Some Carpet Sprays Do More Harm Than Good!

I can't tell you how many customers say, "I sprayed this stain with ____ [fill in almost any household carpet spray], and now my carpet looks lighter in that area.  Can you get that out?"

I have to resist the urge to yell, "That's the worst thing you can do!"  In many cases, we cannot "get that out," because it is not a stain - they've actually removed the color from the carpet fibers -permanently.

The fact is, not all carpet cleaning solutions are safe for your rugs and carpets.  Most of the products in stores do not have the Carpet and Rug Institute's (CRI) Seal of Approval.  These companies can sell you potentially harmful cleaners as long as they recommend that you "spot test" your carpet before use.  Unfortunately, most people don't bother with spot testing, and their carpets are ruined as a result. 

At Renewit, we don't represent or endorse any brand of cleaning solutions, so I won't give you a long list of all the sprays that can potentially ruin your carpet while claiming to clean it.  But I can give you a link to the CRI's Seal of Approval products:  http://www.carpet-rug.org/residential-customers/cleaning-and-maintenance/seal-of-approval-products/cleaning-solutions-list.cfm?product_type=0&manuf_id=0.  Many of these products can be found in local stores: Arm & Hammer, Febreze and SimpleGreen, to name a few (and if anyone from these companies wants to send a commission check our way, feel free!). 

If you absolutely must use a carpet spray, use a CRI Seal of Approval product.  Although these products have the Seal of Approval, the CRI still recommends spot testing (sorry - the CRI has to cover their butts, too).  Just know that you are better off with an approved cleaner than without.  Apply a small amount of the cleaner to the cloth, not the carpet.  Work in gently from the edge to the center.  Blot and repeat until the spot is removed, using as little product as possible. 

If the stain just won't come out, contact your local carpet cleaning company.  With their tools and products, they have the best shot of saving your carpet from a date with the garbage bin.  If you are in the Greater Rochester, NY area, call Renewit at 585-473-7821.