The celebration of Christmas has just passed and for those that participated, a merriment feast was likely served. The chaos of preparations and serving, the bustle of guests, and with all the excitement that flutters with the anticipated holiday, accidents are a common occurrence. We at American Hometown Services would like to help fight the stains that can result in accidental spills by offering some tips on how to combat the various carpet spots that have appeared on your carpet.

Tips for Cleaning Holiday Carpet Stains

Cranberry Sauce: Like with all solid, and semi-solid substances, gently scrape up the excess sauce with a spoon or dulled edge and wipe it on the paper towel as you go. Combine ½ tsp dishwashing soap, 1 Tbsp white vinegar, and 2 cups of cool water. Spray or sponge on the solution to the spot and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Follow up with a clean, damp cloth by blotting until it dissipates. If the stain merely lightens, treat a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and dab the remaining residue. Be sure to use a damp cloth once the substance is lifted with a clean damp cloth.
Red Wine: Immediately blot the excess liquid using paper towels. Take a different clean towel and place it over the stain after you have absorbed what you could with the paper towels. With a spray bottle of cool water, moderately spray the stain, taking care not to over saturate. Combine 1 tbsp dishwashing liquid, 1 Tbsp white vinegar, and 2 cups warm water. Treat a clean cloth with the solution and blot out the red wine. If necessary, to prevent over saturation, use a dry cloth to blot the excess moisture in between applications. After the spot is gone, use a separate damp cloth to blot up the cleaner solution. Place a dry towel on top of the area and weight it down to draw out the remaining moisture.
Turkey Gravy: Be sure to have a paper towel or other disposable implement for easy disposal, but with a dull edge, scrape up the bulk of the gravy. Use additional paper towels to blot the area and never scrub and rub the area. Massage the fibers to work out the gravy, with your fingers and a pinch of concentrated dish soap. Use a damp cloth to blot out remaining residues. To pre-treat the remaining stain, if one is left, use a laundry pre-wash stain remove and let it sit 30 minutes. With a damp cloth, blot the remaining residue. An enzyme cleaner according the label’s directions, if the stain persists.
Blood Stains (For the Clumsy knife handlers): Always get your medical attention first. No matter how minor, once the emergency has been dealt with, and start by the blotting the blood stain with paper towels quickly. Blot up the liquid again, after lightly mist the area with cool water. To treat the blood according to the type of carpet fiber:
Synthetic fibers – Combine 1 cup cold water and 2 TBS household ammonia.
Oriental rugs – Mix 2 parts cold water with 1 part white vinegar.
Wool – With 1 cup of water, mix in 1 tsp mild, non-alkali detergent.
Dab up the blood with the appropriate solution treated to a clean cloth. Be sure to use areas of the cloth, that are blood free as you work around the corners. Once the blood is extracted, use a damp cloth to rise the solution and use a clean dry cloth to blot the area dry.

Carpet Cleaning, Stain Removal & More in Quincy, Macomb, Hamilton, Warsaw & East Alton Illinois | Hannibal, Missouri

If the holiday stains get the better of you, call American Hometown Services and let our specialists get those tough stains out of your carpets. Contact us today!