No matter how precious we are with our rugs, there are some situations that simply cannot be avoided. Whether it’s a drink spillage or a muddy dog, it’s inevitable that you will probably have to try and remove a stain from your rug at one point or another.
The rugs that are most likely to fall victim to a stain or two, are rugs in high footfall areas, in rooms with food and drinks, and children’s bedrooms and playrooms. Commonly, rug stains tend to come from muddy shoes and pet paws, drinks such as wine and coffee, and sticky fingers from the little ones. But do not fear, we have a few hand stain removal tips that will wipe away any stain-sins.
Think Fast
Generally, the sooner you tend to a stain, the easier it is going to be to remove. Pat the stain dry using a clean and plain towel. It’s important not to rub the stain as this can ruin the rug fibres and spread the stain further. After this step, the best method depends on the type of stain.
Removing Red Wine Stains
This is every rug-owner’s worse nightmare. Nevertheless, it isn’t the end of your nice cream rug. After you’ve blotted it of any excess wine, create a solution of warm water and try and clean the spot with a sponge. Then grab some salt and sprinkle the stain with it. This soaks up moisture and prevents any more of the wine from being soaked up by the rug. This next step might feel unnatural, but you should then apply some white wine to the stain, as this neutralises it. If you have some baking soda in the cupboard, put this onto the stain for an extra measure. Then wash the area gently using a sponge and water.
Removing Mud Stains
We love our furry friends, but they unfortunately aren’t aware or bothered about the cleanliness of any household rugs. With the amount of rainfall we receive in the UK, muddy paws and footprints are unfortunately a constant struggle. If you’ve got a muddy stain on your rug, don’t worry, we can tackle this.
Remove any debris from the rug and continue with the blot method. Most pet stains will come off with a little blotting and dabbing. These stains are water-soluble – simply mix ¼ of a teaspoon of non-bleach detergent or vinegar, and mix with a cup of water. Clean the area with this solution and a sponge.
Removing Coffee Stains
Blot the stain dry. Create a solution from one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of warm water. Dip a clean sponge into the solution and dab the stain using this. Repeatedly sponge the solution onto the stain until it disappears. When it is gone, sponge on some cold water and blot it dry.
Alternatively, place the solution inside an empty and clean spray bottle, spray the solution onto the stain, and leave for 5-10 minutes. Dab the solution away with a clean cloth or sponge.
Removing Blood Stains
Mix one tablespoon of liquid dish detergent with two cups of cold water. Sponge the stain using the solution and blot the stain until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat this until the blood stain disappears.
For tougher stains that are being stubborn, we recommend mixing a tablespoon of ammonia with half a cup of warm water, and again sponge this solution onto the stain.
Once the stain has disappeared, sponge the area with cold water and blot it dry.
Stain Remover
Rug Doctor supply a variety of cleaning solutions that are great for restoring your rug to its former glory. It’s always good to be organised, so having a bottle of stain remover in the house will come in handy should a stain ever occur.
Keep up-to-date with our blog for more tips and tricks!
