There is one, single, fundamental rule when dealing with potentially troublesome stains to your carpets: act as quickly as you can. This means not letting the stain sit any longer than it already has.
Step one is to blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel. Since paper towel is a little more absorbent than cloth towels, we recommend using that for lifting the liquid from your carpets. Never rub the stain, as that will only force it deeper into the fibers. Continue blotting with paper towels until no more liquid is coming from the carpet.
There are several different approaches to removing such a heavy stain from your carpet. One way to tackle this is to use a gentle dish detergent such as Dawn to get the stain out. Mix together a 1 Tsp of dish soap with a quart of warm water to create a cleaning solution. Put the solution into a spray bottle. Before spraying the affected area, spot test on an inconspicuous part of your carpet to be sure that the soapy solution doesn’t cause discoloration. As you spray the stained area, be sure to blot the liquid with a clean white rag or paper towel. Once the stain is mostly removed, repeat this process with a solution made from two parts white vinegar and one part water. Use the mixture to dampen the affected area, while blotting further with a clean rag or paper towel. Once the stain is completely gone, clean the area again with water. This method will work on both coffee and wine stains.
A second way to removing a red wine or coffee stain is to blot with a dry cloth until the excess liquid is gone, then pour some cold water directly onto the stain. This way, you dilute what’s left of the stain, loosening it up and making it easier to absorb through blotting. Continue blotting with a rag or paper towels until the stain comes out entirely. Finally, you must use baking soda as the final punch to eradicate the stain. You can do this one of two ways. You can either make a paste from a 3:1 radio of water to baking soda, or simply pour baking soda directly on the affected area. Let the dry baking soda or baking soda paste sit for an hour or until the paste is dry. Finally, vacuum over the affected area, vacuuming up all the baking soda.
Even fast action and determination can’t remove every stain completely. For stains that linger before treatment, and for serious and deeply embedded carpet stains, it’s most advisable to call a professional carpet cleaner. Most professional carpet cleaning companies offer services specifically to combat permanent and aggressive carpet stains such as those caused by coffee and wine. Inquire on the types of cleaning compounds and methods employed, as well as the types of training the employees have undergone, before hiring a carpet cleaning professional and inviting him or her into your home.
Still have problems with stubborn wine stains? Contact Sir Clean Pro to help you remove it!
