The Best Method For Removing Milk Stains From Carpet

Accidental milk spills on your beloved carpet might seem innocuous initially but can soon leave a yellow stain behind. The sooner you get to cleaning your carpet, the better. Quickly picking up as much of the liquid as you can will prevent the spilled milk from getting absorbed into your carpet. Once it sets in, the spilled milk will soon curdle and turn sour. This won't just give off a foul smell but could also stain your carpet and damage its fibers. Fortunately, you can employ liquid dish soap or vinegar and baking soda to eliminate the stain and get rid of the stench.

Begin by judging the state of the milk stain on your carpet. If the stain is wet, use a clean cloth to soak up as much of the liquid as possible. Blot the stain gently to avoid pressing the drink deeper into the carpet. If you're dealing with dried stains, use a butter knife or a spoon to scrape away any dried milk clumps before cleaning them up with a cloth or vacuum cleaner.

After you've blotted up as much wet milk as possible from your carpet, it's time to clean it. Combine 2 cups of warm water with 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap and stir it with a spoon to create your own DIY cleaning solution. In case you'd like to substitute dish soap with vinegar, combine cold water with distilled white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio.

Now, soak a clean cloth in your prepared cleaning mix and wring it out before pressing it onto the stain. Gently dab the sides of the stain before making your way to the middle. Keep rinsing the cloth, dipping it into the cleaning solution, and dabbing the stain until it's no longer visible. Once you're satisfied, dab the area with a damp cloth one last time to remove any lingering cleaning mix before drying it with a clean towel or cloth.

If the stain is dry, scrape away the dried milk and then blot the stain with a damp cloth soaked in cold water to prevent the milk from settling in. Once done, mix cold water and laundry detergent to create a paste. Work the paste into the stain with the pad of your fingers or a toothbrush before rinsing it off with a damp cloth to remove the dried pieces from your carpet.

Successfully removing milk stains from your carpet is only half the battle won, as you need to get rid of the foul odor, too. While the vinegar solution can help you in that area, it might not be able to banish the odor completely. To eliminate unpleasant smells from your carpet, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the stain. If you don't have baking soda on hand, you can substitute it with cornstarch or coffee grounds.

Let the baking soda or cornstarch sit overnight to work its magic. Come morning, use a spoon or your hand to gather as much of the powder as you can before vacuuming your carpet to remove every last piece. On the other hand, if you use coffee grounds, vacuum your carpet after a few hours to keep your home from smelling like a coffee house. No matter the product you use, vacuuming your carpet afterward is necessary to ensure there are no milk clots or product left behind for bacteria to attack.