E Carpet Stains

Armed with glass cleaner, an all purpose cleaner, paper towels or cleaning cloths, swiffer or handheld vacuum cleaner, enter each room with a plan to quickly reclaim the territory from the enemy bacteria, soap scum, mildew, grime and clutter in minutes.

Clean Your Bathrooms

With glass cleaner in hand spray mirrors, faucets, outside of glass shower door and other glass surfaces. Spritz sink and toilet (spray all surfaces including the bowl and under the rim) with all purpose cleaner. Wipe dry the mirrors, faucets, etc. to leave a shine. Now wipe down the sink and the toilet and give the bowl a quick swish with the brush. Replace hand towel if it looks soiled or has not been replaced for a few days. Spray the inside of the tub and shower with a shower spray and then swiffer or sweep the floor and you should be done. This all should take 2-3 minutes or less and your bath is fresh for the day.

Clean Your Kitchen

In the kitchen clear and wipe the counters and bar area, start dishwasher if needed, wipe down the sink and spray with glass cleaner for a quick shine. Wipe off the stove top, spritz first with all purpose cleaner to degrease. Wipe the fridge door and handle if needed and sweep or swiffer the kitchen floor. Use a damp paper towel to quickly wipe any spots from the floor and wipe in front of stove to catch any splatters from cooking. If you use your foot to wipe the floor it keeps you off your hands and knees and it gives your legs a quick bit of exercise. Put up a fresh hand towel, tea towel for drying dishes and dish cloth if needed. This should take 3-5 minutes at the most and if done each day, results in a clean kitchen without the major cleaning project you may hate.

Clean Your Living Room and or Family Room

Do a quick assessing of the needs as you enter the room. Quickly de-clutter by picking up newspapers, books or movies, etc. that may be lying about. Fold throws and place neatly on the back of furniture and rearrange toss pillows. Wipe down tables quickly with a damp cloth some days to remove finger prints or soil otherwise dust with a duster and be on your way to concentrate on the carpet or the floor. Vacuum area rugs or carpet with hand vac for a quick refresh between vacuuming if needed. Swiffer hardwood or tile floors if needed, you may not need to do this each day. This should take only a few minutes 3-6 minutes and you’re off to conquer clutter and mess in another room.

Clean Your Bedroom

Pickup clothes or shoes and put them away. Put away jewelry, purses, etc. back where they belong. Clear the dresser and nightstands and dust with duster if needed. Make the bed and place toss pillows on the head of bed. Sweep or swiffer floors and walk out the door knowing your house is fresh and clean. This will take maybe 5-6 minutes and give you peace of mind in knowing your home is ready for you and your family to enjoy.

Clean Your Front Entry or Back Mud Room

The same holds true here a quick once over and you will be done. Sweeping or vacuuming floors in these entry areas is especially important so that you do not track dirt carried in on shoes to the rest of the house. Of course leaving shoes at the entry way is the best way of keep floors in your house clean.

Other quick tips for cleaning

Take paper napkins that are still clean from the dinner table and turn inside out and dampen and use this to wipe quickly over hardwood floors in kitchen, especially in areas in front of cutting board or stove. Or any area that gets especially dirty and is close at hand (or foot). This makes full use of this paper that would otherwise just be thrown away. It takes less than 30 seconds and saves dirt, grit and grease from being tracked elsewhere in the house. If napkins from dinner are obviously soiled then throw them away, but if it can be repurposed and it is already in your hand, why not make better use of it?

If there is a spill in oven or under burners, clean as soon as it cools. Don’t leave it for later and end up with it cooked or baked on.

When you wash dishes or clean up your kitchen after a meal make sure to wipe dry the kitchen sink and faucet so that hard water spots don’t build up around faucets or on sink edges.

After wiping down counters, sinks, etc in kitchen or bath with all purpose cleaner if needed, wipe over quickly with a paper towel or cloth sprayed with glass cleaner to alleviate streaks and to leave a shine.

When more than dry dusting is required on furniture use a slightly damp cloth or paper towel to wipe first. Then either rinse cloth or moisten a fresh one (cloth should be damp not wet) and then spray with your favorite
furniture polish. This will leave a nice dust free finish without leaving too much product residue, which would only collect dust and show finger prints more rapidly.

Take off shoes when you enter your home. This is the biggest tip I can give for having clean floors and a dust free home. Try it you’ll like it!

Special tip: When you have someone with cold or flu in the home, use disinfectant wipes or disinfectant spray on faucets, handles, light switches, etc. at least once a day. Spray trash cans too and keep trash cans emptied of contaminated waste on a regular basis and don’t allow to overflow. Throw used tissues in trash and not leave laying on floor or nightstand, etc. Change hand towels in bath and kitchen more often during this time.

Conclusion

The above ideas will get you started in keeping your house clean and organized on a continual basis. Of course the routine can and should be adjusted to the needs of your home. If you don’t need to swiffer everyday or in every room then by all means skip this step on those days. If the mirror in bath is spot and streak free then skip this step. Spraying down the sink, faucets and toilet each day in bath and wiping down kitchen counters, sink, etc. everyday at least once is necessary.

When your home is clean and fresh each day the desire to keep it that way will grow as everyone feels less entitled to make a mess of a room that is nice and clean. Plus it is easier to keep things where they belong if they start out that way.

If you get in the habit of giving your house a little attention each day, you will find the perfect balance for you and your family. More heavy duty cleaning jobs will seem less daunting. You will reclaim your territory and conquer the bacteria, soap scum, mildew, grime and clutter in minutes each day and keep the boogie man of a dirty, messy house at bay.

References:

My own home, I employ these ideas in my home on a regular basis and have for many years. I was a single Mom for many years and used this system to maintain our home. I believe a clean home adds a touch of luxury to our life (a very important quality for a single Mom!)

My home is never really dirty, it looks clean and fresh for all that enter to enjoy, but mostly for those of us that live here. This works for me and it can work for you.

Chewing gum stuck in carpet? How can that happen? Someone stepped in gum and did not take their shoes off before entering the house, or maybe the children were doing an unofficial science project and forgot to tell you about it. However it happened, there it is. It just sits there mocking you, almost laughing at how it has decorated your lovely carpet. You do not have to put up with that. You can take care of that chewing gum with some items you probably have in the home.

How to get gum out of carpet without ice

The most popular method is to freeze it. Grab a freezer bag and load it with some ice cubes. Place that bag on the gum and walk away. Let it sit for around half an hour. Use this time to instruct your loved ones about shoes, carpet, and science projects.

The chewing gum should be frozen and brittle by now and you can remove the ice pack. Take a simple butter knife and gently scrape the gum upwards. If you are lucky, it will begin to lift and stay in one piece. It might remind you of play dough or silly putty at this point. If you aren’t as lucky, it will crack and break into pieces. This if fine, it just takes a little more work to scrape at each broken chuck. Once you have most of it up, you might try refreezing it again and repeat the process.

Clean Ground in Chewing Gum

If the gum is old and really ground into the carpet it might be a bit harder. Still try the ice method, but if that doesn’t work, you can try putting a small amount of peanut butter on the gum. The oil in the peanut butter softens the gum and you can dab at it to get it up. The peanut butter will leave a bit of oily residue though, so then you have to use some water and a tiny amount of dish washing soap to dab at that. This can be a bit tricky, so you might want to call a professional carpet cleaner in to take care of it.

Clean Chewing Gum with Patience

With both methods, patience is the key. It takes time. Work slowly and gently. Rubbing and pulling can damage your carpet fibers so remember the time spent is saving you from frustration. If you don’t have the patience to deal with it, you can always call a professional carpet cleaner to handle it for you.

6 Steps Remove Gum from Carpet with Vinegar

#1. Place ice cubes in a plastic zip bag and set the bag on the site of the stuck gum, whether it’s on your clothing, upholstery or carpet. Leave the ice bag on the gum for 15 minutes or so to cause the gum to harden.

#2. Scrape the gum substance from the surface, using the dull side of a table knife. Dispose of the hardened gum in the garbage.

#3. Heat 1/2 cup white vinegar, placed in a microwave-safe bowl, in the microwave for 30 seconds or until warm.

#4. Dip an old toothbrush into the warmed vinegar. Scrub at the gum remnants on your fabric, upholstery or carpet, using the toothbrush. As you scrub with the warm vinegar, the remaining gum will ball up onto the toothbrush.

#5. Remove the gum from the toothbrush with a paper towel. Dip the toothbrush in the warmed vinegar and repeat the process, if necessary, until all the gum is removed.

#6.  Launder clothing according to the directions and allow your upholstery and carpet to air-dry. The smell of vinegar will dissipate when it dries.

To remove chewing gum from carpet, you can use your hair dryer. Just heat the gum, being careful not to melt any carpet fibers. Then you can use a piece of plastic wrap or a plastic bag to lift the softened gum away. Allow it to stick to the plastic, and pull it up. This will often get most of the gum.

To remove chewing gum from carpet, get out your electric hair dryer. Heat the gum, being careful not to melt the carpet fibers. Use a piece of plastic wrap or a plastic bag to lift the softened gum away. Just allow it to stick to the plastic, then pull it up. This may get most of it.

Next, apply Extra Strength Ben Gay, or another muscle rub containing methyl salicylate. Use plastic again, or a rag to pull more gum out. Repeat if necessary. Once you completely remove the chewing gum from the carpet, clean the area with a mild detergent solution (a few drops of dish soap in a cup of warm water will work). Rinse with warm water and dry the area.

 

Hydrogen Peroxide is an amazing and versatile cleaner. Its many uses range from cleaning and disinfecting cuts and scrapes to cleaning exterior wood decks to cleaning carpets.

Hydrogen Peroxide also goes by the name “Color Safe Bleach” or “Oxy—-“and has gained in popularity recently partly due to the rise of GREEN Cleaning. As a professional carpet cleaner I have met people who are allergic or have chemical sensitivities to every kind of cleaner on the market except alcohol and Hydrogen Peroxide. For these customers we actually use a powdered version of Hydrogen Peroxide formulated specifically for carpets to both pre-spray and rinse the carpets. The same customers have told me they buy it in bulk and use it for cleaning everything it the house.

Is Hydrogen Peroxide safe to use on carpets?

In most cases Yes, however always pre test in an inconspicuous spot like a closet and do not use on wool. The 3% solution you buy at the store is very safe, but still capable of removing all types of organic stains including Pet Urine, Blood, and Vomit(depending on whats in it). Not only will it remove pet urine stains, but it will also help remove the odor.

We use stronger dilution every day on customers carpet to pre-treat specific spots like pet urine and as a post treatment/ last resort stain remover on mystery stains. Because it works until it dries you don’t want to rinse it out too soon and on really bad stains you can reapply it or even cover it with a piece of plastic to slow the drying time and keep it working longer.

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide on Carpet Stains

• Buy a bottle of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide from the drug store (old solutions do lose potency)
• Pre test the on an inconspicuous are of your carpet
• Apply a little hydrogen peroxide to your carpet stain, urine, blood, or other organic stain and keep an eye on it
• If the stain is removed you may choose to rinse out the product using a little water to neutralize it and a wet vac or if you don’t have a wet vac a little water and a white towel to blot it up
• If the stain is not removed after the product is dry, and the stain has lightened up then re apply and repeat until the stain is gone or no longer lightens in color.

Clean Carpets with Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide

You will need some 3% hydrogen peroxide, ordinary dishwashing detergent and normal baking soda to make a wonderfully efficient homemade carpet cleaning solution.

If your pet has just had an accident on your rug, don’t rush towards your local carpet cleaning company just yet. You can use these ingredients to successfully remove the stain as well as that unpleasant urine odour as well.

First of all, as with all sorts of spills, you need to soak up all of the liquid as possible. I have found that the best way to do that is by placing a clean rug or some paper towels on top of the stained area and press it with something heavy. Repeat this step until there is hardly any transfer of the spilled liquid or urine left on the towels.

Then, sprinkle baking soda on top of the stain. Baking soda is a very efficient and safe odour-removing product. Let it sit for a while, and meanwhile, mix half a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide and one teaspoon of your dishwashing detergent. Then pour the mixture slowly on top of the baking soda and the stain. Use a cloth to gently apply the solution into the fibres of your carpet. Don’t rub it, though, so that you don’t damage the carpet or increase the diameter of the stain!

Let the solution sit for about 15 minutes, and after that vacuum it thoroughly. You can dry it up with a hairdryer to see if the effect is satisfactory. If necessary, repeat the treatment once again.

If you find that after a while, your rug is still smelly, sprinkle it generously with baking soda and let it sit overnight. The baking soda will absorb the smell, so in the morning, after you vacuum the rug thoroughly, the smell will be gone.

3% hydrogen peroxide can also be used for steam cleaning or washing the carpet. You can make your own homemade cleaning solution to add to the tank of your carpet steam cleaner. All you need is some liquid soap, the 3% hydrogen peroxide and hot water. Then, proceed to steam clean the carpet as you would with any cleaning solution. The result will be great, and your home will be free of any harmful toxins which many of the chemical-based cleaning detergents tend to emit.

What is the best homemade carpet cleaning solution?

Synthetic-Carpet Cleaners

Dip a white cloth into these solutions and apply to the stain. Never pour the solutions directly onto carpeting.

Detergent solution: Mix 1/4 teaspoon of a translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into one cup of lukewarm water.

Vinegar solution: Mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups of water.

Solvent solution: Use an oil solvent. Or substitute nail-polish remover, such as Cutex Quick & Gentle non-acetone polish remover.

Natural-Fiber-Carpet Cleaners

Place these solutions (except the solvent) in spray bottles and mist them lightly onto the stain.

Detergent solution: Mix one teaspoon of translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into 1 cup of lukewarm water.

Vinegar solution: Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1/4 cup of water.

Ammonia solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with 1/2 cup of lukewarm water.

Solvent solution: Same as for synthetic carpets (see above).

Cleaning stains from carpets can be done safely and effectively using natural ingredients. Many homeowners opt to use natural carpet cleaning products due to environmental concerns, allergies, cost, and child safety. Natural carpet cleaning ingredients are capable of removing a variety of stains and odors. Fortunately, natural products can be purchased at most grocery stores for a fraction of the price of chemical cleaners. The following steps will explain how to clean carpet stains naturally.

1. Treat light stains. Fill a squirt bottle with one part vinegar and one part water. Spray the mixture directly on the stained portion of the carpet. Let mixture set for 10 minutes. Use a soft nylon brush to gently brush the stain from the carpet. Use a towel dampened with water to gently wipe up the remaining mixture. Blot dry with a clean cloth.

2. Remove heavy stains. Combine 1/2-cup borax, 1/2-cup salt, and 1/2-cup vinegar in a medium size bowl. Stir mixture until it becomes a paste. Apply a generous amount of the mixture to the stain. Gently work the paste into the stained area until it is saturated. Allow to set for 2 hours. Vacuum the dried mixture from the carpet. Use a dampened cloth to remove any leftover residue, and blot dry.

3. Remove fresh stains. Pour a generous amount of club soda directly on the stain. Use a dry cloth to gently blot the area. Repeat this process as many times as necessary until the stain is completely removed. Finish by blotting the area with a clean dry cloth until it is dry to the touch.

4. Clean up pet urine stains. Use a dry cloth or paper towel to soak up the urine as much as possible. Combine 1 1/2-qt warm water with 1-cup vinegar in a medium tub. Use a sponge to apply mixture to the stained area. Rub the mixture into the carpet, and rinse sponge between applications. Use a dry cloth to blot away any remaining moisture. When carpet is completely dry, sprinkle baking soda on the area where the stain was located. Leave on for 20 minutes. Vacuum the area thoroughly. The mixture of vinegar and baking soda will kill bacteria and eliminate the urine odor.

5. Remove grease stains. Place an absorbent towel on top of the grease stain to absorb excess moisture. Do not press the towel into the carpet. Doing so will embed the grease stain further into the carpet. Remove the towel. Pour a generous amount of corn starch on the stain. Allow to set for 24 hours. Vacuum up the remaining corn starch. Use a soft nylon brush to remove any remaining debris from the carpet fibers.

You can eliminate your small permanent carpet stains with this do it yourself carpet dye kit and color match your spots. Your carpet is a major investment, you maintain it by vacuuming it on a regular basis, and have the carpet cleaned professionally when needed and spot clean it also to keep its new carpet color appearance. Unfortunately carpet spots and stains can and do occur. For example, carpet spots drips and drops of bleach, acne medication which contains benzoyl peroxide, and other chemicals that will remove the carpets color and alter the carpets appearance.

This carpet dye system will include the carpet color or colors needed to remedy your stains. This carpet kit is an alternative to replacement and may save you hundreds of dollars . Check out my testimonial page for many past success stories and feel free to contact any of them.