What is the best way to remove RED stains from your carpet?

Answer 1

KEY CONCEPTS FOR SPOT-CLEANING

BLOT

Trying to rub out a stain just pushes the spill into the pile and causes fibers to mat. Instead, blot up spills by covering the area with a clean towel or a thick pad of paper towels. Press down with the heel of your hand. Repeat using dry towels until all the liquid has been absorbed. If the spill is large, use a wet-dry vacuum (if available) to remove most of the material before blotting.

SOAPY WATER

Mix your own spot-cleaning solution by diluting a few drops of clear hand-dishwashing soap in water. (Laundry detergent is too alkaline, and creamy-looking hand-dishwashing soaps may leave a sticky residue.) Use less than 1/4 teaspoon per quart.

RINSE

To remove colored spills or spot-cleaning solutions, such as soapy water or vinegar, either mist the area with clean water, or blot it with a wet towel. Then blot area with a dry towel. Repeat these two steps until no more residue comes out. Do not rub, or the carpet fibers may become matted.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR CARPETS

CARPET TYPE: SYNTHETIC

ROUTINE CARE: Vacuuming -- Remove grit with multiple passes in varying directions. Use the beater brush, set to the pile height. Change bag when one-half full because efficiency decreases after that. Liquid Spills -- Clean promptly, using the blot technique described below. If the area discolors, there's probably a sticky spill residue that has trapped soil. Clean by misting with warm water and blotting.

DEEP-CLEANING ON YOUR OWN

Professional steam cleaning works best on wall-to- wall carpeting and may be required by the warranty. If you want to do it yourself, vacuum thoroughly, then use an extraction machine from a rental company (supermarket models are less powerful). Test cleaning solution by pouring a few drops into a saucer and allowing to evaporate (a hair drier speeds the process). If the dried residue in the saucer remains sticky, switch cleaners. Use fans or air-conditioning to dry carpet. Area rugs can be cleaned using the same methods.

CARPET TYPE: WOOL

ROUTINE CLEANING: Vacuuming -- Follow the instructions above, but avoid using a rotary brush on loop-pile (Berber) carpets; the yarn may fuzz. Instead, use a floor tool. Liquid Spills -- Clean by misting with water and blotting, as for synthetic carpets. Never use ammonia or any other highly alkaline cleaner, which can damage wool.

DEEP-CLEANING ON YOUR OWN

For both area rugs and wall-to-wall carpets, home cleaning is not recommended because wool fibers absorb more water than synthetic fibers do. This makes them hard to dry, and area carpets become very heavy and difficult to maneuver. Plus, a lot of the available cleaners are too alkaline. Many of today's carpets, however, even Oriental-style ones, are actually made from synthetic fibers. To test for wool, snip a strand, and hold a lit match to it; burning wool smells like burned hair.

CARPET TYPE: PLANT

ROUTINE CLEANING: Vacumming -- Use the same technique as for synthetic carpets. A beater brush is the best way to remove grit, which causes excessive wear on these carpets. Liquid Spills -- Plant fibers are less stain-resistant than synthetics or wool, even if they have been treated with a water repellent, so blot spills promptly, following instructions below. Make sure damp areas dry quickly by using a fan or a hair drier (set on low heat).

DEEP-CLEANING ON YOUR OWN

Manufacturers recommend the use of dry methods only. Leave that to a professional.

REMOVING STAINS

Some commercial spot removers take off the protective coatings or break down dyes that are found on most carpets, but the remedies listed here do not. Note: Be sure to follow the instructions for spot-cleaning, “blot,” “soapy water,” and “rinse”.

CLEANER: HYDROGEN PEROXIDE bleaches these stains without breaking down carpet dyes. MIX: Buy 3 percent solution at drugstore, and use full strength.

TECHNIQUE: Scoop up solids with a spoon. Blot liquids. Rinse repeatedly. If stain persists, use soapy water, then rinse. Repeat. If improvement stops, dab on hydrogen peroxide. Wait 1 hour. Repeat as needed. MUD: Allow spill to dry. Break off pieces and vacuum. Rinse with soapy water. Go to hydrogen peroxide if needed.

STAIN TYPE: ALKALINE cat urine, beer

CLEANER: WHITE VINEGAR, a mild acid, neutralizes alkaline spills. MIX: 1 cup white vinegar in 1 cup water.

TECHNIQUE: Blot up spill, and rinse. If stain persists, use soapy water, then rinse. Repeat until spot is gone; if stain persists, apply vinegar solution with a spray bottle or a saturated towel. Blot with a dry towel; rinse. If stain persists, repeat.

STAIN TYPE: ACIDIC ketchup, cough syrup, mixed drinks, soy sauce, watercolor paint

CLEANER: AMMONIA, an alkali, neutralizes acidic spills. MIX: 1 tablespoon in 1/2 cup water. NOTE: Never use on wool; it can destroy the fibers. Instead, dilute spill with plain water.

TECHNIQUE: Blot up liquid spills. Scrape off solids with a spoon or knife. Apply ammonia solution with a spray bottle or a saturated towel. Blot out excess with dry towel. Rinse. If stain persists, use soapy water, and rinse. Repeat until improvement stops. If stain persists, use hydrogen peroxide. See instructions above. CAUTION: Ammonia is toxic. Use good ventilation.

STAIN TYPE: OILY/WAXY asphalt and tar, wax and crayon, metal polish, grease, hand lotion, ballpoint ink, makeup

CLEANER: RUBBING ALCOHOL, a mild "dry-cleaner," dissolves oily or waxy materials and is much safer than solvents in commercial spot removers. MIX: Use full strength from bottle. Do not let it puddle; it may destroy the carpet backing.

TECHNIQUE: Blot up or scrape off as much as possible (then, for wax, cover area with a brown paper towel, and transfer the wax by ironing on “warm”). Apply rubbing alcohol with a towel or cotton ball. For deep stains, blot with a clean towel, and repeat until towel remains clean. If spill is on the carpet tips, work material out by gently rubbing in one direction rather than blotting, which might drive the stain deeper. If stain persists, blot with soapy water and rinse; repeat. If needed, switch to hydrogen peroxide, as detailed above.

STAIN TYPE: CHEMICALLY REACTIVE ACIDIC toilet-bowl cleaners, acne medication, lye-based drain cleaners, chlorine bleach, hair dye, iodine, insecticides, mustard with turmeric, plant fertilizers

CLEANER: Stain is permanent. For wall-to-wall carpet, call a professional to cut out the damaged area, and patch with carpet from a closet or other hidden area. Alternatively, move furniture or set out pillows to cover stain. With area rugs, rotate so stain is in a less noticeable position.

STAIN TYPE: SPECIAL CASES chewing gum, rust, nail polish

TECHNIQUE: For chewing gum: Freeze with ice cubes. Break off bits, and pick them out. If that doesn't work, go to a janitorial supply store for a spray that freezes gum instantly and allows you to chip it off. For rust: Apply soapy water. Rinse. Repeat until improvement stops. If stain persists, call a professional who will have access to more powerful cleaners. For nail polish: Dab on non-oily nail polish remover with a cotton ball. Do not get it on carpet backing. Blot and repeat.

Answer 2

I use oxyclean powder. I spritz the spot with a water bottle to get it good and wet. I sprinkle lots of the powder over it. I work it in with an old wash cloth. I add a little more water and scrub some more. I got up a stain from red gel used in strawberry pies and ravioli sauce with oxyclean.

Answer 3

right it somewhat is an internet site that i could exceptionally propose. they have very extreme high quality stain removal concepts. i could recommend repeating the technique after the 1st utility, and rinsing the rug out with cool water in between purposes. better of success!

Answer 4

Here are tips from the pro (Martha Stewart):

http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf3/stain_removal_basics.pdf