No party or family gathering is complete without a coke to drink. That means someone or the other or you yourself are bound to spill a glass in their haste to polish it off. In the case of little children in the house, the frequency of spillage is pretty much high.

But instead of worrying about spilt milk (or coke rather!) let’s see what can be done with these unwanted marks by using our daily household products, in case you decide against using our carpet cleaning service in Milton Keynes.

What will I need?

• Wet/dry vacuum cleaner. If you don’t have a wet vacuum cleaner, then a white or light coloured cloth or paper towel would also do.
• Warm water
• Club soda: This item is a must-keep. It is carbonated water and works wonders on other water-soluble stains too. The best thing is it does not damage the backing of your carpet (unless you soak your carpet in it). Moreover, it does not leave any residue so doesn’t need to be rinsed out.
• Liquid dish detergent.
• Hydrogen Peroxide & Ammonia: Strictly for light-coloured carpets as both have a bleaching effect.
• Vinegar: It is a moderate acid and very commonly used as a cooking ingredient, hence easily available at a local grocery store.

How should I use the above-mentioned items?

Once you’ve gathered the above-listed things you are ready for the attack! Remember the faster you tackle the stain, the easier it will be removed.

• Step 1: Absorb as much coke as possible from the carpet with a paper or cloth towel. You may also use a big spoon to scoop up the excess. Be careful and collect from the edge and work to the centre, to avoid it from further spreading.
• Step 2: Drizzle a small amount of club soda directly onto the stain then gently blot up or vacuum (with a wet one) the excess. Most of the stains are removed by this step; if not then follow the next steps.

• Step 3: Mix 1 teaspoon of no-colour liquid dish detergent in 2 cups of warm water. Apply the mixture to the stained area (without soaking the carpet) and let it rest for 5 minutes to break down the mark. Then gently blot or stroke the carpet pile and finally rinse it with warm water.  In the end, vacuum it or absorb the excess water with a towel.

The Stain Acts Stubborn?

If by Step 3 the stain doesn’t go then do the following:

• Step 4:  Prepare a mixture of 3 tablespoons of warm water and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Apply this mix and let it stand for 30 minutes. Don’t forget to cover the stain with a thick towel to block light, after application of hydrogen peroxide mix (as light transforms the chemical properties of hydrogen peroxide).

Rinse the carpet with warm water and vacuum (wet) or blot the excess water.

In case the stain still refuses to leave you alone then go for the next step.

• Step 5: Mix ¼ cup of ammonia with 1 cup of warm water. Apply the ammonia mix to the stained area (without soaking the carpet). After a while, gently blot or stroke the carpet pile.

Prepare the same proportion of vinegar and warm water mixture. Apply it on the mark (again don’t soak your carpet). Finally, rinse the carpet with warm water and blot up whatever remains.

When the carpet has dried up, vacuum it to reset the carpet pile.

*In both steps 5 & 6, periodically check for colour loss.

Dark coloured carpets:

For such carpets, all of the above-mentioned hacks are effective, except for the usage of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia as they have bleaching properties. Hence you should prefer using mixtures with a lighter base to preserve your carpet colour.

Removing Old Carpet Stains:

It’s very normal to notice the coke stain the next day or sometime later when it has completely dried up. In such cases, you should first soak the stain in lukewarm water and then proceed with the home remedies.

Stains generally come out slowly, have patience and try the lightest method multiple times. If you notice the stain fading (not the carpet colour) continue with the same step.

Be gentle with your carpet and if required seek professional help.