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I use the vinegar and water but I use a damp cloth and iron. Just spray the stain with the vinegar and water mix then place a damp towel or cloth over the stain and iron over it. You can see the stain transfer from the carpet to the cloth in front of your eyes. The baking soda (once dried) will get out any smell that may be present and doesn't make the carpet hard.
If your stain is not too large, a carpet installer should be able to use a "cookie cutter" tool to fix it. When I was a property manager, one property owner used this technique to salvage nice carpet marred by a single stain.
First, the installer will use the tool to cut out a circle containing the stain, then cookie cutter out an identical size circle from a carpet scrap, the back of a closet, or another unseen area. Next, the installer will swap the unstained circle for stained circle, carefully matching the direction of the carpet's nap. He will cut a piece of seam tape, a few inches bigger than the hole. He will insert the seam tape between the carpet and the pad, and glue the patch to to the tape. He will use additional tools to prevent cutting the top fibers and to fluff the carpet to blend the edge.
I found a YouTube video demonstrating the process. There is also a larger cookie cutter tool, similar to a compass that can be used for larger stains. Keep in mind if the carpet is worn or needing shampooing, the patch might blend completely.
I hope this helps!
Luckily I own a consumer-level carpet cleaning machine. I ran that over the area and it came out fine, no more roughness.
I board dogs through Rover.com. Many people lie about their dogs being house-broken, no matter how many times we let them out they still leave spots in the house.
We finally have a few days with no dogs so my sons and I are about to try this method on a very large area. I cannot wait to see the results.
I think I'll post before/after pics and then also pics from a week or so after. We've already tried a number of methods and the stains always come back. The after pics in the original post are from right after they finished the procedure so of course it looks good. The true test is if the stains STAY gone.
I have a child who has enuresis so I've always been up on the urine stains. First, the biggest problem with urine stains is removing it all. On a mattress for example, you can't just clean the surface. Take it outside, get the water hose and saturate the entire mattress. This must be done at least twice. Before cleaning and after to thoroughly rinse any soap or cleaner residues. Of course, you can't just take carpet outside. You have to saturate the area on the carpet. Pour a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water on stain. Rub it in so it get the padding too. Blot up until barely damp. Or use a shop vac. Mix 1/2 tsp dishsoap into 1 cup peroxide. Liberally spread baking soda onto stained area. Use a brush to integrate it with the fibers. Pour peroxide mixture on soda. Rub in so it reaches the padding. Blot excess then let dry. Vacuum. Pour another vinegar mixture. Rub in. Blot. Pour Straight water. Blot. More water. Blot. More water. Blot. Move down into a house with cream carpet in the closets that was filled with old pee stains from dogs. It took a good two weeks but the above method entirely removed the smell and stains. They never returned. Always use cold water too. If the yellow discoloration remains just keep repeating until gone. Labor intensive but really the only way to completely get rid of pee stains from carpet. I've been cleaning pee stains for 15 yrs between dogs and kids. I've tried everything on the market. Nothing works better.
Hi. I had a turmeric stain on my carpet that i got a stain remover company to come and help me with, they used something on it and it later turned pink, they returned and took out the pink, and used a watered down version of bicarbonate of soda on it, and then said if it still had pink in it to use more bicarb of soda on it, which i did, it removed the pink but then discoloured the area outside the stain and now i have an even bigger stain there and the carpet appears ruined, i wish i had not bothered as i would now rather have lived with a small turmeric stain than a large messy stain, i have no idea what i can do and am thinking i may have to start saving to replace the carpet. I tried just using water to try and merge the now square stain with the rest of the carpet but it hasnt made any difference. the stain is bang in the middle of my living room carpet. Do you have any ideas about what i can do?
If the stain is dog or cat urine, I use between 1/3rd white vinegar and 2/3rds water to half and half.
If it's dried, I firstly sponge it in then put a towel over the stain and stomp on it to get as much moisture out of the carpet and underlay as possible. I sometimes have to repeat this a couple of times, but I find it lightens the stain and removes any urine smell. If you get a fresh urine stain, use a towel and stomp to remove as much urine as you can, then use the white vinegar mix after with a fresh towel to soak it up. I've done this on both cream coloured carpet and brown carpet and it's worked well, but I can't vouch for other colours.
Not all puppies are a large brained emotional mammal. You have Standard Poodles which are the most intelligent breed with Border Collies close behind, these dogs are actually more intelligent than many humans. I have found owners of these breeds to be very intelligent people, usually with genius level IQ's.
Then at the other end of the scale is a popular breed known as Pit Bulls who have been bred for fighting to the death. Pit Bulls haven't been bred for intelligence or emotional traits. They are not as stupid as an Afghan but Pit Bulls are close to being the stupidest breed and usually their owners are on the same level intellectual level, with IQ's usually under 80.
People should only breed intelligent and friendly and loving dogs. It's time to let the aggressive violent breeds die out. If you need a protective dog, the German Shepard is the logical choice.
It’s hard to believe summer’s over! Fall is here and now’s a great time to think about winterizing your Main Line home. The Philadelphia area gets hit with everything winter has to offer: freezing temperatures and icy rain and snowstorms that can be so strong they even knock out your power. There are plenty of proactive steps you can take. Some may look like big chores, but compared to what it would take to make repairs after the fact, they’ll all save you both time and money.
To get started, here’s a checklist of winterizing tips we think will keep your family warm and safe through the winter months.
Finally, if your older home still has its “classic” thermostat, replace it with a programmable one, which will save you money by automatically adjusting the heat during different times of the day. We hope these winterizing tips will help you protect your Main Line home from winter’s harshest elements. To learn more, schedule a conversation now – we’d love to meet you!
Congratulations to the following winners:
In the Pine Cone Hill Giveaway, #327: Jessica B. who wrote:
“Lenox, Links, Scramble…oh my, they are all lovely. Thanks !”
The winner of the Wine Country Pantry Giveaway is #79: Rachel F.
In addition to winning all the goodies, Rachel also posed this question with her entry:
“As we continue through grad school we are still renting housing and it is becoming a bore, and quite frankly getting me down on my decorating abilities. White stark walls, cement walls, old dingy cabinets, etc. What in the world can I do to make this temporary home my own ?”
Great question Rachel! You have the same dilemma many renters face: turning white walls into a stylish and comfortable home that you want to return to at day’s end. There’s not much you can do to dingy cabinets in a rental without permission to paint, beyond giving them a good scrub. As for white walls ? There’s a lot that can be done to bring warmth, color, pattern, and style to your abode.
My Best Tips for Decorating with White Walls:
Splurge on a Colorful Patterned Rug. Pick a bold color or interesting design you love, then go for it ! These two examples by Pottery Barn and West Elm are staged on wood floors, but you’ll have a harder time noticing your less than desirable rental flooring with area rugs like these. Plus, you’ll anchor your seating area and brighten your space.
Use Wallpaper Strategically. There’s no need to apply wallpaper directly to your walls to make an impact. Be more creative by applying wallpaper to plywood or a large canvas. Tacking trim or molding around the perimeter with brad nails finishes the edges and does no more damage than ordinary picture frames or art ~ tiny holes are easily repaired with spackling when moving out.
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Decorate with Patterned Panels. White walls are the perfect backdrop to showcase beautiful fabrics. Introduce pattern and add interest to your windows with your treatments of choice, whether it’s bold color or a subtle graphic design.
Accessorize with Fabric and Color. This is the most obvious, but most effective way to design around your white walled space. Choose non-neutral furnishings upholstered with colored fabrics, then add pillows, throws, lamps, glass bottles or vases, and fresh flowers ~ these are the simplest ways to bring color into your nest.
Texture counts too ~ bring in natural fibers like sisal rugs or baskets, soft yarns, and silks. Don’t forget how easy it is to use spray paint to change the color of just about anything, whether it’s picture frames, lamps, or thrift store finds.
Paint a Piece of Furniture. I’m always inspired by furniture makers that offer finishes beyond stained wood, basic black or white finishes. Take a cue from Somerset Bay, The New Traditionalists, and Oomph ~ paint an ordinary piece with a fresh modern color and marvel how it makes the room.
Swap or Add a Light Fixture. If it’s the brassy nightmare in the foyer that gets your goat, or the majorly outdated chandelier that you stare at over your breakfast table, consider replacing it. I highly recommend a professional electrician do the swap for you when your working with someone else’s wires. You can always make the switch back when you leave, and keep your fancy fixture for your next place.
If not, keep in mind there are plenty of options for plug-in chandeliers (available at Shades of Light or Lamps Plus) that add style and simply suspend from a ceiling hook.
Inject Your Personality. The very best way to turn someone else’s white walls into your home is to fill it with things that are dear to you. Your favorite art, pictures of loved ones, your coziest pillows, throws, and collected treasures, fun fabric covered canvases, even whimsical streamers or bunting. Anything that makes you smile should be your guide.
For Now, Embrace the White. So you are dying to add color to your walls, but you’re unable. Paint on the walls adds color and certainly adds drama, but remember that white walls are serene, so don’t see them as plain, see them as a blank canvas to showcase your creativity. Then accessorize !
Get Inspired. Take a cue from bloggers like Nester, Erin, and Jenny who are presently renting, but have never let that stop them from transforming their spaces into homes with personality and plenty of great style.
One final note. If you find you really really really neeeeeed to have color on your walls, then ask your property manager if you can paint. When I was renting an apartment during law school, I asked the manager if I could paint one wall a pale green. I showed him the paint sample and even agreed to paint it back to white when I left. He agreed!
My sister has done the same thing with her rental home of two years. She approached the landlord with a paint sample and he agreed to let them paint the bedrooms a pale blue, without an agreement to repaint when they leave. They’re great tenants, and he saw that the new paint could add value.
If you’ve signed a long term rental, your manager or landlord may agree to allow for painting walls, but he or she may ask for additional security deposit. If you approach the topic, you may get lucky. It simply doesn’t hurt to ask !
Calling all renters, past and present, let’s hear from you. What’s your best tip for decorating with white walls? Do share !
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