- Treat the stain immediately.
- For liquid stains, blot up as much of the liquid as possible. And blot it up - don't scrub (scrubbing can damage the carpet pile and leave matted fibres). Next, dilute the stain with cold water and continue blotting until the stain fades. Don't saturate the carpet with water - if the backing becomes wet it can create new stains or even grow mould.
- Candle wax, crayon and gum are easier to remove after being frozen with ice.
- Treat the residue with an appropriate spot cleaner. Test the cleaner first on an inconspicuous patch of carpet, to check that it won't affect the colour. To stop the stain from spreading, work from the outside edges in towards the centre.
IMPORTANT: if the stain isn't liquid and looks serious - oily footprints tracked in, for example - don't touch it until you've called your insurance company. You may find that repairing the damage is covered by your contents policy.
More information
- Carpet care: www.woolsnz.com
- Carpet Cleaners Association of New Zealand: www.carpetcleaners.org.nz
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