Some types of carpet stains are easier to remove than others. Wine, coffee and blood can all cause tough stains that normal cleaners and cleaning techniques won’t remove. When dealing with these types of stains, you have to be extremely careful, as you could accidentally damage your carpet.

Below, we provide information on tough carpets stains and the best ways of removing them.

Bloodstains

A small cut could result in a bloodstain on your carpet. These stains are usually difficult to remove, though a little cold water and dish soap might do the trick. As opposed to warm water, cold water keeps blood from solidifying. Simply fill a bottle with cold water, and add 2 tablespoons of mild dish soap. Thoroughly spray the stain, and dry with a soft paper towel or rag.

The best way to remove a bloodstain is by tackling it as soon as possible. If the bloodstain has had time to set, you’ll likely need a professional cleaning service to remove it.

Pet stains

It’s hard to find your pets cute when one of them makes a mess on the carpet. It’s especially annoying when said mess leaves a tough stain. As with blood, it’s important to attack the stain as soon as you notice it. Pick up any solid waste, and blot any urine spots. This could take care of the stains; however, urine that has already had a chance to dry will be much harder to remove.

To remove set-in pet stains, you’ll need to moisten the carpet and apply a specialized cleaning product. You can also try spraying the area with a white vinegar solution. After spraying, blot the area, and allow it to dry. Once dry, apply a little baking soda to the area, and leave it for 24 hours. After that, simply vacuum the area.

Ink stains

Ink stains are one of the most difficult to remove from carpets. Try dabbing the stain with a clean cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Nail polish removers and certain hairsprays can sometimes remove ink stains as well; however, it’s important to be cautious when using either product, as they could damage your carpet. Be sure to avoid leaving alcohol, nail polish remover or hairspray on your carpet for very long.

Kool-Aid stains

Kool-Aid is a popular treat for children of all ages. It’s easy for a child to trip and cause a bright red stain on your carpet. If this happens, don’t panic. Soak up the excess Kool-Aid with a clean towel, and spray with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of dish soap and ¼ cup of white vinegar. Let the mixture soak into the carpet for about 10 minutes; then dry the area with a clean towel.

Contact the right carpet cleaning service

No matter how hard you try, it can seem almost impossible to remove tough stains—that’s when it’s best to contact a professional carpet cleaning service. A professional cleaning service knows how to remove the toughest stains without causing damage to your carpet.

If you’re in need of top-quality carpet cleaning services at fair prices, contact Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center today.

As fall gets in full swing, you can count on wet weather and lots of leaves, both of which can easily be tracked inside the house and take a toll on your carpets. By being proactive about carpet cleaning and maintenance during the fall, you can preserve the appearance and plush comfort of the flooring throughout your home.

Here’s what you need to do to make your carpets ready for fall:

Invest in a shoe rack

One of the best ways to prepare your carpets for fall (and for any season, really) is to enforce a no-shoes policy in the house. It’s all too easy to track in dirt, mud, leaves and other landscaping debris during the fall, so getting your kids or guests to kick off their shoes the moment they enter the house can save your carpets from extensive damage. Buying a shoe rack can help you enforce your no-shoes policy, acting as a silent reminder that shoes come off as soon as you enter the house.

Vacuum regularly

When fall arrives, you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and vacuum carpets more regularly than usual. As a general rule, vacuum high-traffic areas at least twice a weekly and all other carpeted spaces at least once weekly. Frequent vacuuming reduces soil buildup, preserving the appearance of your carpet. When vacuuming, always start with a clean bag or filter, and make sure to vacuum slowly enough to suck up all dirt that may have been tracked into the house.

Invest in protective rugs

Carpeting is meant to be walked on, but fall weather conditions often make it a challenge to keep carpets clean. Consider purchasing some protective rugs to cover high-traffic areas like foyers, living rooms, dining rooms and hallways. Many homeowners find that it’s wise to leave the rugs in place even after the fall season to protect carpet from showing wear patterns from heavy foot traffic.

Rotate furniture

Every time the seasons change, it’s a great opportunity to rotate furniture and prevent premature wear areas. Even the highest-quality carpets can wear at confined areas of the carpet pile, and it’s easy for dirt to work its way into both the pile and backing. Move the furniture around if your room layout allows to preserve your flooring.

Consider professional carpet cleaning

Sometimes all it takes is a deep cleaning to get your carpets looking their best for the fall season and beyond. Professional carpet cleaning not only gets your floors in better visual condition, but it also makes them plusher and softer, providing long-lasting comfort underfoot. Carpet cleaning in the fall ensures that your home is well prepared for upcoming holiday gatherings with family and friends, instantly making your home more inviting and welcoming.

Now that you know exactly how to prepare your carpets for fall, take some time to implement the steps listed above, and reach out to your local carpet cleaning experts for a deep, thorough clean. Contact Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center to discover more carpet care tips and to schedule your cleaning before the holiday rush.

Your carpet undergoes a lot of wear and tear, from rambunctious kids and pets to enthusiastic dinner party guests armed with red wine. Dirt, food, mud, grime, pet hair and dander and mystery stains can all make your carpets look old before their time.

Thankfully, carpet cleaning can help fix any messes. But how often do you need to clean your carpet with help from a professional cleaner? Here’s what you need to know about carpet care.

Vacuuming

How often do you vacuum? If the answer is something along the lines of “only when I absolutely have to,” you’re not alone—but you may need to ramp up your cleaning schedule. Vacuuming at least once per week removes surface dirt and debris, before it has a chance to get ground in deep.

When you go without vacuuming for too long, any dirt or grime can get smashed into the carpet. This will abrade the fibers and make it a lot harder for a professional cleaner to remove that caked-in debris.

Of course, vacuuming won’t remove the need for professional cleaning entirely—but if you vacuum weekly, it will help ensure your carpet can go longer between more intensive cleanings.

Do you have children?

If you have kids, you know that a parent’s least favorite utterance is “uh-oh,” especially when you have carpets throughout your home. Homeowners with children should make it a point to clean their carpets every six to 12 months. Not only will this help cut down on permanent stains—and extend the lifespan of your carpet—but it will help keep your carpets fresh and clean for the small people who spend a lot of time close to the floor.

Do you have pets?

Pets are adorable, but they’re also dirty creatures—even if you bathe them regularly. They can track dirt, mud and insects into the house, in addition to shedding a whole host of pet dander and fur. Plus, your pet will undoubtedly have an accident or two in their lifetime. This is a nightmare for anyone with allergies, let alone a neat freak.

If you’ve got pets in your household, you should aim to have your carpets professionally cleaned every three to six months. This is especially important if your pets tend to urinate on the carpets, as that can soak into the padding and leave a smelly mess. Unless you want to replace your entire carpet every time Fido decides to make a case for dog diapers, getting professional cleaning is the best way to go.

Who should I hire for carpet cleaning?

There are a lot of carpet cleaners out there, so choosing the right one is important. Look for a company that prides itself on high-quality carpet care, like Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center. We use a hot extraction method to ensure all stains come out of your carpet, leaving behind a fresh, clean floor covering.

When you’re ready to schedule your first appointment and have us come clean your carpet, call us right away!

We all love our pets and want them to be in the house with us. But keeping a house nice and tidy can be a challenge for pet owners with carpeting in their home. It’s not just dirt and mud that pets track through the house—their accident stains are also hard to remove and eventually cause horrible odors.

Thankfully, we’re here to help all of the pet owners out there. Continue reading to learn how to keep a carpet clean with pets in South Amboy, NJ.

Invest in pet-friendly carpeting

Keeping your carpets clean starts on day one when you pick out a new carpet. Carpets designed specifically for households with pets—like Anderson Tuftex Faux Paw—are better at resisting stains and are more durable than other options on the market.

Groom your pets

You’ll also need to put some effort into keeping your pets well groomed. Brushing their fur prevents hair from getting ground into the fibers, and trimming their nails prevents excess wear and tear on the carpet. Also, be sure to give them frequent baths to prevent a smelly carpet.

Wipe off paws

A great way to keep a carpet clean with pets in South Amboy, NJ is to wipe their paws off anytime they come in from a walk or playing in the yard. By taking this small step, you’ll reduce the risk of tracking in mud that can permanently ruin a carpet.

Vacuum regularly

Even if you don’t own pets, we recommend vacuuming once a week to fluff up your carpet and lift any debris before it gets ground in—but pet owners need to be especially diligent about vacuuming. In addition to keeping your home clean, running your vacuum lifts pet hair and dander that may otherwise cause allergies.

Treat stains ASAP

Accidents happen. And when they do, be sure to clean them right away. The longer you leave pet stains on carpets in South Amboy, NJ, the greater the chance that they’ll never come out. Eventually, your house may start to smell like a litterbox!

Keep furniture clean

Keeping your furniture fur-free goes a long way in protecting your carpeting. When couches are clean, there’s a lesser chance that pet fur and dander will get ground into the carpeting. Dusting or vacuuming it once every week or so should do the trick.

Hire a professional cleaner

Finally, be sure to hire a professional carpet cleaner for a deep clean. A professional can lift all of the stains that you’re unable to, breathing new life into your flooring. We recommend hiring a professional once a year, but households with multiple pets might want to consider doing it two or three times each year.

Choose us for all of your carpeting needs

If you’re looking to install some pet-friendly carpeting or need help with those pet stains in carpets in South Amboy, NJ, hire our pros at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center. We provide everything from new installation to thorough cleaning, so we’re your one-stop shop for all of your carpeting needs.

Carpet care isn’t limited to cleaning up spills when they happen—it also encompasses all the preventative measures you can take to prevent stains from forming and to keep the carpet in good condition for as long as possible. After all, with the financial investment you’ve put into your carpet, it only makes sense for you to do whatever you can to maximize its lifespan.

With this in mind, here are a few steps you can take to prevent carpet stains from occurring in your South Amboy, NJ home.

Regularly clean and vacuum

You should vacuum your carpet on a regular basis—at least once a week, and probably more frequently if you have pets that shed or if you have children. It becomes easy for hair, dirt and debris to lodge itself deep into the carpet, especially if the carpet has long fibers. If those items aren’t removed quickly, they could permanently damage or stain the carpet.

Regular vacuuming also prevents a buildup of dirt that could cause permanent issues. Make sure you vacuum all areas of the carpet—even the parts covered up by furniture or rugs.

Take off shoes

Consider establishing a “no shoes allowed” rule in your household if you have carpeting. Have everyone take off their shoes before entering the house to prevent them from dragging in the dirt and debris that could damage your carpets. This will make it much easier for you to keep your carpets looking clean and fresh.

Use treatments and protectants

There are stain-resisting treatments and protectants available for certain types of carpets, which help you to seal off the fibers against certain types of stains. New carpets will often come pre-treated, but you can also purchase these treatments and apply them yourself, or have a carpet cleaning professional handle the process for you. Using these products will make stains easier to remove should they occur.

Be proactive when spills happen

As soon as spills occur, you should take the necessary steps to clean them up to prevent stains from forming. Accidents are guaranteed to happen, and the faster you take action, the less damage they’ll cause to your carpet. Never rub on the spill—instead, dab up the moisture to avoid damaging the carpet and helping the stain to set.

Put down rugs or mats

Protecting your carpeting can also be easier if you use protective rugs or plastic mats in high-traffic areas. At entryways, for example, using these items can be a good idea for when people take off their shoes. You can also place rugs down in areas where people eat if the room is carpeted.

These are just a few examples of some of the steps you can take to prevent stains in your home. Keep in mind that you can also work with a professional carpet cleaning service should the need arise.

For more information or to schedule carpet cleaning service in South Amboy, NJ, we encourage you to contact the team at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center today.