How to Clean Household and Gardening Stains From Your Carpet
Carpet is a floor covering that needs regular maintenance. Drugstores offer all kinds of treatments for cleaning stains on carpet.
To prolong the life of your carpet, vacuum it regularly.
Oil paint stains (glycerophthalic)
To remove carpet soiled by oil paint stains:
Scrape off the excess paint from the surface with a wooden spatula.
Sprinkle with Sommières soil mixed with white spirit.
Let it work: the paint should stick to the powder.
Then vacuum to remove the detergents.
Water-based paint stains (acrylic)
To clean a carpet stained with water-based paint:
Run a sponge soaked in soap and water over the stain.
If the stain resists, apply cotton dampened with methylated spirits.
Rub with a damp cloth.
Place a square of absorbent paper over the treated area to remove the water.
Caution: if you allow the stain to become ingrained, it may never be able to leave.
Sludge stains
To remove a sludge stain from a carpet:
Put butter on the stain with a knife.
Sprinkle with talcum powder.
Wait a few moments.
Suck it up.
If the stain removal is not conclusive:
Cover the affected area with absorbent paper.
Heat with an iron.
If there are still stains:
Pour a few drops of turpentine on an iron straw.
Polish the stain.
Other effective detergents: olive oil with added Sommières soil.
Tar/mazout/fuel stains
To remove an oil stain on the carpet:
Scrape the surface with a knife blade.
Mix the Sommières soil with ammonia.
Dab the mixture on the stain with a cloth.
Repeat the operation until the stain disappears completely.
Caution: unlike other treatments that involve rinsing and drying, this solution needs to be air-dried.
Mould stains
To clean a mould stain on the carpet:
Sprinkle with baking soda.
Wait 15 minutes for the detergent to loosen the dirt.
Brush to remove the detergent.
Other effective detergents: powdered starch with added shavings of Marseille soap, salt and lemon juice.
Resin stains
To remove a resin stain from a carpet:
Rub with a scraper to remove as much dirt as possible.
Dab the stain with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol and water.
Sponge.
Grass stain
To erase a grass stain on the carpet:
Apply a handkerchief impregnated with water and 90° alcohol to the stain.
Rinse.
Dry.
Mud stain
For removing mud from carpeting:
For fine stains, vacuum the dirt off the carpet.
For stubborn stains, apply diluted vinegar to the area.
If the stain persists, treat with ammonia-soaked cotton wool.
Caution: Wait for the dirt to dry before treating it.
Petrol stains
To remove a gasoline stain from the carpet:
Pour a paste of barely moistened soda crystals onto the soiled area.
Leave for half a day.
Wipe with a damp sponge.
Mechanical oil stains
To remove a mechanical oil stain on the carpet:
For fine stains:
Apply talcum powder to the stain.
Allow to soak in.
Remove the powder with a brush.
If stains remain: Apply a cloth soaked in ammonia water.
For encrusted stains:
Protect the carpet with an absorbent cloth.
Bring the soleplate close to an iron that is not too hot.
Spray the area with water vapour.
Moisture stains
To dislodge a moisture stain on a carpet, take immediate action: squeeze an absorbent paper towel to collect the water.
Glue stains
To remove a spot of glue from carpet:
Scrape with the blade of a knife.
Remove the remaining dirt with a cotton pad soaked in ammonia.
Sponge.
Wipe dry.
Another effective detergent is methylated spirits.
Rust stains
To eradicate a rust stain on a carpet:
Rub the stain with a cloth soaked in salt and lemon juice.
Sprinkle with detergent and polish.
Moisten the whole thing to remove the detergents.
Soot stains
To get rid of a soot spot on the carpet:
Sprinkle the stain with coarse salt.
Wait half a day.
Vacuum.
Caution: Do not spread the dirt!
Go and clean it now. Try these tricks to clean household and gardening stains on the carpet. Don’t forget to share your experience with us.