitchen paper and press with the tip of a warm iron. The wax will melt and be absorbed by the paper. |
| Fruit |
Acting quickly is key, as once fruit stains are dry and hard they are very difficult to remove. Scrape up as much as possible, and blot any juice. Mix 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 teaspoon mild detergent with 1 litre of warm water. Apply this solution to the stain and let dry. Repeat if necessary, then vacuum the area. |
| Ink |
Rub with a cloth moistened with methylated spirits for ballpoint and felt tip pens; use cold water to shift fountain pen ink. |
| Lipstick |
Carefully scrape off any excess with a knife, then treat with a carpet shampoo. If any colour remains, use a little methylated spirits on cotton wool. |
| Milk or Ice Cream |
Sponge with soapy warm water, rinse, then treat with a grease solvent. |
| Mud |
Wait until it is dry and hard, then scrape off as much as possible. Mix 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 teaspoon mild detergent with 1 litre of warm water. Apply this solution to the stain and let dry. If the stain remains, apply a dry-cleaning solvent and once dry, vacuum the area. |
| Scorch Marks |
Trim lightly with a pair of scissors. |
| Shoe Polish |
Scrape off as much as you can, treat with a dry cleaning solvent, then methylated spirits. You may also need to finish off with carpet shampoo. |
| Tar |
Use a small amount of solvent, such as WD-40 on the stain. Blot the dissolved area with a paper towel. Mix a small amount of mild detergent with warm water and apply to the stain: this will remove the smell of the solvent. Next sponge the area with fresh water and let dry. |
| Urine |
Mix 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 teaspoon mild detergent with 1 litre of warm water. Apply this solution to the stain and let dry. Repeat if necessary, vacuum the area. |
| Vinegar |
Dilute the spill immediately with baking soda and water. Apply a solution of 1 part ammonia to 10 parts water. Rinse with cold water. Let the area dry and vacuum. |
| Vomit |
Blot up as much as possible. Dilute with baking soda and water. Apply a solution of 1 part ammonia to 10 parts water. Rinse with cold water. Let the area dry and vacuum. |
| Wine |
We thoroughly recommend Wine Away for getting rid of red wine stains on carpeting. We've tested it and it works! |