Spot on carpeting is, understandably, very noticeable. The human eye is simply drawn to things which are out of the ordinary, and not much could be more out of the ordinary than a red wine stain on a piece of white carpet. Spotting presents a number of issues:
- The longer a stain sits, the more likely it is to be permanent.
- Stains bring down the aesthetic and monetary value of a piece of carpet.
- Stains are a breeding ground for bacteria and can present heath hazards.
Spot Removal
There are a few things you should be aware of when it comes to stain removal.
- The sooner the stain is removed, the better.
- If the staining affects the carpet fibers through dye or other means, it can be very difficult or impossible to remove.
- Call a professional for advice before removing stains yourself, many over the counter products can actually make the situation worse rather than better.
- When trying to remove stains yourself, remember everything you used. Blot, do not scrub. Do not use bleach.
Pet stains are notoriously difficult to remove. Not only are they a breeding ground for bacteria, but are frequently accompanied by odors as well. If left for long, they can permanently stain many types of carpet fibers. To make matters worse, many of the over the counter pet stain removers on the market will only hide the smell. They often, in fact, make the stain and the problem worse because they mask the real issue rather than rectifying it.
Food and drink stains are the most common type of spotting on carpets in the home. Usually, they are simple to get out. The exception, however, comes in the form of sugary dyed drinks such as red Kool-Aid or grape drinks. Additionally, dark wines can pose significant problems.
Makeup is another huge source of staining and spotting on carpets. Fingernail polish, lipstick, and many other types of makeup can cause significant issues but typically do not create permanent stains.
- Paints
- Inks
- Dyes