How to Get Mud Out of Your Carpet

Rain, rain, go away, muddy feet have come to play! Whether you have children or pets, the recent rain we’ve been having has meant more mud than ever is being tracked into the home.

Muddy footprints – or paw prints – can really destroy the look of your carpets, which is why getting mud out of the carpet is our Top Cleaning Tip #4 for this month!

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how you can encourage the kids (or the pooch) to get outside and jump in muddy puddles without sacrificing your carpet for their fun.
‍

‍

Bide Your Time

Everywhere you look, from Mrs. Hinch, to carpet cleaning websites, you’re told to start cleaning a stain before it starts sinking into the fibres. We’re saying the best thing to do is wait. Make a coffee. Bide your time and let that muddy stain dry out. You want the mud to harden, then when it does you can use a dry scrubber to loosen the dirt and then go over it with the vacuum cleaner. Go slowly, though, you don’t want to make it worse than it is. Any stubborn mud pieces need some teasing to remove and you can do this with a metal spoon.

Any discolouration left behind can be cleaned away with warm water and a little of your favourite laundry detergent or some dishwashing liquid. Dab the area with a sponge until the stain has faded and let it dry out naturally.
‍

‍

It’s Different for Paws – Kind Of!

When your dog or cat has had some fun in the garden, you’re bound to end up with pawprints in the house. When this happens, you clean them off in the same way you would with muddy footprints, by waiting for the stain to dry and then cleaning the carpet afterwards. The difference is that pets sweat through their paw pads. Those little toe beans get stinky from time to time, and this produces a smell that can linger in your carpet. So, you need to get rid of the stain as well as the smell.

• Mix a solution of mild dish washing liquid and water and set it aside
• Wait for the mud to dry and clean away the dried dirt as per the instructions above
• Once the area is clean, apply the soapy solution onto the carpet, dab the area gently then blot away the excess water (don’t rub!) then let it dry naturally.
• For added protection against the paw smell, sprinkle a little baking soda over the area before bed and vacuum up in the morning. Baking soda is absorbent and works well to draw out smells.

Don’t be afraid to jump up and down in the muddy puddles; the carpet can always be cleaned!

While our tips above will get out the worst of the mud, you are always best advised to get in a professional when the stains are very large, and it is always good practice to get your carpets cleaned on a regular basis to ensure any hidden stains don’t make their way to surface and become a permanent feature!  

We offer very competitive rates on cleaning; we tailor your cleaning to the requirements of your carpet, and we can protect your carpet with an Advanced Carpet Protector to protect against future stains. Contact us on 07812 730346!