Dealing With The Stains of Summer

Summer is just around the corner and that means entertaining season is upon us. While spending some quality time with friends and family can be a lot of fun, all that extra wear and tear can do a number on your flooring. And let’s face it — even if you’re trying hard to protect your carpet by keeping the party outside, inevitably, guests drift indoors, toting food and drinks with them. In this post, we’ll give you some advice on cleaning two of the most commonly spilled summer substances: ketchup and red wine.

Ketchup

No warm weather get-together would be complete without a bit of barbecuing. And since we like to put ketchup on, well, just about anything grilled, the odds that some will wind up on your carpet are pretty high. Here’s how to deal with it.First, using a spatula or butter knife, delicately scrape away any excess ketchup. Then, mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water. Next, using a clean sponge, dab the affected area, taking care not to saturate the carpet. Once you’re done applying the cleaning solution, carefully blot the stain with paper towels or a fresh rag. Resist the urge to rub the carpet as this will only spread the stain. Repeat this process as necessary. Once the stain is gone, remove any excess cleaning solution by gently wiping the affected area with a damp cloth. Finish with a thorough vacuuming.

Red Wine

While red wine is good for your health and at stimulating conversation, it can quickly ruin your carpet. If a spill does occur, the first step is to blot the soiled area with a clean cloth, preferably white. Be sure to always use a clean potion of the cloth when blotting, otherwise you may be forcing some of the wine you’ve already removed right back into the carpet. Then, using a mixture of two cups warm water, a tablespoon of dishwashing detergent, and one tablespoon white vinegar, dab the stain with a clean sponge. Continue blotting until the stain is removed and vacuum the area.If these do-it-yourself tips aren’t quite getting the job done, don’t wait until your next scheduled cleaning to call in the professionals: the longer a stain sits, the more difficult it can be to remove. At Aquamist, we have over twenty-five years of experience treating every blotch or blemish imaginable and our licensed technicians have the know-how and professional grade tools to handle even the most stubborn stains. If your carpet is in need of rescue, call us today.