If your furry friend just turned your carpet into their personal canvas, we’ve got the tips to get those muddy paw prints out for good.
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Gather Your Supplies
Before you start tackling those paw prints, round up these essentials:
- Paper towels or clean rags
- Vacuum cleaner
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup dish soap OR Lively's Multi-Surface Cleaner
- Clean cloths (at least 2-3)
- Towels for drying
7 Steps to Cleaner Carpets
1. Blot excess mud with paper towels.
Think of this as damage control. Press paper towels firmly against the wet mud to soak up as much as possible.
Pro Tip: Do not rub. Rubbing will only push the mud deeper into your carpet fibers and spread the mess. Nobody wants that.
2. Allow the remaining mud to dry completely.
We know waiting is hard when you're staring at muddy paw prints, but trust the process. Wet mud is stubborn and messy to remove. Once it's completely dry, it'll lift much easier.
3. Vacuum the dried mud thoroughly.
Once the mud has dried completely, you’re good to vacuum. Use your vacuum's hose attachment to get up close and personal with those dried mud chunks. Don't skip this step. Getting the loose dirt out first makes the next step way more effective.
Pro Tip: Work from the outside of the stain toward the center to avoid spreading particles around.
4. Choose your cleaning solution.
For the best results? Reach for Lively’s Multi-Surface Cleaner. This probiotic powerhouse keeps working for days after you've finished cleaning. Simply use it straight from the bottle, no mixing required.
Pro Tip: If you’re in a pinch, you can mix 1 cup of warm water with a few drops of dish soap to make a cleaning solution.
5. Apply your chosen cleaning solution to the stained area.
If using Lively's Multi-Surface Cleaner, just spray it directly onto the stain. Our probiotics know exactly what to do. If you opted for the DIY dish soap solution, dampen a clean cloth in the mixture and wring it out so it's damp, not soaking wet.
6. Blot and rinse the area.
Using a clean cloth dampened with plain water, gently blot the treated area to remove any cleaning residue. You don’t want to skip this step, as it helps ensure no soapy buildup is left behind to attract more dirt later.
7. Blot the area with a towel.
Press a clean, dry towel firmly against the area to absorb as much moisture as possible. You might need to do this a few times to get most of the water out.
8. Repeat steps 5–7 until the stain is gone.
Stubborn stain? Don't panic. Some mud stains need a few rounds of treatment, especially if they've been sitting for a while. Just keep repeating the application, rinsing, and drying process until you're satisfied with the results.
9. Let the area air dry.
Step away from the hair dryer — heat can set any remaining stain permanently. Let the carpet air dry naturally. Open a window or turn on a fan to speed things up if you're in a hurry.
10. Vacuum once more to lift carpet fibers.
Once everything's completely dry, give the area one final vacuum to lift the carpet fibers back up and restore that fluffy texture. Your carpet (and your guests) will thank you.
Keep Those Paws Clean and Your Carpets Cleaner
Muddy paw prints happen, but with the right approach and a little patience, you can get your carpet looking like new again. The key is acting fast when the mud is fresh and being thorough with each step of the cleaning process. Whether you use dish soap or upgrade to Lively's Multi-Surface Cleaner with its probiotic power that keeps working long after you've finished cleaning, your carpet will be back to its former glory in no time.
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