| The problem of Kool -Aid stains or other colored stains | | | | area clean. |
| in your carpet is a very unsightly problem. Not only do | | | | You are done! It is easier than it sounds, and the |
| these stains attract the eye immediately when you | | | | biggest hurdle most people have is the use of the |
| walk into the room, they are also sometimes very hard | | | | steam iron. The only way you are going to do any |
| to get out with normal stain removal methods. | | | | damage to the carpet is if you place the iron directly |
| There is a lot written about how you can get these | | | | on the carpet for an extended time. You see, carpet |
| kinds of stains out. For over 15 years, we have been | | | | can withstand a tremendous amount of heat and is |
| dealing with this problem in countless homes. In that | | | | actually baked in an oven of over 400 degrees at the |
| time, we have tried many methods, some work and | | | | carpet factory. So, the heat from the iron placed on a |
| some do not. I wanted to cover in this article how to | | | | wet folded terry cloth will not hurt it if you are careful |
| get these stains out without ruining your carpet, since | | | | and watch what you are doing. |
| some "home remedies" can do just that. | | | | It is good to be aware of other remedies that are |
| So, to begin, I'd like to explain just why these stains are | | | | suggested, or "Home Remedies" and the result of |
| difficult to remove and why most stain removal | | | | these methods, some of which are not readily |
| methods fail. | | | | apparent. |
| Red Kool-Aid and other colored beverages have one | | | | Common home remedies: Dish washing liquid and other |
| thing that causes staining in carpet. That ingredient is | | | | cleaning products not designed for carpet |
| dye. This comes in natural and manufactured varieties. | | | | Every time I hear about these methods I cringe |
| The dye bonds readily to carpet and makes most | | | | because time after time I have been out to homes |
| stain removal methods difficult. | | | | that have used this method for stain removal with |
| In order to remove these stains, you need (2) things. | | | | very bad results. I think many people try this because |
| | | | they think they can save a few dollars. |
| 1. Heat | | | | The method is similar to our recommendation except |
| 2. Chemical Action | | | | the "Chemical Action" is substituted with dish washing |
| Heat breaks the dye bond to the carpet and | | | | liquid. The problem here is dish washing liquid is |
| chemicals suspend the dye so that it can be removed | | | | designed for dishes, not carpet fiber, and is a |
| from the carpet. | | | | de-greaser. This means dish washing liquid attacks |
| This is where many people have tried their own "home | | | | grease. The chemical action can work in some cases, |
| remedies" to get the stains out. We have tried all of | | | | but the heated dish soap absorbs readily to your |
| them and we have found a method that works just | | | | carpet fiber. The stain can sometimes get removed, |
| about 90% of the time, without harm to your carpet. | | | | but this is because of the "Heat" part of the process. |
| This method works for new and old stains in most | | | | So what happens is you get a stain that disappears |
| carpet manufactured in the last 75 years. Here is how | | | | for a while, but that attracts dirt like crazy. Within 1-3 |
| it works: | | | | months you get a gray colored stain that is just about |
| | | | as bad as a red or colored stain. |
| 1. Before you start, if the stain is fresh, try to blot up | | | | So to remove the gray you have to get a carpet |
| any of the stain if you can. You can do this by simply | | | | cleaning extractor and a rinsing agent that professional |
| wetting a terry cloth towel with hot water and blotting | | | | carpet cleaners use and rinse the spot of the dish |
| the stain, followed by a dry terry cloth towel to blot up | | | | soap. This might cost you $50.00 for the rental of the |
| the excess water. Sometimes you can partially | | | | carpet cleaner and about $18-$25 for the rinsing agent |
| remove the stain by doing this step first, plus it makes | | | | which can be found at most janitorial supply shops. Or, |
| the remaining steps easier. | | | | like most people, they call a professional like us to do |
| 2. Next, there are a few products on the market today | | | | the job for about $75-100. |
| that are designed to take out red dye and other | | | | So much for saving money. |
| colored stains, this is the "Chemical Action" part of the | | | | Other cleaning chemicals such as window cleaner, |
| process. In this step, you simply apply the chemical | | | | vinegar, peroxide and oxygen based cleaners have |
| liberally to the stained area. | | | | been circulated as well, all have a number of bad end |
| 3. You will want to get another white terry cloth towel | | | | results which can ruin your carpet. |
| and wet it liberally with hot water. Do not wring out the | | | | For example, window cleaner also has some dye in |
| towel. Fold the towel in half and place it over all or part | | | | the formula, and this can actually stain the carpet if you |
| of the stain. | | | | use it making a light blue stain. Vinegar is a mild acid |
| 4. This next step scares some people but do not fear. | | | | and might clean the area but will not break color dye |
| You will want to get a regular steam iron and set the | | | | bonds to the carpet and when heated becomes very |
| iron to medium-high setting. Place the iron on the wet | | | | smelly. Peroxide also can clean and sanitize the area, |
| terry cloth towel and press the iron down firmly. This is | | | | but is not effective in breaking color dye bonds in |
| the "Heat" part of the process. | | | | carpet and when heated can cause mild bleaching of |
| 5. Monitor the progress. As the heat reacts with the | | | | your carpet over time. Oxygen based cleaning |
| chemicals, the steam pulls the dye into the wet terry | | | | products can lift stains if they are fresh, but do not |
| cloth towel. You will see the color appear in the towel. | | | | work with the heat method at all. |
| As this happens, use another white terry cloth towel or | | | | To sum up, hopefully this article has given you the |
| rinse out the one you are using and replace it on the | | | | information you need to get rid of red Kool-Aid and |
| stain. Repeat this process until the stain is removed. It | | | | other colored stains without harm to your carpet. As |
| may take a few chemical applications to do the job. | | | | professionals in the carpet cleaning business, we use |
| 6. After you finish, get a spray bottle of water only | | | | this method all of the time with excellent results and |
| and spray the area. Use yet another white terry cloth | | | | you can too. |
| towel to blot up the excess water. This will rinse the | | | | |