4 Common Summer Carpet Stains and How to Treat Them

Carpet Cleaning Tips For Common Summer Carpet Stains

Different types of dirt on carpet. Cleaning Concept

Now that we’re in the heart of summer, your carpet may be taking a beating. Summertime means a variety of stains, from grass stains and pet accidents to barbecue sauce and Kool-Aid.

Never fear! It’s time to tackle some carpet cleaning chores. We’ll help you get them out. Here’s a breakdown of common summer carpet stains and how to treat them.

(1) Pet Stains

Pet stains are particularly worrisome because you’re not just dealing with a soiled carpet, you’re also dealing with the smell. Plus, as any pet owner knows, once your dog decides to pee on a spot of carpet, changes are he’ll choose that spot to soil again. It’s a never-ending cycle! Luckily, these steps can help:

First, clean up the mess. Pick up any solid waste and then blot, blot, blot until the carpet is dry and the stain is removed. Don’t smear or scrub!
If the stain is dried into the carpet fibers, moisten it with a cleaning product designed to handle pet stains.
Now, tackle the smell. You’ll want to avoid ammonia products. Instead, use a solution of ½ white vinegar and ½ warm water. Spray this mixture and let it soak into the spot of carpet. After a few minutes, blot again until the area is dry.
To ensure that the smell doesn’t linger, sprinkle baking soda over the spot. Then, mix ½ cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of liquid detergent (dishwashing soap is fine). Slowly pour the mixture over the baking soda, and then work it into the carpet.
Let that final mixture dry completely, and then vacuum. Your carpet will be clean and odor-free.

(2) Kool-Aid, Barbecue, and Other Food or Drink Stains

Kool-Aid stains can be tricky! But getting that devilish liquid out of your carpet isn’t impossible. Here are some tips that will work for Kool-Aid, barbecue sauce … even red wine!

Begin by blotting the stain with a dry towel. Don’t rub! That will only push the stain deeper, which will make it more difficult to remove.
In a spray bottle, mix ¼ cup of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap, and water. This is a great carpet cleaning solution to have on-hand. Spray the stained area and let it soak for about ten minutes. Then, blot the stain again with a dry towel until it’s gone.
If your homemade mixture doesn’t work, there are several carpet cleaners on the market that will. Resolve and Oxi-Clean are good ones. Just be sure to test cleaners on a small area of carpet before you try them on a big, noticeable area. You want to make sure your carpet won’t fade when you use them.
Don’t use bleach! This product is guaranteed to wreck your carpet. Remember, gentle blotting and cleansing is best.

(3) Grass Stains, Mud Stains & Other Gifts from Mother Nature

With so many outdoor activities to choose from over the summer, it’s hard to leave the outdoors out where it belongs!

What makes grass stains so difficult to remove? Part of the problem is that chlorophyll, that thing that makes grass green, also happens to be a great dye. The longer it sits there, the more likely it is to soak into the carpet fibers and stick. That’s why it’s important to tackle grass stains right away.

Vacuum the grass stain using the suction tool, not the vacuum itself.
Dampen a clean towel with water, and then blot. (If you haven’t picked it up by now, we always suggest blotting rather than rubbing the stain. Blotting is best!)
Once you’ve blotted so much that you’re no longer lifting grass stain out of the carpet, it’s time to make up another mixture.
Mix two teaspoons of dish soap with warm water. Then, blot again. This will probably do the trick.
If a grass stain still lingers, try rubbing alcohol or white vinegar. Do NOT apply ammonia, degreaser, or bleach to grass stains.

Mud stains are a bit easier to remove. Usually, a quick vacuum and follow-up with Resolve or another carpet cleaning solution will work. Pro-tip: Let the mud dry first. It’s easier to vacuum up when dry.

(4) Blood Stains From Those Summer Cuts and Insect Stings

Blood on the carpet seems scary, but it’s actually not too difficult to remove.

Two important things to remember: You’ll want to clean a blood stain as quickly as possible. You’ll also want to use cold water instead of warm or lukewarm. Cold water will prevent the blood from coagulating into the carpet fibers.

Begin by blotting with cold water. When you can’t get anymore blood out with that method, use the following cleanser …
In a spray bottle, combine two teaspoons of liquid dish detergent with cold water. Moisten the stain, and then blot again. Repeat as necessary.
Oxi-Clean is particularly good on blood stains, too, so that’s an option if cold water and dish detergent don’t work for you.
Keep trying! Blood stains might be stubborn, but a combination of the above methods should take care of the stain completely.

If You Need a Thorough Carpet Cleaning This Summer, Let Us Know!

If you’ve had it with stubborn summer stains, give us a call! We’ll be happy to give you an estimate for a thorough carpet cleaning. Your carpet will look and smell as good as new. That’s a pretty cool feeling on these hot summer days.