When celebrating Halloween, all things pumpkin are usually involved! That means pumpkin carving, pumpkin pie and decorating with pumpkins. All of this can also mean pumpkin accidents, spills and stains! If you have a pumpkin stain on your carpet, don’t worry! Below is everything you need to know about how to remove pumpkin stains.

Pumpkin Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. Never use a stronger concentration! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues.

Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. CRI – www.carpet-rug.org

If you aren’t sure how to proceed, call on your local flooring retailer for help!

And if you’re wondering which floors resist stains the best, you’re not alone. When it comes to stain-resistance, you really can’t beat resilients—most notably laminate and vinyl plank. The best vinyl plank floors are tough, waterproof, and stain-resistant. The same is true for the best laminate floors, even though waterproof laminate flooring is a little less common.

Either way, both of these products are some of the best floors for dogs, kids, and yes, carving pumpkins for Halloween!