Carpet Spots & Spills

Spots and spills are inevitable… they happen to all of us! All spots are different, which makes cleaning them a little tricky. Not only do spots need specific treatment based on what was spilled, but your carpet type also needs to be examined. Carpets vary in different styles and durability. Your carpet also has delicate fibers that can get ruined easily if you smear it with the wrong cleaning agent. Home remedies can end up ruining your carpet, making spots look bigger and brighter than before. The best way to treat spills and spots is to understand the nature of the spill, how long it has been there, and what kind of carpet you have.

Different Types of Spots and Stains

Carpet spots come in all shapes and sizes because they can come from many different substances. No spot or stain is like another, therefore they should each be cleaned and treated differently. For example, a pet stain should not be treated the same as a salad dressing spot. The most common spills are:

• Water-Soluble Spots

  • Water-soluble spots include spills from soda, alcohol, fruit, etc.

• Protein-Based Spots/ Contaminants

  • Protein-based spots include blood, dairy, bodily fluids, meat, etc.

• Fat and oil-based spots

  • Oil-based spots include cooking grease, salad dressing, lipstick, etc

• Pet Odor Stains

• Wine Spots.

• Wax

• Gum

• Dirt

• Snow slush

• Hard candy, etc.

Tips for Common Spills and Spots

Spills and spots are bound to happen, and they are a nuisance to remove. Stains and spots absorb into your carpet, and deeply embed themselves into the fibers. Keep in mind that when you use soaps, detergents, or other cleaning agents, you are bound to end up with residue in your carpet. Dirt and other substances stick to the residue, creating more dark spots on your carpet.

But we get it, sometimes you can’t get Zerorez® over to your home immediately and you have to respond fast to the spot. Given the different kinds of spots and carpets we have to work with, below are 8 simple suggestions to help you with those annoying spots!

1- Act Quickly

Pick up or vacuum solids. The quicker they are off the floor, the better! For liquids, act quickly and dab (don’t rub) with a washcloth and to keep them from becoming soaking deep into your carpet.

2- Perform a Clean Test

Just like we mentioned before, carpets are made of all different materials. Some may respond differently to certain types of spot cleaners than others. The first general piece of advice is to test the spot remover product on a small, hidden area of the carpet. Many times, using cleaning products that you are not familiar with can lead to more spots and discoloration than you had even before, resulting in a permanent stain. Be sure to follow the cleaning agent manufacturer’s instructions as best as you possibly can. Once the cleaner and the carpet have passed the cleaning test, you can apply the product to the spot and rub it lightly in circular motions.

3- Old Spots

Although it is best to treat spots as quickly as possible, we may still end up with a few old spots that we want to get rid of. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing it. Rubbing pushes residue deeper into your carpet, and scrubbing can ruin your carpet fibers. Avoid using bleach or other chemicals without thoroughly testing and paying attention to the manufacturer’s instructions.

4- Oil Spots

Oil and grease spots are some of the most notorious spots to remove because they deflect water. The key is to try and soak up the excess oil as quickly as possible, because the longer it stays in your carpet, the harder it will be to remove. Usually, the best way to get rid of these spots is to call a professional at Zerorez®!

5- Blood

Blood and other contaminants are extremely tricky to remove. You can try ammonia on the area, and dab softly with a washcloth. Be careful not to use harmful chemicals that can end up leaving residue behind in your carpet.

6- Wax

Another annoying spot that clings to carpet fibers is wax. To help lift wax, place paper towels over the spot. Then place a warm (not hot) iron or pan on top of the paper towels. This will help soften the wax, helping it to stick to the paper towels.

7- Fruit Juices

All different kinds of juices contain high amounts of acid and intense coloring or dye. These two factors combined make fruit spills and spots everyone’s least favorite and can cause permanent discoloring and staining. If the mess is fresh, soak and dab at the juice spot with a washcloth. The spot can then be treated with a little bit of club soda or baking soda. If the spot is not lifted after this, or if it is an older spot, it will require professional cleaning from Zerorez®.

8- Wine Spots

Similar to fruit juices, red wine contains a lot of acidities and bright coloring. Avoid rubbing at the spill, as it will push it deeper into your carpet. Dab and soak with a washcloth to avoid any further soaking into your carpet. Then, try club soda or baking soda on fresh spots. Just like fruit juices, if those don’t work, the wine spot may require a Zerorez® professional in order for the spot to be remedied.

The Best Carpet Cleaning and Spot Removal

We understand how daunting carpet spills can be. Here at Zerorez®, we know all about carpet and spots and stains so that you do not have to! Our technicians are professionally trained to treat those bothersome spots on your carpet.

Zerorez® is different from most traditional carpet cleaners. Our unique cleaning process sets us apart because of our ability to clean carpets without any soaps, detergents, or harmful chemicals. Instead, our professional technicians clean with Powered Water®. This powerful cleaning agent is enhanced water that has been electrolyzed and oxidized, making it the perfect carpet cleaner! This revolutionary cleaning solution leaves behind Zero Residue®. It is safe for the environment, your pets, and your kids. Our carpet dries up to 2x faster than our competitors, so you can resume your normal activities soon after your appointment.

When it comes to keeping your carpet clean and fresh, Zerorez® is your safest bet!