How to Spot Clean Carpets

close up of male cleaning stain on carpet

Getting dirt and spills on carpets tend to be inevitable no matter how careful you are, but if you act right away, you can reduce the damage to the carpet.

However, rubbing and scrubbing the carpet in an effort to clean a spill is not only useless—it makes things worse! Scrubbing the soiled area on your carpet may ruin the fibers — and there’s also a very good chance that the spill will soak all the way through to the carpet pad.

What to Do First when You Spill Something on your Carpet

The first thing you should do is to blot the spot dry by working from the outside in. Next, rinse the spot thoroughly with clean water and then blot it again. Normally, if you act quickly, this process will remove the majority of the spill. However, the longer you wait, the more likely the spill will soak into the pad which will result in a wicking effect. This is why you can spot clean carpets after a spill making them appear completely cleaned… but then the spot comes back later.

Using Cleaning Agents to Spot Clean Carpets

There are a number of home remedy type cleaning agents you can use to spot clean carpets, although you have to make sure that you prepare and use them properly. Some of these agents work better than others, although other factors such as the type of dirt or spill and the type of rug should also be considered. All janitorial supply companies have an array of commercial preparations that will do the job, as do most building supply houses.

Damage Prevention and Last Ditch Efforts

If you try to spot clean carpets yourself and either the spot comes back or leaves a stain, you may want to consult a professional carpet cleaner. These pros know just what kind of cleaner to use for every particular situation, and they know how to clean your carpets without adding to the damage.

In fact, professional cleaners can help you take care of your carpets more effectively. You don’t need spills and accidents to ruin a good carpet; that can happen easily enough with improper maintenance. Carpets and rugs need to be vacuumed regularly so that the grime doesn’t become totally entrenched and embedded. The right kind of vacuum cleaner must be used, and even the correct number of passes over a particular area must be performed.

With all these factors to consider—the kind and amount of spill, the type of carpet, and using the right cleaners and agents, it’s no wonder that most companies simply rely on professionals to do the job properly!

Teach your staff to spot clean carpets quickly after a spill and it will help to extend the life of your carpets. And, if you would like more information about carpet cleaning solutions, give Resolve Janitorial a call!