How To Clean Common Stains from Your Flooring
More time at home leads to more messes. Perhaps it was a science project that went awry or a kitchen-based math lesson that left more food on your floor than in your belly. No matter the mess, follow these tips to keep your floors looking fantastic.
Kids, Carpet, & Juice
“If you have small children, you know you can count on juice stains on your carpeting,” said Marc Mosness of Goshen Floor Mart. “Don’t worry. With the proper cleaning solution, you can remove the stains and bring your carpeting back to life.”
Mosness recommends quick action is important after a spill. “Cleaning the stain before allowing it to soak deep into the fibers will make your job much easier,” he explained.
For juice stains on your carpet, use one of these solutions (all are safe on your carpets):
1 teaspoon neutral detergent with 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1-quart cold water
1/4 c. baking soda and 2 cups cold water
1/4 teaspoon mild, non-bleach detergent with 1-liter cool water
You may also need a spray bottle to put the cleaning solution in, cold water in a separate spray bottle, clean white cloths, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, and a spoon. Yes, a spoon. More on that soon!
The sooner you can get to the stain, the better. If it’s still wet, start by blotting the stain with a clean white cloth. Start from the outside of the stain to prevent spreading, then work your way to the center. Make sure you don’t scrub so that the juice doesn’t get rubbed into the fibers.
Once you’ve soaked up a lot of the juice, get a fresh cloth wet with your preferred cleaning solution and lay it on the stain. Use the spoon to gently press on the cloth and push the solution into the fibers without damaging your carpet. Keep doing this slowly until the stain is removed from the carpet and you don’t see any more color on your cloth.
Next, you need to rinse the cleaning solution out of the carpet. Spray cold water on the treated area, then blot with a clean cloth. Repeat as necessary to make sure all of the cleaning solution has been rinsed out of the carpet.
Once you’re sure the carpet is rinsed, cover the area with a clean cloth or stack of paper towels and place heavy books or other heavy items on top of it. Let it sit for a few hours to soak up any remaining liquid, then let it air dry for a few hours. Finally, vacuum the area thoroughly.
From Scuffs to Stains on Your Vinyl Flooring
Winter is just around the corner, which means snow boots will soon have your vinyl flooring looking less than new. Don’t fret! Those unsightly marks left by boots are easily cleaned by using full-strength rubbing alcohol and a soft, white cloth to buff the scuffed area. According to Mosness, this treatment is safe for most types of vinyl flooring. “It’s always a great idea to test the procedure first on a hidden area, like under your kitchen cabinets,” he said.
Juice or wine stains left to linger are always more challenging. Again, quick action is recommended. For stubborn stains, try some diluted bleach. Take one-part bleach to four parts water, soak a white cloth in the solution, and lay it directly on the stain. Check the stain every fifteen minutes until it is no longer visible.
Removing Stains from Your Hardwood Floors
Stains in wood floors that have gone through the finish and soaked into the wood itself may be difficult to remove and could require sanding and refinishing. “Unfortunately, if the stain has penetrated too deeply, even sanding may not remove it entirely. But before resorting to sanding, start by trying to remove stains from your wood floors using standard hydrogen peroxide,” said Mosness.
Soak a soft white cloth with hydrogen peroxide and cover the stain with the wet rag. Let the peroxide soak in as much as possible to bleach out the stain. When you remove the rag, wipe up any excess hydrogen peroxide and allow the floor to dry. On all flooring types, you may see that the best way to fight the stain is to get to it right away. Letting stains set can lead to disaster!
If your flooring is permanently stained and you need to update it, we are ready to help at Goshen Floor Mart. Stop into our showroom or give us a call and we can help you find the right new flooring for you.
Trust the experts
The professionals at Goshen Floor Mart have more than 25 years of experience in carpet stains and they’re ready to share that knowledge with you. Call 574.642.4770 or contact us here CONTACT
If you're in the market for flooring feel free to contact Goshen Floor Mart. Remember, we are always happy to provide you with a free estimate. Call us today at 574.642.4770 or contact us here