Spills from mixed drinks may be anything, a shot, a drink, a juice, or a can of beer. It is a must to remove the alcohol stains to save your carpet. The beer stains contain water and tannin; which means the process of removal is simple. The liquor-based drinks contain ingredients or juices with dyes making stains challenging to eliminate. Red wine stain is more challenging than white wine. However, how to clean up alcohol spilled on the carpet is a must-learn process.
Use items from your pantry such as bleach powder, dishwashing liquid, and distilled white vinegar, to create cleaning solutions. It is a guide to remove alcohol and liquor stains from the upholstered furniture or carpet. Professional help may be essential if the stain is stubborn.
How to clean up alcohol spilled on the carpet
Supplies you need
- 1 roll of paper towel, 2 white cloths, 1 vacuum, 1 soft-bristled brush, 2 small bowls, 1 container of oxygen-based bleach powder, 1 bottle of distilled white vinegar, and 1 bottle of dishwashing liquid.
Instructions
Begin by blotting the liquid (spilled alcohol) using white paper towels. Watch the liquid transferring to fresh towels by pressing into the stain the towels. Blot the paper with more fresh towels until no moisture is left to transfer.
- Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing dishwashing liquid one tablespoon of or using dishwashing detergent with one-half cup of distilled white vinegar. Take warm water two cups in a small bowl. Mix them.
- To treat the stain, dip into the solution a clean white cloth and wring the cloth well. Work from outside edges reaching the center. It prevents the stain from spreading. With the stain color getting to the cloth, you may continue blotting.
Note:
- Prevent color transfer by using a white cloth always. It is because all the towels are not colorfast.
- Wring the cloth used for cleaning to prevent the solution from entering the carpet padding. Much moisture causes more drying times and is the threat of mildew growth.
Rinse the cleaned area.
Fill a small bucket or bowl with water. Wet a white clean cloth and wring the cloth so that it is not dripping wet. Wipe the carpet gently and rinse the area to remove the soapy residue to avoid attracting soil.
Air-dry to speed drying by circulating fan. Vacuum after stain removal and if required give additional treatment such as:
- Use a soft-bristled brush and work gently the oxygen bleach solution into the carpet fibers, but do not over wet.
- Mix oxygen-based bleach powder with warm water and make a solution as per the directions on the product label.
- Allow the solution to sit on the carpet spill stain for an hour and blot the moisture using a dry cloth.
- Let the fabric air-dry and repeat the same treatment using oxygen bleach and a clean water solution. Repeat the same until the stains are not visible.
Note:
- Always blot the liquid from the carpet and do not rub.
- Work from outside to prevent spreading.
Treat using Vinegar Solution.
How to clean up alcohol spilled on the carpet is a crucial question. Knowing different ways of treating your carpet is beneficial. One such way is to treat using a vinegar solution.
Mix distilled white vinegar in one-half cup with one cup of water and store in a spray bottle. Use the solution and saturate the stained area. Allow it to set on it for 10 minutes at least.
Blot the vinegar solution using paper towels and take fresh towels to soak the moisture. Use a soapy solution by mixing dishwashing liquid for a few drops with warm water. Use a soft-bristled brush to dip in the soapy solution and scrub on the stained area. Begin from the outside edges to avert spreading and allow at least 10 minutes for the soap to work.
Allow the soapy solution to work and use a clean cloth dipped in warm water to eliminate the soapy residue. Blot the solution from the carpet using paper towels and let it air dry. You can vacuum it so that the fibers do not get affected.
Vacuuming the carpet after removal of alcohol spilled stain
Vacuuming is an important part of checking residual stains. If there are stain traces, mix oxygen-based bleach with warm water and apply to the carpet to dry. Once it dries, vacuum the carpet to ensure no remains of alcohol spills. Vacuuming is crucial to ascertain there is no solution left behind as it will make the carpet fibers brittle.
Additional tips to clean up alcohol from the carpet
- Use a commercial carpet cleaner to remove alcohol spilled on the carpet.
- For multiple stains, clean the carpet fully so that the color appears even.
- Treat any stain at the earliest and never rub any stain as it gets deeper into the carpet.
- Always blot using a clean cloth.
- While cleaning the carpet spill work from the outside edges to the center.
The possibilities are many, so look for new cleaning solutions. Consider the ones that you did not use before. However, try it on the carpet in an inconspicuous area for a colorfastness test. Perform the test in a carpet corner so that it is not visible.
If you have taken trials using home remedies to clean up alcohol spill stains and find no satisfying results. You may call the professionals. They are highly trained and know ways to get stains out of the toughest parties. Remember they are expensive, but do a perfect job in a short time.
Conclusion
Hosting parties or evening bash is one of the reasons to experience alcohol spills on the carpet. Treating the stain shows no need to stress. Using a cleaning solution you can learn how to clean up alcohol spilled on the carpet. Party punch or red wine party; treat the stain without causing much stress. Use the appropriate cleaning solution to get the spills out of the carpet. Enjoy your carpet in its original state.