Carpet stains can leave your home looking a mess, even if everything else is completely neat and tidy. If unprepared, you may end up making the stain worse, and having to cover it up before any guests arrive; however, there are ways you can get your carpet looking good as new.
As Halloween draws nearer, cleaning experts at Online Carpets have spotted that online searches for “Halloween cleaning” are already up 75% in the last month as Brits anticipate the spooky season chaos. The good news is that with the right tricks, many of which cost under £2 and use items you have at home, you can quickly tackle these messes and prevent them from leaving a lasting mark on your flooring, whether you’ve dropped a pumpkin on the carpet or fake blood from your costume has caused a mess.
Pumpkin stains
While carving pumpkins is an age-old Halloween tradition, the bright orange sticky juice can be a nightmare for carpets and fabrics. However, while pumpkin may be a tough stain to get rid of, there are ways to do so, and for less than £1.
James Higgins, flooring expert at Online Carpets says: “To remove pumpkin stains, the rule is to act fast. You should start by gently scraping away any excess pulp with a spoon; avoid rubbing as this will push the pumpkin stain deeper into your carpet fibres.
“Then dip a cloth into cold water and blot the stained area to dilute the pigments. If possible, mix a carpet cleaning solution with warm water and dab it over the stain, then you can finish up with a rinse with clean water and blot dry.”
Fake blood
You don’t need expensive chemicals to remove fake blood stains, as this job can cost as little as 5p. A simple mix of washing-up liquid and cold water will do the job for around 2p per clean. For extra strength, a splash of white vinegar adds another 3p per use. The key is to clean before the dye has set into the fabric.
Act quickly after the spill by mixing cold water with some washing-up liquid and dabbing the solution gently onto the stain with a white cloth. Keep blotting until the colour is lifted, and avoid rubbing at the stain as this will spread it further into your carpet.
You should also avoid using hot water, as heat will lock the pigment into your carpet. For more stubborn stains, try a mix of water and white vinegar to break down the dye molecules.
Glitter
When it comes to getting glitter out of your carpet, James says: “The key to getting glitter out of carpet is patience and doubling up on your cleaning methods. Begin by hoovering using your hose attachment rather than the roller as this will prevent glitter from spreading over your carpet due to increased suction.
“For stubborn pieces, you can wrap sticky tape around your hand and press it gently into your carpet fibres to lift the glitter away. A lint roller can also come in handy for picking up any particles stuck in your carpet.”
Vomit
Whether you’re hosting a wild Halloween party or your kids overindulge in their trick-or-treating haul, Halloween can end with an accident or two, and sick is one of the most unpleasant stains to tackle.
If you are faced with vomit stains, James recommends: “If you’re facing an accident to deal with, start by wearing gloves and carefully lifting away any sick with a spatula or spoon.
“Blot the remaining liquid with paper towels, taking care not to spread the mess further. Sprinkle baking soda generously over the area and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. This helps absorb moisture and neutralises odour.”
