Getting stains out of rugs is actually a lot easier–and sometimes greener–than many people think. The trick is knowing the fabric of the rug, and also knowing exactly what the stain is. Removing a stain as soon as it happens is easier than letting is sit. It doesn’t need to be expensive or time consuming to remove stains, and those who are wary of chemicals can rest assured there are plenty of chemical-free ways to get rugs clean. Start with these six common stains for a cleaner look and fatter wallet.
1. Food
Most foods like gravy, berry juice and colas can be removed with a simple bleach or vinegar solution and water. Simply use 32 ounces (one Nalgene bottle) of warm water and add ¼ tablespoon of bleach or white vinegar. The stain will easily wipe away, and this trick can also be used with ink stains, excrement, mud or paint. It’s cheap, it works and it’s an organic solution that also removes any harmful bacteria from the site.
2. Blood, Chocolate and Coffee
It sounds like a sinful mix, but non-water soluble stains including mustard, tea, wine and vomit can be removed with an ammonia solution. It’s a simple one cup of water and one teaspoon of ammonia mixture. However, sometimes stains are mixed and homeowners may need to do both a bleach and ammonia removal. This is fine, but never mix ammonia and bleach together–it’s a toxic recipe.
3. Fat, Oil and Wax
It’s exceptionally easy to remove these stains: Just put a paper towel over the area and iron on a low heat. The residue will re-liquify and stick to the paper towel. Be careful not to burn the paper, since there’s a mild fire hazard with this remedy.
4. Cigarette Burns
The tell-tale sign of cigarette burns can be removed by gently rubbing the area with a dull surface. Of course, this won’t “re-grow” the rug, but it will remove the blackened segment and often leaves the rug looking as good as new.
5. Nail Polish
Dip a rag into nail polish remover and gently blot the area. This can work effectively, but don’t get too aggressive with the polish remover. It can have a bleaching effect if there’s too much remover involved, which is especially risky on dark rugs. The best candidates are multi-colored rugs and a conservative hand.
Sadly, sometimes a stain is just too serious for an easy fix. If the rug is a goner, make sure to invest in a high-quality replacement rug from a place like Woven Online. A great rug will last a lifetime (assuming no major disaster spills) and can change the entire vibe of a room. Happy shopping, and try to keep the party away from the new addition.
