Spills and spots on carpet seem to be inevitable, especially in households with pets and kids.  Spots are best treated immediately, so it’s important to be prepared by keeping some basic household items on hand to deal with carpet emergencies.

The first rule of spot cleaning is to blot, rather than rub, the spot.  Keeping some inexpensive white utility towels on hand is key, because colored rags or towels may transfer color onto carpet when spot cleaning.  In addition to towels, you’ll want to be sure you have four simple items in the house to create effective cleaning solutions: a mild liquid detergent, white vinegar, club soda, and a spray bottle.  You probably have these items on hand already, but here are some tips on how you can use the magic of these common products to quickly deal with spots and stains. 

Remember to apply a small amount of the cleaning solution on a hidden area of the carpet to test for colorfastness.  The recommended cleaning solution (described below) will not typically have an adverse reaction to most carpets, but you should test to be sure.  If your carpet has been treated with a protector, you may have time to act quickly and simply blot a liquid spill with paper towels if it beads up and stays on the surface.  If a stain remains behind after blotting, try these spotting solutions:

A simple solution that works on many fresh spills and spots is made from:
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon mild liquid detergent
1 quart warm water
(Mix the above ingredients in a spray bottle)

When you have a liquid spill such as soda, coffee, or an alcoholic beverage, first blot as much of the liquid up as quickly as possible with paper towels or one of your clean white towels.  Apply the cleaning solution by spraying some onto the spot, then blot with a clean dry white towel.  An effective way of blotting that often works well is to place the towel over the treated area and then stand on the towel for a few seconds.  If some of the stain transfers to the towel, blot again with a clean portion of the towel.  Repeat the entire process as necessary, and then blot dry when the spot is gone.

For chocolate or mud on your rug, use the same cleaning solution.  For chocolate, gently lift as much of the chocolate from the rug using your fingers or a butter knife as soon as possible.  Apply the cleaning solution, and follow the same instructions.  When mud is tracked onto your carpet, you actually want to let the mud dry for easier removal with a brush or vacuum.  Then, if a stain remains, follow the above cleaning procedure.

If a happy party guest spills red wine on your carpet, don’t panic! And don’t use colored party napkins to blot the stain – grab your white towels or paper towels instead.  Blot as much of the wine up as possible, and then apply club soda to any remaining stain. The carbonation helps to lift the stain from the carpet fibers.  Blot and repeat if necessary.

Treating spills when they occur is the best way to minimize damage to your carpet and save on professional cleanings.  However, if you run into problems with any stain, don’t hesitate to call a professional for advice or evaluation of your problem area.

One of the major contributing factors to grout getting dirty is the use of dirty mop water. Everyone typically starts out using clean water, however many people continue using the same water until the job is done, regardless of how dirty the water gets during the process. Ceramic tile is non-porous so it does not absorb the color from the water. Grout on the other hand is very absorbent. Each and every time the grout is mopped (with dirty water), it absorbs some of the color from the water, causing it to get darker. In a sense, the water acts like a stain, making the grout darker and darker, (little by little).

There are a few things you can do to help prevent grout from getting so dark.
1) Sweep, vacuum, or dust mop the floor before mopping. This will help keep the mop water cleaner-longer.
2) Use more water and/or change the water more frequently will help a lot! HINT: Consider placing a quarter in the bottom of the bucket. When you can’t see the quarter anymore, it’s time to change the water!
3) Don’t leave excess water on the floor. Wring out the mop as much as possible to absorb excess moisture.
4) Invest in a larger mop bucket with a wringer, especially if you have more than just 100-200 square feet of tile floor. A good mop bucket and wringer can easily be purchased at Costco or any janitorial supply store.

Once grout gets dirty, there are basically two options for getting it clean. You can pay a professional company that does tile and grout cleaning, or you can do it yourself with a good grout cleaner and some old tooth brushes or grout brushes. Be forewarned, this can be a very time consuming and backbreaking job. If you attempt to do it yourself, one of the biggest challenges, besides the backbreaking part, is rinsing out (and neutralizing) the cleaning solution.

Regardless of who does your grout cleaning, following some of the tips mentioned above will help keep your grout cleaner-longer!

What does clean mean to you? When it comes to carpet, we might all have different definitions of “clean”, and a variety of objectives for having our carpets cleaned. Many elements of our everyday lives can take a toll on our carpets: kids, pets, bringing the outdoors in, and simply traveling the same familiar pathways everyday within our homes can contribute to stains, dirt and wear on our carpets. Which of the following standards of clean fit your household?

I want my carpet to look clean. Having houseguests or putting your house on the market and need a quick fix for carpets? Most of us want to do away with spots, stains and soiled high-traffic areas when we have our carpets cleaned. The carpet’s brightness returns and the look is lush and new, but in some cases the carpet may only be clean on the surface.

I want my carpet to smell clean. Pet owners and smokers might want a special emphasis on having a fresh scent restored to their carpet. For long-lasting results, the objective should be not to simply mask odors, but to remove them along with adding a pleasant scent.

I want my carpet to feel clean. Nothing feels better under bare feet than clean, soft carpet. Certain methods of carpet cleaning can restore the plush feel of new carpet when dirt and grit are effectively removed.

I want my carpet to stay clean. If you’ve invested in having your carpets cleaned, naturally you hope to retain that freshness for as long as possible. An experienced professional will know how to clean your carpet without leaving an unwanted residue behind, which can act as a dirt magnet. Additionally, professionally applied carpet protectors can help your carpets fight off stains and dirt, keeping them cleaner longer.

I want my carpet to be sanitized. For households with babies and young children, the carpet is often where children spend time playing, resting and exploring. Naturally, parents and those with health concerns or allergies want their carpets to be germ and allergen free after cleaning. Some professionals can offer deep cleaning methods that leave carpets sanitized and give homeowners peace of mind.

If you’re considering cleaning your carpets, it’s important to define your personal standards of clean and look for the cleaning method or professional that best fits your situation. There is a wide array of cleaning products on the market, as well as professionals who offer a variety of carpet cleaning methods. Know what you want, ask questions and find the best fit for you.