Permanent Marker- Well, it always seems a little hopeless when you get something on the carpet that has a name distinguished by the word PERMANENT. There is no getting around it; permanent marker is extremely difficult to remove. However, if prompt action is taken, there is a likely chance that the stain can be removed. So, the next time you walk around the corner and your five year old is drawing Barney on the carpet with a purple Sharpie, take heart, there is hope!
- Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol or a non-oily hairspray onto a clean white cloth and dab at the stain. You should see transfer of the stain to the cloth. Use another dry cloth to blot up the solution between applications.
- Continue to apply the solution and blot it up several times. Then rinse the spot with clean water and dry the area thoroughly.
- If you couldn’t get it all out, and if the stain isn’t too deep, it’s time to cut out some carpet – just a little. Try snipping away the stained edges with small scissors, a razor blade, or exacto knife. You can also use tweezers to carefully pull out severely stained fibers. If you had to remove a noticeable amount of carpet, remove clean carpet strands from another hidden area in the room and glue them into the stained area. Once they are glued, leave a heavy object on the spot for several days before walking on it. That’s how you remove permanent marker in all but the worst cases.
Beer Stains, Wine Stains, Cola Stains, Coffee Stains- This next section is dedicated to the social events that have gotten a little too “high-spirited”, parents who go to Giant Eagle and bring home a pop case that fell off the cart in the parking lot, and the 54% of Americans who need their java first thing in the AM. All of these common occurrences have potential to result in a ginormous, regretful spill. The greatest potential of beer, wine, cola, or coffee removal comes with prompt action and knowledge of the best removal methods. Hopefully these recommendations will help!
- Blot the stain with a paper towel, removing as much as you can.
- Next, neutralize the spot with a white vinegar solution made up of 1/4 cup white vinegar in 3/4 cup of water (a spray bottle works well to apply the solution).
- If the stain has still not lifted, mix 1 teaspoon of dish detergent* into 1 quart of water and apply to the spot. Continue blotting to work the detergent into the stain and to lift the stain.
- Rinse spot with water and blot excess water up.
*Do not use dish soap/detergent that contains bleach or lanolin; it will damage your carpet.
Cosmetics and Makeup Stains- I don’t know about you, but every once in a while, my mascara gets a mind of its own and emits little black smudges when I’m least expecting it. One time in particular, it decided to drop a little black smudge ball onto my carpet as I was frantically getting ready in the morning…ugh, great timing, right? But thankfully, I was able to move quickly and concoct the perfect removal solution in less than five minutes. Here’s what I did.
- Begin by gently blotting with a paper towel, then use a dull knife to scrape up what you can
- Next, apply rubbing alcohol to a white cloth or cotton ball and blot. You may have to apply extra if the makeup goes deep.
- Mix up a solution of 1 quart water and ½ teaspoon dish soap*. Then apply a small quantity of detergent* solution to the spot. Blot to work the detergent into the affected area. Continue applying and blotting until the stain is fully removed.
This blog post is by no means extensive. If you ever have questions about the stain removal of additional substances, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us. It is our pleasure to assist you in every way possible!
Phone: (724) 449.1100
Email: info@nestexpressions.com
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