Has your once-vibrant carpet turned yellowish and are you desperately looking for a solution to treat it? If it happens to be so, you’ve arrived at the right place. Oftentimes, certain areas of the carpet turn yellowish due to a number of reasons, giving an unsightly appearance to the whole carpet.
Fortunately, the good thing is that these stains don’t happen to be permanent and there’s not one but numerous ways to treat them effectively. So delve into this blog and learn various methods to tackle those pesky yellow stains, restoring your carpet’s freshness.
Reasons Why Carpets Turn Yellowish Occasionally
Before directly jumping onto the solution, first of all, let’s explore some of the most common causes behind the carpet turning yellowish.
♦ Prolonged Exposure To The Sun: Carpets, if exposed to the sun for an extended period, can cause them to fade unevenly. This often leaves behind a yellow tint, especially noticeable in carpets with more yellow dye.
♦ Accidental Spillage: Everyday spillage from food, drink, or other substances (pet urine included) can react with the carpet fibers and may leave a yellow stain behind.
♦ Applying The Wrong Cleaning Products: Using harsh chemicals or cleaners with a high pH level can damage carpet fibers and cause discoloration, including yellowing.
♦ Airborne Pollutants: Cigarette smoke, cooking fumes, and other airborne pollutants can also settle on your carpet, gradually yellowing it.
Easy Steps To Banish Yellow Stains From Your Carpet
Now, let’s explore some easy steps to clean your carpet without shampooing or indulging in some deep cleaning process and tackle those yellow stains effectively.
⇒ Blot The Stain Quickly
If the yellowish stain is relatively fresh (from accidental spillage or pet urine), blot it immediately with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb as much liquid as possible. And while doing so, ensure you do not rub it, as this can push the stain further deep into the fibers.
⇒ Begin With White Vinegar
Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle, shake the mixture well, and sprinkle it onto the stained (yellowish) parts of the carpet. Once sprinkled, allow it to sit for some 10 minutes for the vinegar to break down the stain-causing molecules.
After 10 minutes, blot the area with a clean cloth and use a stiff brush to scrub and lift the stain, making sure you do not damage the fibers.
Scrubbing undoubtedly helps lift the stain, but if done too vigorously, can damage the carpet so being too vigorous when scrubbing the carpet to remove common carpet stains.
⇒ Try Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide
In addition to white vinegar, you can also try removing yellow stains from your carpet using a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. First, sprinkle baking soda over the stain to absorb any remaining moisture and neutralize lingering odors.
Then, in a spray bottle, mix a tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of hydrogen peroxide. Carefully pour this mixture over the baking soda-covered stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
Pro Tip: Hydrogen peroxide is also effective for combating red wine stains on your carpet. Keep this in mind for any future wine-related spills on your carpet.
⇒ Blot The Area And Rinse
As the wait is over, blot the area with a clean cloth to absorb the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mixture. Next, spray the cleaned area with warm water to rinse out any remaining cleaning solution and blot again to absorb excess moisture.
⇒ Dry The Carpet Thoroughly
Lastly, let the carpet dry completely before you make it into use. Although it may take several hours, you can speed it up by using appliances such as dehumidifiers or overhead fans.
Wrapping Thoughts
Over time, carpets can develop yellowish stains, which can make them appear dull and uncared for. Unlike other stains, these yellowish marks can be tough to remove. Nevertheless, with the right ingredients, tools, and methods, you can effectively get rid of them and restore the beauty of your carpet.