Rugs add beauty, accent, and warmth to the space. They also protect the underlying floor from wear and tear. Rugs are satisfying until stains ruin the whole thing.
The very first step must be to spot-treat the stains. You can find everything you need at home. So there’s no extra cost. Even if you do buy some, they won’t make your wallet weep. Below are six tips to keep your rugs stain-free.
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Coffee Stains
Have you ever sipped coffee only to realize it’s still too hot? You spit it out and stain your shirt, or the rug gets the hit. When coffee spills on your rug, just relax but act fast.
Get a dry towel and blot to absorb the stain well. Don’t rub. Once the towel has done its job, clean the affected area using a sponge soaked in two cups of warm water, one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, and one tablespoon of white vinegar.
Wine Stains
After a day’s work, many prefer to eat dinner and drink red wine. Everyone’s enjoying their time, chatting, laughing, and toasting drinks. But sometimes, the clinking of glasses causes wine to spill over the rugs.
To remove the stain, first use a white towel to blot the spill and absorb the wine. Next, pour some cold water on the spot and continue the blotting process. When there’s no more stain coming out, apply a mixture of one part baking soda and three parts water. Wait to dry and vacuum it up. Cheers to your wine-free, rugged tapestry!
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Pet Stains
People consider their pets as family members. Like kids, young pets can be naughty. Puppies poop and pee on your rugs.
Use an old, dry cloth to blot and absorb any wetness in the rug. Pour a bit of water to moisten the stain that wasn’t removed right away. Soak the affected area with vinegar to eliminate the foul smell. Then, spread some baking soda. Wait until it dries and sweep up or vacuum any leftovers.
Ink Stains
A pen is a friend. It’s used to put ideas and express emotions on paper. But sometimes, your trusty pen turns against you, bursting ink to your light-colored rug.
Here’s a reliable method. Moisten the stain by dabbing it with rubbing alcohol. Don’t scrub as ink spreads very easily. Next, spritz hairspray on the ink stain to soften it. Then, use an absorptive, white towel to blot again. Repeat if needed. When the area has dried, remove any remaining ink with a soft brush.
Blood Stains
Maybe your furry buddy played around and knocked a wine bottle off the table. It shattered to pieces, wounding your pet. The blood dripped onto your rug. Or maybe you bought fresh meat, but the plastic broke, spilling some blood on your rug.
It’s a bit unsightly, but removing blood stains on your rug is also easy. Again, you must act quickly. Treat the stained spot with cold water to prevent blood from thickening and permeating the rug fibers. Next, mix two cups of cold water and one tablespoon of liquid dish detergent. Spray it on the stain. Use a white towel to blot the spot until the area dries.
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Final Note
Once your rugs are clean, expose them to direct sunlight and fresh air. It’s an excellent way of drying and eliminating any odor.
Now you know non-toxic ways to remove rug stains. However, if your rugs are an heirloom, better leave the job to rug cleaning professionals. Hire those who also use biodegradable, custom-blended, and eco-friendly detergents.
