How to Remove Fruit Juice Stains from Carpet Colorado

Steps

1. Blot up as much juice as possible with paper towels or a clean white cloth. Time is of the essence to prevent the stain from setting, so start blotting as soon as possible.
2. Decide how to treat the stain. It's essential to use the right stain-removal techniques for a type of carpet. For example, natural fibers, such as wool or grass, can react badly to liquid stain removers (see the warning below concerning these chemicals), and you should always think twice before cleaning antique carpets or valuable rugs. If in doubt, call a professional carpet cleaner.
3. Spray some water on the stain. Put some lukewarm--not hot--water in a spray bottle and lightly dampen the stain. You can also dab some water on the stain with a sponge. Don't get the carpet too wet, or the stain may spread.
4. Blot up the water. Use paper towels to blot the stained area. If the stain persists, try re-moistening the stain and blotting again several times.
5. Prepare the cleaning solution. If the stain's really stubborn, it's time to get tough. Add teaspoon (1 ml) mild, non-bleaching detergent or carpet shampoo to 1 liter of warm--not hot--water. Stir the solution in a bowl to mix thoroughly.
6. Test any cleaning solution in an inconspicuous spot. Before you apply any cleaner--including the one in these directions--to your carpet, test the cleaner on a small patch where no one will see it. Wait a few minutes. If the cleaner discolors or otherwise adversely affects the carpet, remove it immediately with cold water and a sponge. If it ends up causing permanent damage, at least it won't be right in the middle of the room.
7. Apply the cleaning solution to the stain. Moisten a clean, white cloth liberally with the cleaning solution, and simply lay the cloth over the stain.
8. Massage the towel with the bottom of a spoon.Massage the cloth with a spoon. Use the bottom of a spoon to gently press down on the cloth. Gradually work your way all over the cloth, starting on the outside and working your way toward the center in a spiral to prevent spreading the stain. This process works the solution into the carpet without rubbing the stain in or damaging the carpet fibers.
9. Blot the stain and apply more cleaning solution. Blot the stain gently with a paper towel and apply the solution again as in the previous two steps. Keep reapplying and blotting until no trace of the stain is evident on the towel when you blot.
10. Rinse the stain again. Spray some warm water on the stain, and blot to remove excess moisture.
11. Drying the carpet. A towel is placed down first. A book or other heavy weight is set over the towel, and a bag is put between them to prevent the moisture from damaging the weight.Dry the carpet. Place a clean, dry dishtowel or sturdy paper towels over the damp spot. Place a plastic bag over them, and then place a heavy object, such as a large book, over the bag. Wait several hours or overnight before removing the towels. The stain should be gone and, because the drying process lifts even deep stains out, it won't reappear.

Video

Tips

• The longer you wait to remove a stain, the harder it will be to get it out, so act quickly.

Warnings

• A wide array of carpet-cleaning chemicals is available. As a general rule, these should be avoided whenever possible, as they can easily damage carpets and may contain caustic ingredients that are not necessary to remove your specific stain. Most of these products are also harmful to the environment, and may cause allergic reactions or poisoning of the user or of children and pets.
• Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands. While the cleaning solution you make with these instructions isn't as harsh as most chemical cleaners on the market, it's still a good idea to be careful.

Things You'll Need

• White cloths
• Paper towels
• Spray bottle
• Teaspoon
• Sponge
• Water
• Rubber gloves
• Mild non-bleaching detergent
• Bowl
• A heavy weight, (i.e. a book)
• Clear or white plastic bags

Sources and Citations

• VideoJug.com A video on how to remove fruit juice from carpet. The original source of this article. Shared with permission.

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