How Do You Clean Ketchup, Pasta Sauce, Or Barbecue Sauce Off A Carpet?
Family dinners around the dining table may be positive bonding experiences, but sometimes everyone wants to sit around the TV and watch the big game with some chips and hot dogs. Unfortunately, one little accident, and you could have a stubborn ketchup stain on your living room carpet. Here’s how to remove stains from ketchup (catsup), pasta sauce, or barbecue sauce–without using harsh chemical cleaners. • Scrape away excess ketchup with a butter knife. Use a butter knife to remove excess ketchup. Gently scrape away the excess sauce as soon as possible after the stain sets. Use the dull edge of the knife, and remove as much of the ketchup as possible. • Decide how to treat the stain. It’s essential to use the right stain-removal techniques for a type of carpet. For example, natural fibers, such as wool or grass, can react badly to liquid stain removers (see the warning below concerning these chemicals), and you should always think twice before cleaning antique carpets or valuable rugs
• Scrape away excess ketchup with a butter knife. Use a butter knife to remove excess ketchup. Gently scrape away the excess sauce as soon as possible after the stain sets. Use the dull edge of the knife, and remove as much of the ketchup as possible. • Decide how to treat the stain. It’s essential to use the right stain-removal techniques for a type of carpet. For example, natural fibers, such as wool or grass, can react badly to liquid stain removers (see the warning below concerning these chemicals), and you should always think twice before cleaning antique carpets or valuable rugs. If in doubt, call a professional carpet cleaner. • Dab some lukewarm water on the stain if it has dried. Dry stains need to be prepared for cleaning, so simply moisten a clean cloth with warm–not hot–water, and gently dab it onto the stain. • Prepare the cleaning solution. Add ¼ teaspoon mild detergent or carpet shampoo to 1 liter of cold water. Stir the solution in a bowl to mix thoroughly. • Test any
