Get matched with top oriental rug cleaners in Westfield, PA

It depends. If a stain has been sitting on your carpet for a few weeks, months, or years, it’s going to be much harder to remove since it has had time to dry. Certain carpet cleaners can also dye or permanently change the color of your carpet in attempts to remove the old stain. If you have a stain on your carpet that’s a few weeks old and you’re unsure of the original cause, your best bet is to call a carpet cleaning professional who will have the right tools and knowledge to avoid making the problem worse.

The formula for neutralizing skunk smell is one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and one to two teaspoons of dish soap. The University of Nebraska says a chemist discovered that this mixture changes the thiols, the chemical compound that causes the odor, into acids that don’t carry a skunk smell, thus eliminating the odor.

Baking soda is an easy and effective way to deodorize an area rug. For minor odors, sprinkle some baking soda over the rug, brush it in gently with your hand or a microfiber cloth, and let it sit for an hour before vacuuming it out. For persistent odors, mix 1 cup of baking soda with 4 cups of water and spray it evenly over your rug. Let the mixture dry, and then vacuum the rug thoroughly. You can also use a commercial rug deodorizer, but make sure you match the product to your rug material to avoid damage.

If you’re wondering how often to clean your carpet, most homes should aim for once a year, though households with low foot or pet traffic may be able to stretch this to every 6 months. In any case, the optimal time to schedule is after the rainy or snowy season when moisture and mud are less likely to be tracked indoors. Staying on top of this routine will remove dirt and buildup before they can become deep-set stains and odors.