6 August 2019
Real Estate Sorting out Stains: How to remove those pesky marks
Stains, they happen to the best of us. Easily created, but not so easily managed. At Lugtons, we understand the need to maintain your property, whether you are selling your home, own an investment property, or have issues in your current owner-occupied property. To stop you from reaching for the nearest bottle of cleaning solution before you’ve thought through your process, we’ve created a how-to guide to help you remove those stains and pesky marks.
What are they
Unless our home is brand new, we all have a pesky mark or stain around the house. These are defined as something that is difficult to remove, and include everything from grass stains, to red wine and beyond.
The nitty gritty
You’ve tried and tried again to remind people to be careful on your new carpet, but it happened. Someone ran through your home with their muddy, grass-stained shoes. Then someone dropped a glass of red wine. There was a mishap with your new puppy, who didn’t quite make it out in time. And then you finished it off by dropping the dipping oil, while bringing out your pre-dinner snacks.
As much as we’d love to think a little soap and water will be sufficient to remove our common household stains, sometimes we have to look elsewhere. The most important aspect of stain removal is pre-treating as soon as possible – the sooner you can start soaking out the stain, the better the chances of being able to remove them. When using a new product to pre-treat, always test a discreet area (where possible) to make sure the product won’t damage your surface.
1. Mud and grass
When the outdoors has come inside, it’s important to allow the dirt to completely dry before attempting any cleaning. Once dried, scrape off as much dirt as possible and then vacuum up the excess. You’ll need to apply a detergent solution to help get the rest off the floor. Place one teaspoon of dishwashing detergent in a cup of lukewarm water. Use a cloth and blot (or dab) until the stain disappears.
2. Wine
You made a pour decision and went for the red wine over the white today… Then kicked it all over the carpet. Unless you keep a supply in your cupboard for moments just like this, you may have to pop off to the supermarket to get yourself a bottle of Club Soda. Once acquired, blot the stain with the Club Soda until the wine disappears from the carpet, cleaning the cloth as you go.
3. Urine
There is nothing cuter than an overexcited puppy, except when it leads to a mess on the carpet. If this happens, create a vinegar solution, consisting of one-part water and one-part vinegar. The vinegar will neutralise the ammonia smell of the urine – without any negative effects, like fading the carpet, or effecting the fibres. With this method, you’ll need to slowly pour the solution onto the stained carpet area. Let it absorb for 10 minutes, then layer paper towels on top to soak up the liquid. Once the carpet is almost dry, sprinkle baking soda on to absorb the odour and the remaining water, and vacuum off.
4. Oil based stains
You’ve accidentally dropped your container filled with olive oilon the carpet. The key to oil stains is to wash them with the hottest water possible, as soon as possible, in a hope to dissolve the oil from the fabric. It’s also a good idea to pre-treat the stain with baking soda prior to placing the hot water on – this will absorb any of the excess oil.
5. Pre-existing stains
While it is better to clean a stain at the time it happens, sometimes this isn’t possible. Popular cleaning agents to help with pre-existing stains include homemade solvents, club soda, or hydrogen peroxide and water, all paired with some good old-fashioned elbow grease. Always test your solution on an area of the carpet prior to use, to make sure it doesn’t have a negative response. Alternatively, we’d recommend hiring a professional carpet cleaner – they have machinery and solutions that are only available within their industry.
Cleaners at the ready
Stains are the definition of frustrating, but before you buy yourself a rug to cover up your new carpet or retire your lounge suite, first look to see what cleaning options are available to you.
If you need help in finding providers to clean up your home, contact the Lugtons team today. We’re always to happy to help our clients find solutions to keep their homes market ready.
