How To Get Mud Out Of Your Carpet
The definition of mud is what dirt turns into after heavy rain. If you’ve got mud stains on your carpet that has been happily bought in by your pets or your children, and you need to properly remove them, this is the article for you!
Want to know how to get the mud out of your carpet? Read on…
How to clean mud off your carpet
Resist the temptation to tackle the marks straight away as this can result in the stain getting deeper into your carpet fibres. Put on some vinyl gloves and pick up any large mud clumps and then excess dried mud can be scraped off with a spoon. Follow by a gentle vacuuming.
There are several DIY cleaning options you can choose and these include:
Washing up detergent
Make a solution of washing up liquid and warm water and put it to one side. Then mix some baking soda with a little salt and sprinkle the powder over the mud stain. Leave this to sit for a couple of hours to draw out and absorb any unpleasant odours.
Using a sponge or clean cloth, apply the washing up liquid mix to the stain and then blot up excess solution with clean paper towels. Repeat these steps until the mud stain has disappeared. Follow up by sponging with cold water and extra blotting with paper towels before leaving the area to air dry.
Vinegar
This method normally only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. Into a bowl pour half a cup of vinegar and add a little washing up liquid and mix. Using a soft brush gently rub the solution onto the stain. Then rinse with cold water and dab with a clean cloth. Repeat as necessary until the stain has been removed, and then dry with a clean towel.
Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
You’ll need to do a spot test on your carpet in a hidden area to make sure there’s not a reaction with colour fading or bleeding before you use this product. If all is well you can blot the stain directly with the alcohol before rinsing with water and patting with clean paper towels to mop up any excess liquid.
Bear in mind that this inexpensive solvent can irritate if inhaled and you need to be careful to keep it away from your eyes as it can cause a burning sensation. It’s a good idea to wear protective gloves and glasses if you choose this carpet cleaning method.
For red clay mud
Red clay mud is composed of iron and iron oxides that give the mud its red colour. As you can imagine this stain is a little more complex to remove! Let the mud dry and then get rid of as much as you can with a spoon before vacuuming.
Use a commercial stain remover to pretreat the stain, brushing it into the carpet fibres before leaving it to work as instructed. You can then use a homemade solution by making a paste from powdered bleach-free laundry detergent and ammonia to break down the red clay. After application, leave it to sit for around 15 minutes, then rinse with a damp clean white cloth. Blot off the excess liquid to avoid spreading the stain further.
You could pour neat washing up liquid over the stain and leave overnight, or mix 2-3 tablespoons of salt with a cup of white vinegar and leave it to sit for an hour. Whichever method you choose requires a final rinse and blotting to remove any excess liquid.
Stain removal alternatives
Over-the-counter stain remover
If homemade remedies have failed to remove the stains you can purchase a commercial stain remover product. Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions which typically involves spraying onto the stain and letting it sit for a specified amount of time in order for it to work. Then you can use a sponge, brush, or towel to remove any excess product and repeat as necessary until the stain has gone.
Schedule a professional carpet cleaning
A carpet cleaning specialist will come to your property with all the equipment and cleaning solutions needed to get the job done. It won’t matter what carpet type you have – there’ll be a cleaning method that will remove the mud stains and leave your floor coverings refreshed and stain-free.