It happens to us all. One moment we're enjoying a really tasty hot dog drenched in cheese, ketchup, and relish. Then suddenly, in slow motion, a huge drop of ketchup launches off the back end of the hot dog bun and plummets towards the floor ending with a splash on the carpet.
Uh, oh!
The thought flashes through your mind that it may be stained forever and you might have to pay for the carpet to be professionally cleaned or even replaced to avoid being charged for the damage at the end of your lease. You scrub violently with a wet old rag, only to find that you aren't doing much other than spreading it around. You dab, pat dry, and are frustrated to find that after all that work, a dark spot will live forever where the ketchup once was.
Not to fear. It doesn't have to end this way, my friends. Here are a few tips on removing stains from your apartment carpet that have worked for me in the past and may help you get out some of those tough to lift spots.
Ketchup, BBQ Sauce, and Salad Dressing
Initially, after a dressing, BBQ, or ketchup spill, if there is a huge glob of it, you will want to scoopup the excess sauce that is gobbed on top with your hand or a maybe the corner of some paper. Next use an oil solvent to remove the grease followed by a good dabbing with white vinegar to help retain the carpets color. After you have done those steps, you'll want to dab the area with cool water and then a dry towel. Lastly, let it air dry. If done properly, you should be stain free! This should also work for mustard, but in some cases because of its strong staining properties, mustard may require additional cleaning.
Blood
I don't need to know why you need to get out bloodstains, but accidents happen...and so does carelessness with scissors and such. So, if you are needing to get blood, egg, or grass stains out of you carpet, you'll want to try using dishwashing detergent and then dabbing with cool water. Blot to get out any excess moisture after dabbing and then let dry.
Red Wine
If I had a nickel for every time this has happened to me, I'd be rich. First use denatured alcohol on the stain. Then dab with white vinegar to remove the remaining color. Dab with cool water and then let dry.
Tea or Cola
You'll want to dab with lemon juice to remove the color, then dab with water. Blot dry.
If you are lucky, well coordinated, and not clumsy many of you will more than likely not ever need to worry about using one of these stain removal techniques. If you are like most of us though, you will, so don't panic and most importantly, remember the golden rule of stain removal which is never to rub the stain. You'll only make things worse.
