Often after getting a new puppy or kitten, and while trying to train the pet to go outside or in a litter box, we may have to clean furniture or floor stains a couple times a day. If you have children, you don’t want them to touch or step in the area until it is cleaned and disinfected. Toddlers, too, have a knack for spilling juice or food on the household rugs. That is why it is important to stock useful cleaning supplies.
Keep on hand different kinds of spot removers. A major one is an all-purpose spotter for water-based stains like blood and food. The second spot remover should be a solvent spotter for tar, oil, and grease. Don’t forget something anti-bacterial for stains from a pet or small child. You will need to keep brushes, cloths and sponges in supply as well. You might want to get a chemical spot remover if nothing else works. Test it on a small part of the carpet that no one can see in case it turns the fabric a different color. If the stain is darker than the color, you should be able to remove it. But if the stain has turned the carpet lighter, you may have to plug it with another piece of carpet.
Try never to bleach a stain unless everything else fails. Remember to first test the bleach on a piece of the carpet no one else can see. Follow the instructions on the container for best results.
When you’re ready to clean the stain, smell it after trying to soak up as much as you can while it is fresh. If you catch the stain early, you will have a better chance of removing it. Then get the right stain remover. Blot or scrape the area as well as you can. If it is large, use a shop vacuum to suck up excess fluid. Work the spot remover from the outside to the inside so you don’t make the blot larger. Next, blot up the moisture and rinse the stain with warm water. Blot it again and dry with a terry cloth. Brush it after drying so that the nap of the carpet is standing. If it still feels as though it is too damp, lay a white towel over the spot. Set a bucket or heavy object on top to help it dry for six hours. Then brush out the nap so it is standing up when it is completely dried.
Use the same technique for furniture stains. Catch them as soon as you find them to prevent the stain from setting or spreading. Blot excess spillage, apply appropriate cleaner, and let stand for the allotted amount of time. Blot up residual moisture, taking care to daub the edges of the stain and work your way into the center. Repeat the process if necessary.
Keep your cleaning supplies neatly arranged so you can find them when needed.
Remember to keep all your spot removers out of the reach of children. Try to clean up the spill as soon as you can. This will make a big difference in how effective your efforts will be.
