Trying to remove a stain from a carpet can be a real problem. Carpet stain removal can be a bit of a nightmare for many households and businesses, such as hotels and restaurants.

Whilst not always easy, there are a number of stages that, if followed properly, should be able to clean up most types of stains in a safe and effective way.

Type of carpet and type of stain

It is really important at the beginning to assess the situation, understand what type of carpet fibre has been damaged, and what the cause of the stain is. This should include the colour of the carpet.

Many people find that wool carpets are the most difficult type of carpet or rug to remove stains from and that things like coffee stains are one of the most common and one of the most difficult to deal with.

Other types of carpet fibres include natural and organic plant fibres, such as cotton, or they can be synthetic, such as acrylic, nylon or polyester.

Other types of common carpet stains come from different types of hot and cold drinks, greasy food, chewing gum, oil, shoe polish, etc.

Safety

People might not think of safety as being a huge priority when dealing with a carpet stain, but in most situations, there are a number of really important things that need to be thought about.

If dealing with a commercial environment or any situation where members of the public may be present, professionally trained cleaners may need to be used.

Removing a carpet stain normally involves using chemicals, either homemade or commercially based, and if not used in a proper manner, these chemicals can pose a risk to the health of the individual using them or anyone else close to where the work is being done

Perhaps the most important thing to be aware of when using any type of chemical treatment for removing carpet stains are the dangers of absorbing the chemicals into your body. This can come about either through direct contact with the skin or through the eyes or mouth.

It is also important to be aware of the dangers of inhaling chemicals, both before and after any solution has been applied to the stain itself.

The other thing to be aware of is the danger of working in confined spaces. You should be making sure any room where a carpet stain is being treated is properly ventilated and, if necessary, that the person doing the treatment is wearing protective clothing such as a face mask, rubber gloves and eye protection.

Treatment

When treating a carpet stain, people are likely to either use homemade solutions or to buy a commercial product. Homemade solutions often include mixtures such as white vinegar and liquid dishwashing detergent mixed with warm water.

Commercial products are varied, but they normally have a specific type of cleaning base such as acid, alkaline, neutral or solvent.

If buying a commercial product to remove a carpet stain, the type of carpet fibre and the type of stain should determine what type of solution should be bought.

For more information on carpet stain removal, contact a cleaner.