The Cleaning Consultant

Carpet Cleaning Tips – Spotting

By Cleaning Consultant on September 14th, 2009

There is a lot of information on carpet cleaning tips but here is one tip that you normally won’t find.

We all know that if you get a spill or track something in on the carpet you should get it up as fast as possible. The difference between a spot and a stain is time. The longer the spill sits without attention the harder it will be to remove.

I have read lots of wacky ways to clean up a spot from using vinegar to soap and water but the best solution is to follow these carpet cleaning tips.

First using a white towel, blot the spot, do not rub it as this will only cause it to spread making it much worse than before you started. Once you have gotten as much of the spot up using this technique, you are ready for the carpet spotter.

Carpet spotter is a chemical you can get from your local janitorial supplier. There are various types depending on the type of spot. If it is grease spot, a POG (paint, oil, greas) chemical is best. For red juice, there are red dye spotting removers.

For most comon household spills you can use a good all purpose spotter if you get to it soon enough, before it drys and becomes a stain.

Now that you have blotted the spot, apply a liberal amount of the spotting chemical, enough to get into the pad where the spot may already be hiding. Let this sit for about 5 to 10 minutes allowing it time to break down the spot.

The next part of these carpet cleaning tips is to blot again with a white towel. So why a “white” towel you may be thinking. This is so you won’t transfer any dye from a colored towel to the carpet.

If this does not remove all the spot, again apply the spotting chemical and let it sit for another few minutes. This time take a flat edge item like a credit card and work the spot. Be sure, (this is an important part of the carpet cleaning tips) to work the spot from the outer portions toward the middle. This again will keep the spot from spreading.

After you have thoroughly agitated the carpet where the spot is, blot again. This should remove all the spill. For deep spots, be sure to watch as it dries because if you did not get all the spill it will wick up in the carpet leaving a “ghost” effect of the spot.

Click here to read more on carpet cleaning tips.

2 Responses to “Carpet Cleaning Tips – Spotting”

1. What You Don’t Know About Carpet Cleaning, But You Should | Ocha's Insight says:

   September 30, 2009 at 9:53 pm

   [...] Good carpet cleaning tips for spotting, including wine. [...]
2. Carpet Stains Reappearing | The Cleaning Consultant says:

   October 10, 2009 at 8:58 pm

   [...] spot cleaned up, scold the dog and go about your business. The next day or so you happen to notice carpet stains reappearing. But I cleaned it up and it looked as good as new. What’s [...]