15 Ways to Fix Everything With Vinegar Despite your best efforts at cleanliness, your carpet will eventually become the victim of drops, spills, accidents, and whatever's on the bottom of your shoes. To learn how professionals handle problem areas and keep carpets looking new, we spoke with cleaning expert Mark Tarbox, the owner of Best Carpet Cleaning Experts in San Antonio, Texas, who has more than 30 years of experience. Blot Stains, Don't Rub ThemBlot Stains, Don't Rub ThemDab stains with a cleaning solution and a clean cloth, paper towels, or a sponge. "The key is blotting. Blotting puts a small amount of pressure on the stain to soak it up," Tarbox says. "Rubbing causes the particles to get ground into the carpet fibers, and this can lead to the premature breakdown of those fibers." Always blot from the outside of the stain inward, as blotting outward can spread the stain. The Club Soda ProcessThe Club Soda ProcessYou may have heard that club soda is effective against beer and wine stains.

It's true—if you use it correctly.Blot the area with the soda on a cloth. If that doesn't work, mix one part white vinegar with one part water and pour it into a handheld sprayer. Spray the solution on the entire stained area and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to soak in. Then press a clean sponge onto the area to soak up the solution and the stain. Tarbox says you may have to repeat this process to eradicate the stain.Once the stain is gone, rinse the spot with warm water. Use your hand to brush the carpet strands into their natural direction. Finally, lay white paper towels over the area and weigh them down with something heavy, like a phone book. The towels will absorb the dampness from the carpet. Leave the towels in place until the carpet is dry, usually about one day. 3 Tough Chainsaws, Tested How to Fix Washing Machine and Dryer Problems What to Do When You Find Old, Disconnected Wiring Behind Your Walls How to Make Speaker Holes in Your Ceiling 4 Tips for Building Your Own Bar

8 Tips for Installing Laminate Flooring Who Knew Watching a Box Get Built Could Be So Satisfying? Stacked Wood Screens Are Certainly One Way to Cover Your Fireplace How to Install & Cut Crown Molding Easily Tips & Tools to Regrout Your Bathroom How to Build This DIY WorkbenchWhether it be grape juice, a little present from Fido, or finger-paint artwork from your 3-year-old, it seems whatever is not supposed to get on the carpet always does. Here are a few tips from carpet manufacturer Shaw and rug maker and importer Nourison on how to clean your carpets using products you can find around your house. What You Should Know Before You Start To remove a stain, simply blot the spot and dry working from the outside in, rinse thoroughly with clean water, then blot again. Never scrub the carpet, or you risk ruining the carpet fibers or letting the spill soak through to the carpet pad. For more specific advice, find your type of stain below. In addition to these methods, there are several spot removers on the market;

before you try one, test it out in an inconspicuous spot to make sure it doesn't discolor your carpet. wet or latex paint Use a simple cleaning solution made up of 1/4 teaspoon of nonbleach detergent (or white vinegar) mixed with 32 ounces of water. Try 1 tablespoon of ammonia mixed with 1 cup of water (but not on wool or wool-blend carpet; instead use mild detergent and water). las vegas european pool partiesIf that doesn't work, you can try one part chlorine bleach to five parts water, but only on solution-dyed carpets, such as polypropylene. are pools in las vegas heatedBleach will harm other types of carpets; commercial carpet cleaning bufferscheck with the manufacturer if you are unsure what type of carpet you have.best carpet cleaner for tea stains

Fat, Oil, and Wax Place a paper towel over the carpet and iron on warm setting. The wax, fat, or oil should come up off the carpet and stick to the paper towel. These can be removed by gently rubbing the pile with the edge of a hard and flat surface, such as a dull knife. Moisten a cotton ball or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol and press it on the affected area. commercial carpet cleaners birminghamOnce the glue residue is thoroughly moistened, gently wipe it off and repeat until the carpet is clean.best vacuum cleaner upright bag Use ice to freeze the wax or gum, then shatter it with a blunt object, such as a spoon. Vacuum before the pieces soften, and blot the carpet with a white towel. Blot the area with a rag dipped in nail polish remover. Absorb as much as possible with white towels, then blot with a damp, cool cloth.

Next, spray or blot with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water. Finally, apply a solution of 1/2 teaspoon of clear, mild, nonbleach detergent mixed with 32 ounces of water, rinse, and blot dry. If the urine was the result of a dog's accident, you may also want to try a housebreaking aid such as No-Go. Even if you don't have any mishaps, you should always have your carpet thoroughly cleaned every 12 to 18 months. There are many professional carpet cleaning services, or you can rent a steam carpet cleaner. They are usually available at your supermarket. If you decide to do it yourself rather than hire a pro, you need to keep a few things in mind. • Make sure the cleaning equipment you choose has enough vacuum power to allow the carpet to dry in 6 to 12 hours or you may risk damage from getting it too wet. • Use fans or a dehumidifier to expedite drying time after cleaning. Be aware that if your carpet is wet for more than 24 hours, you risk mildew and bacteria growth.