“Holiday Traffic” Affects Carpet, Too


Filed under: Carpet Cleaning


The busy holiday season sure can be rough on your carpeting. From red wine spills, to messy food stains, to kids tracking in mud – just one or two weeks out of the year can add major wear and tear to your flooring.

If you’re like most people, you know you’ll have more people than usual visiting your home at this time of year. Seating will be limited and events will be chaotic, so accidents are going to happen. Follow this handy cleaning guide to removing some of the more common carpet stains.

Punch and wine. For some reason we can’t understand, red or purple drinks seem to be spilled far more often than clear or light-colored ones. When this happens, dab the stain with a towel to lift excess liquid, but don’t rub!  Then treat the stain with a small amount of soap or detergent and continue to blot the area until the stain is gone.

Pet stains. When a guest’s pet has an accident in your home, act quickly to protect your carpet and avoid further embarrassment for the pet’s owner. Blot urine stains to remove the liquid, or remove feces with a paper towel. White vinegar works great for both cleaning the stain and removing the odor.

Blood. Blood stains are most easily removed when you act quickly. Soak the area with cold water, not hot, and be careful not to use so much water that it spreads the stain. Hydrogen peroxide is often effective at removing blood stains, but test it on hidden areas of the carpeting first to be sure it won’t discolor it.

Mud. Remove as much of the dirt as possible without smearing or pressing it farther into the carpet. Then use a standard carpet cleaner or detergent mixed with water to scrub the stains. Allow the area to dry, and then vacuum.

Food. When someone spills a plate of food, the first thing you’ll do is clean up the food itself. Then, treating the stain will depend upon the type of food that was spilled. Simple carpet cleaners or detergents will work fine for most food stains. Tougher foods like spaghetti sauce or anything containing dyes may be harder to remove. Try hydrogen peroxide, but you may need to call for professional assistance.

Hopefully this guide will help you get your carpet looking fresh and clean in no time. For those stubborn stains that just won’t come out, call Home Perfect Carpet Cleaning.  (951) 303-1333