Time is definitely of the essence when it comes to carpet spills. Yep, the clock starts ticking the second you watch that slow motion spill occur – you need to act fast to avoid permanent staining.
What I love about this homemade solution is that the ingredients should already be tucked away in your pantry. Just follow a few simple steps and voila!
Step 1
If the spill is fresh, remember to blot first using paper towel or a white clean cloth. This helps to soak up excess moisture from liquid spills but remember not to scrub too hard. Gentle downward pressure should do the trick.
Step 2
In a spray bottle, combine 1 cup of white vinegar and 2 cups water, followed by 2 teaspoons salt and 15 drops of lavender essential oil. Shake well.
Step 3
Spray on carpet generously across the area of the stain, brushing the fibres in one direction, then re-spray and brush back in the other direction, shaking the bottle between sprays.
Step 4
Once carpet is dry, vacuum the treated areas.
* I highly recommend spraying the solution directly onto the stain if it’s being stubborn. Wait for it to dry before vacuuming and repeat if necessary.
* You can use other essential oils if lavender isn’t your thing. Remember that some oils do have a colour tint so be sure to avoid those so the colour doesn’t transfer to your carpet.
Why Does The Solution Work So Well?
White vinegar has long been known as a magic ingredient for many domestic DIY products because it’s non-toxic and is able to cut through dirt and bacteria. It’s also a much cheaper alternative compared to commercial cleaning products! Vinegar is particularly great for cleaning up pet messes because of its amazing ability to kill the worst of odours.
The solution uses salt because it’s a great deodorising agent. You can also put salt on the stain itself, leaving it for 10 minutes before a vacuum and spritz with the homemade spray.
I like to add lavender essential oil because it makes my carpet smell fantastic and also targets bacteria.
What If A Stain Remains?
Dark stains are usually grease or oil based, and an alcohol or solvent may just do the trick to break down the oily residue and remove the stain. If you’ve tried the vinegar and salt solution and the stain is still there then we suggest blotting the stain with rubbing alcohol, such as Isocol. Wait for the stain to dry, and then apply the rubbing alcohol onto a cloth and then blot the stain gently rubbing the carpet fibres in one direction and then in the reverse direction.
If Everything Fails
Different stains sometimes require different types of stain treatment solutions, or professional assistance. Electrodry’s famous Electro 3 Spot and Stain remover is amazingly effective and easy to use. For larger or more difficult stains such as wine, blood and other spills, you may be best to book the services of a professional carpet cleaning technician.
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