Yes, You Can Clean Your Own Carpet

Carpets can be very expensive and it can be frustrating when you accidentally spill stuff on it. If you don't want random substances to ruin your centerpiece, you better act quick! Have the following in stock at all times: carpet shampoo, ammonia, vinegar, dry-cleaning solvent, and clean white cloth for blotting. Continue reading to learn how to use them on different kinds of stains: 

1. For butter, crayon, cooking oil, gravy, lotion or salad dressing: Apply detergent, blot, apply water and finish off by blotting. 

2. For cheese, chocolate, soil, mud, ice cream, ketchup, mayo or glue: Apply a dab of diluted detergent, blot, ammonia, blot, add another dab of detergent and finish off by air drying.

3. For red wine, coffee, fruit juice, smoothies or soda: Apply a dab of detergent, blot, splash with white vinegar, blot, rinse with water and finish off by blotting. 

4. For gum, melted candle or wax: Freeze spots with ice cubes, smash it with a knife to shatter the stain, vacuum off and finish the job by blotting. Repeat process if necessary. 

5. For dye, food coloring, liquid, shoe polish and rust: It's best to leave this one to the pros! These items tend to stain deep and you don't want to risk it with DIY solutions. 

RL Tip: Before you proceed, check if you'll damage color by applying a bit of cleaning agent to a small part of the carpet first. 

This snippet is from the original article (One Bed, The Color Red and A Big Problem) in the January-February 2004 issue of Real Living Magazine. Download your digital copy of Real Living on the Real Living App now! Log on to summitnewsstand.com.ph/real-living for more details.