Earlier this year, we discussed reasons why carpet wears out before its time, along with these five tips for helping your carpet to last longer.
Interestingly, 85% of the people who answered our poll question that day said they have carpet in their homes, which indicates that keeping carpets clean may be a challenge for most people.
In addition to the tips listed above, our awesome readers also provided some good carpet-protecting advice:
“Leave shoes at the door & investing in a high-quality entry mat is worth the expense! A lot of the dirt, debris and chemicals are tracked in on our shoes. The Norwex Entry Mat has worked well in our home/piano studio!”
Amelia Flickinger, Norwex Movement member
“Another tip to extend the life of your carpet. Vacuum in two directions. This will maximize the cleaning while only hauling out the vacuum and fighting the cord once!”
Kim Metzger, Norwex Movement member
And this from Deb Pearl, Movement guest
“Thank you for all the tips on how to make your carpets last longer. I just got some new carpet down in my basement and I would love to keep it looking good. I’m glad you mentioned that carpets need to be deep cleaned every 18 to 24 months. I will have to make sure I get it cleaned often.”
We’ve also discussed specific tips for tackling those extra-tough carpet stains that water usually won’t remove completely (such as blood, pet urine, fat-based stains, wine and gum). But one type of stain we haven’t talked about yet is coffee.
So what is the best way to get coffee stains out of carpet?
A quick online search yields various “recipes” for creating your own coffee-stain removal solution. For example, you can mix two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with a tablespoon of dish soap. (Of course, if you’re going to the trouble of mixing your own formula, we recommend you use a biodegradable dish soap without any environmentally harmful chemicals like phosphates or phthalates.)
Be sure to blot the spill first, then apply the solution. Let it sit for a few seconds before carefully working the solution in with your fingers. Rinse the stain with water, blot and repeat until it’s gone. Always test an inconspicuous area first to make sure your solution doesn’t affect the carpet’s color.
A much easier option may be to use an enzyme-based product that’s specially formulated to penetrate, dissolve and remove all kinds of stains. Enzymes like protease, amylase, cellulase and lipase work together to form an extremely robust and potent blend that can remove a wide variety of organic carpet stains, including coffee with cream. As an added bonus, it’s also great at neutralizing odors!
As with all carpet stains and spills, you’ll want to act quickly to remove the source of the stain as soon as the accident occurs. The longer a stain has to set in, the harder it can be to remove.
Did you ever have a carpet stain that you were sure wouldn’t come out? How did you achieve success? Our readers want to know! Please share your success story in the comments below.Resources:
My stain remover formula: 1 tsp. Norwex powder laundry detergent (UPP is so much easier to type!) dissolved in 1 cup boiling water. Cool. Pour into spray bottle. Spray stain on carpet. Let sit 5 minutes. Use wet envirocloth to scrub carpet. Allow to dry and viola! Stain is usually gone. Repeat process if necessary.
I have area rugs, so I always dust first, then vacuum, then sweep & mop. That way, if the vacuum kicks up dust, at least it’s not on my floors!
I know that you can look into getting a carpet stain removal. It is nice to know that a professional can clean up a coffee stain as well. This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the best safety possible.