Summertime Crafts and Carpeting Don't Always Mix

Summer is here and the kids are going to be home most days, so there is the issue of keeping them busy and entertained. You'll have days at an amusement park or the local city park and you'll have days, like rainy days, that they'll be stuck in the house looking for things to do. They'll only be satisfied with DVD movies for so long, then they are going to get out those left over paints from art class.

You walk in to a room and not only do they have a wonderful masterpiece they've created for you to place on the refrigerator, but they also left somewhat of a masterpiece on the carpet too! Before you explode or faint, BIBO (Breath In, Breath Out) and let American Cleaning and Restoration provide you some tips to cleaning that mess up.

First identify the paint type. Did your little Rembrandt use and oil-based paint or a water-based acrylic paint? What's the difference? Well an acrylic or water-based paint are designed to be water soluble, which if your little artist used paint from an elementary grade, is most likely what kind of paint you have on your carpet. However, if it was an older kid's paint, it most likely is an oil-based paint and will be a little more difficult to remove.

After you have identified the type of paint, read the label on the paint package. While both acrylic and water-based paint mean any non-washable fabric that suffered are probably headed to the rag box in the garage, carpet and furniture may be saved. First, scrape up as much of the paint as possible and blot with an absorbent, clean towel that you don't care about. It’s important to keep the paint stain moist. If the paint has already dried, brush off what you can with a hard-bristled brush. Next, add soapy water or a paint remover and scrape off the remaining paint. Spray the area with water and, with a clean towel, blot with rubbing alcohol.

Keep repeating these steps until the stain is removed. If you have a large paint stain, soak it with water and
lay clean towels over the stain then blot before applying the above method. If the paint stain is from a water-based paint, another solution we suggest is apply soap, turpentine, and water to the stain while still soft. If you don't find the stain until its hardened, use the same brushing procedure described above and then apply turpentine to soften. If the paint stain is wet, do not use liquid paint remover!

If none of these work, give us a call a professional carpet cleaner like American Cleaning and Restoration before you get quotes on new carpet! We have the equipment and products along with experience that will get most stains out.

Clean Your Carpet Naturally

The carpet stain removers you can buy today are petroleum-based solvents that may have chlorine and other caustic substances in them which can be harmful to your children and pets. What you may not realize is that many of your carpet stains can be cleaned with all natural substances like vinegar and water.

American Cleaning & Restoration offers the following list of tips on cleaning those small stains quickly yourself:

Crayons and Glue

There is no doubt that you will find crayon, glue, or gum on your carpet at some point while raising children and you can't always afford to have a professional carpet cleaning service when you find it. Take a toothbrush, dip it in vinegar, then scrub the area. For glue, you will need to mix vinegar with water, heat it up, and use the same process of scrubbing with a toothbrush. For a stubborn stain, you may need to let it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing.

Grease

This could happen with the handy husband just as easy as it can with one of the kids. Sprinkle a small amount of cornmeal and let it sit for 5 minutes then vacuum up. Next use the vinegar and water solution described above and sponge the area with the solution.

Chocolate, Coffee, and Cola

With the kids home this summer, you are going to have the spills! A solution of vinegar and water will clean those stains quick and easy. Mix 1 cup vinegar with 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Spray on the area, lightly brush with a toothbrush then blot dry with a clean towel. Just plain water won’t remove coffee or tea spills and dried stains, so it’s best to go back to the vinegar and water process.

Mildew

When there are liquid spills that are allowed to just sit, mold grows. By mixing a ratio of 1 to 1 vinegar and water, treat the area needed and allow to dry. It’s best if you can put the carpet outside to dry. If not, use a hairdryer.

Red Wine

This may be one of the easiest stains to clean! Sprinkle salt on the spot and hold a towel over the area for 15 minutes then vacuum. If there is any residue, mix up a 1 to 1 ratio of vinegar and water, apply and blot with a dry towel.

Once you have got the summer settled down, call a professional carpet cleaning company to do your whole house. Make sure you point out troubled areas and let them know what treatments you used when cleaning the spots.