How To Clean Carpet Stains Right The First Time
You tackled that pesky stain on your carpet months ago and are basking in the glow of a stain removed when – suddenly – it reappears. What happened?
Without the proper carpet cleaning formula, a stain is only treated and removed on the carpet’s surface, which is visible for all to see. But the stain itself may have soaked through the entire carpet fiber, into the carpet backing, and sometimes even into the pad below. Over time, especially in humid conditions, the trapped stain can travel back up to the fiber stands and into the carpet fibers at the surface, where it reappears.
The stains stop here! Do you want to know how to get chocolate out of carpet? Or how to finally get ink out of your carpet? Here is our handy guide to clean carpet stains and stop them from reoccurring!
How To Choose A Carpet Cleaning Formula
Not all carpet cleaning formulas are created equal. We know there are many options, but it’s essential to choose the correct formula when treating and cleaning carpets.
Enzyme-Based Formulas
Formulas with enzymes work to break down organic stains in your carpet, like pet accidents or food. They work best when covered with a moist towel and are given time to work (12-72 hours). When they are kept moist, the enzymes will continue multiplying and removing the stain particles until they are gone. (Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® Urine Eliminator Pre-treat & Spot Cleaner)
Oxygen-Boosted Cleaning Formulas
Oxygen-boosted cleaning uses active oxygen to break up the chemistry of a stain, removing its color and ensuring it won’t reappear. That’s why carpet cleaner formulas with oxy can remove some of your toughest stains for good, so you can rest easy knowing they won’t magically reappear. (Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® Oxy Spot & Pre-Treat Cleaner).
Formulas With Protector
Some formulas contain carpet protectants, like StainProtect™, that will leave behind a protective layer around the carpet fibers. These types of carpet cleaning formulas guard against future carpet stains because after the protective layer is there, stains will bead up on, not soak into, carpet fibers. (Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® Max Advanced Deep Carpet Cleaner).
How to Clean Carpet Stains
- Spot Clean Stains When They Happen
When a fresh stain happens, treat your carpet as soon as possible with a spot and stain cleaner to prevent it from soaking into carpet fibers and re-appearing in the future. Be sure and clean the stain and a large area around the stain as it may be larger below the surface than what you can see on top. Use a clean, white cloth to blot and work from the outside of the stain towards the center so you don’t accidently spread the stain. - Pre-Treat* Stains Before Deep Cleaning & Use the Best Machine Solution
If you are ready to clean dirty or disgusting carpet and want the best possible results, pre-treating is key! Before using an upright carpet cleaner rental, spray all the stains in your carpet with a pretreat and spot trigger spray product (like one of the ones listed above). Then, fill the clean tank of the carpet cleaner with water, and add one of our carpet cleaning solutions and you are ready to go. We recommend using Max Advanced Deep Carpet Cleaner. It’s our most powerful formula for removing tough, embedded stains and odors. - Deep Clean Carpet With an Upright Carpet Cleaner Semi-Annually
For stains that have been sitting for an extended period or deeply soiled carpet, try deep cleaning the entire area. To keep your carpets looking their best and get rid of tough stains, we recommend cleaning them twice a year with a Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® rental carpet cleaner. Clean during spring cleaning season and then again after the kids return to school. You’ll get all those stains that come with walking on the carpet with shoes during the winter and all the sand and dirt from summer and fall.
Where To Find A Carpet Cleaner Rental Near Me
Next time you think your carpet needs to be cleaned, look for a store near you that offers Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® carpet cleaner rentals. Go to our Location Search Tool and type in your zip code (or postal code if you are in Canada) to find a rental near you.
*NOTE: Before using the machine on carpet, always test the cleaning solution and spot cleaner in an inconspicuous spot or hidden area and allow to dry before proceeding. If color is affected, do not use the spot cleaner.
