How to Deal with Stubborn Carpet Stains

Removing Stubborn Carpet StainsNo matter what colour or type of carpet you have in your home, the laws of the universe dictate that it will suffer at least one nasty stain or spill in its life. Fortunately, floorcare experts Bissell have developed ‘solutions’ to combat the majority of common stains that might turn up on your carpet.

Getting Started

Before treating any stain you should:

  • Remove any semi-solids using a spoon or spatula (avoid using a sharp-edged tool as it could damage your carpet)
  • Soak up any excess liquid with an absorbent cloth or some paper towel – it’s better if these are plain white as certain dyes may bleed and make the stain worse.
  • Test the stain removal product on an inconspicuous area before using it, to ensure it won’t damage or discolour your carpet any further.

Solutions to Treat Common Carpet Stains

1. THE STAIN:

It’s the morning after a fantastic party, but you’re not the only one that’s a little the worse for wear; your carpet’s suffering the after-effects of red wine too.

THE SOLUTION:

Spray a stain remover generously onto the affected area, and work in the formula with light strokes using a cloth or towel. Try not to rub the stain, but work inward from the edges towards the centre. Repeat this process several times and once the stain has disappeared leave the area to dry

If you find that the stain is not fully removed, you may want to try using Bissell Tough Stain Pretreat – for carpet and upholstery (see below).

2. THE STAIN:Pet stains on your carpet

You love your dog/cat/house-rabbit (delete as appropriate), but they can occasionally make a bit of a mess of your nice clean carpet, be it muddy paws, hairballs or what we might term ‘a little accident’…..

THE SOLUTION:

Spray the “area of indiscretion” with Bissell Pet Stain Pretreat for Carpets and Upholstery.

Using a cloth or towel, gently work the formula into the area using light, scooping strokes from the edges of the stain to the centre. When your cloth reaches the centre of the stain, gently pinch it in an upward motion. Repeat this process a few times, but try not to rub the stain.

Next, cover the area with a clean, damp towel and leave for 24 to 48 hours so the enzymes can do their work. Make sure the area remains moist. You can then uncover the area to let it dry.

Tip: To avoid stains as far as possible when housetraining a puppy, see Bissell’s Golden Rules of Housebreaking

3. THE STAIN:

You might not refer to it as a specific stain, more a “High Traffic Area” of walked-in dirt.

THE SOLUTION:

Spray the affected area with Bissell Heavy Traffic Carpet Cleaner, holding the can upside down and approx. 2ft away from the targeted area.

Use a damp cloth or sponge to work the formula into the area. Gently spread the foam across the entire soiled area until it is clean. Let the area dry, then vacuum up the dirt from the top of your carpet.

The Heavy Traffic Aerosol includes “Scotchgard” which will help prevent re-soiling, and a fragrance that eliminates tough odours. It’s Safe for use on wool, nylon, acrylic and stain resistant carpets

If All Else Fails….

Some stubborn stains won’t come out even with your best efforts. In such cases you may have to call a professional carpet cleaner. They will have special tools to help them remove difficult stains, and they can even repair damaged carpets.

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