A little spilt milk on the carpet may appear easy to handle at first glance, but this could be further from the truth. Milk leaves stubborn stains and a sour smell you’ll want to avoid at any cost. Still, with the right approach, you can salvage your carpet. Our carpet cleaning experts are sharing a few tried-and-tested cleaning methods for getting milk out of your carpet using products and ingredients you might already have at home.
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A wet/dry vacuum is a great tool to remove the excess milk from your carpet.
Get Rid of the Excess Milk
Milk contains proteins and fats, which are a good energy source for the body but bad news for your rug. As proteins and fats dry, they harden and create a strong bond with textiles, making cleaning the stain difficult. Moreover, milk contains bacteria that convert the natural sugars into acetic and lactic acid over time. If you fail to address the spill promptly, the stained area will turn yellow and emit a stinky sour odour. So, regardless of which cleaning method you choose, the first step is to remove as much milk from the carpet as possible.
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Removing Freshly Spilled Milk
Grab a bundle of paper towels or a clean, absorbent towel and gently blot the affected area. Depending on the volume of the spill, the thickness of your carpet’s pile, and the duration of time that has passed, the milk may have penetrated deeply into the fibres. If you suspect this is the case, apply pressure to the area to absorb the liquid from the padding underneath. Continue blotting until the cloth is dry, ensuring maximum absorption of the milk.
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Dealing with Dried Milk Stain
If you’ve discovered the spill after the milk has dried, use a spoon to carefully scrape away the dried milk and then vacuum any remaining residue. Lightly spray the spot with clean, lukewarm water. Rinse the area by blotting it with a clean, damp cloth, then pat it with another clean, dry cloth to completely remove any remaining residue.
Once you’ve dealt with the excess milk, you can remove the stain from your carpet using one of the methods outlined below. Whatever product you choose, always start cleaning the outside of a spill and work toward the centre to prevent the stain from spreading.
Also, remember that some carpets might require a visit from your local cleaner. We highly recommend professional stain removal and carpet cleaning for all oriental rugs, carpets made entirely of natural fibres like cotton or wool, as well as carpets made from viscose (bamboo silk).
Check also: How to Clean Tea and Coffee Stains from Carpets
A few drops of powerful dishwashing liquid can do wonders removing fresh milk stains.
Cleaning Method 1: Dish Soap and Water
Pour one cup of cold water into a bowl and add a few drops of gentle dishwashing liquid. Stir well to combine the ingredients. Dip a clean sponge or cloth into the bowl, wringing out most of the liquid so the sponge is slightly damp but not saturated. Begin by lightly blotting the milk stain, working from the outer edge towards the centre of the affected area. Rinse the sponge or cloth frequently, dipping it back into the solution and continuing to blot. You’ll know you’re ready to move on when the rinsing water runs clear. Finish by giving the area one final rinse and then dry it using a clean cloth.
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You can use a brush to distribute your solution easier onto shaggy carpets.
Cleaning Method 2: Ammonia Solution
If the milk stain remains visible after using the previous method, dilute a tablespoon of ammonia in two cups of lukewarm water and work on the area again. Apply the solution onto the carpet using a sponge and continue to blot until the stain is no longer visible. Rinse the area with a clean sponge and cold water. Finally, blot the carpet dry with a clean cloth to complete the milk stain removal process.
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Enzyme cleaners are your best friend if your toddler is still learning how to use a spoon.
Cleaning Method 3: Using Enzyme Cleaner
If you have small children, you’ve already realised you’ll have to deal with stains quite often in the foreseeable future. That is why we recommend arming yourself with a good enzyme cleaner and having it at hand when (the inevitable) milk spill occurs. Here’s how to proceed.
- Remove the excess milk.
- Spray your carpet with some water and apply the enzyme cleaner according to the instructions on the product label.
- After you are done, extract the product by blotting it with a dampened white cloth.
- Lift the cleaner completely, rinsing the towel with clean water until it stops releasing soapy residues.
- Blot the carpet with a clean towel to dry it.
NB! This method is not suitable for cleaning wool carpets as they can be damaged by enzyme cleaners.
Raad also: How to Care for Wool Carpets and Rugs
Leave the baking soda for at least 4 hours before vacuuming it from your carpet, so it has enough time to absorb the smell.
Eliminate the Lingering Milk Odour from Your Carpet
Spoiled milk has an unpleasant smell that can persist even after the visible stain has been removed. If you still detect the odour, baking soda is a handy tool for absorbing unwanted odours, and it’s something most of us typically have at home. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the affected area, whether wet or dry and leave it overnight. The following day, thoroughly vacuum the area to remove the baking soda, and voilà! The odour will be gone.
Check also: How to Maintain your Mattress Odour-Free
The Happy House Cleaning provides a wide range of professional cleaning services in London. If you need help removing stains from your carpet, deep-cleaning your sofa or mattress, or getting your windows pristine, don’t hesitate to contact us and request a free quote.
