The lily flower symbolizes purity and refined beauty. Lilies are one of the few flowers that will keep nicely indoors for quite some time. The only problem is that pollen drops as they age and the pollen from lilies can be difficult to remove. Lily pollen is dusty and should be avoided so it doesn’t stain your hands. The best way to avoid these stains is the remove the pollen-containing anthers from the stamen as soon as the lilies start to open. You can still remove the anthers as they start to produce pollen by using a tissue. Before they open completely they are rubbery enough to remove the anthers without damaging the flower. A trick you can try is to spray the anthers with hairspray, but this can shorten the life of the flowers. Avoid these stains in the first place and know how to remove them if your carpet gets stained.
 

Removing Wet Lily Pollen Stains from Carpet

1. Tape or a vacuum cleaner. Pollen is a dry substance, so use vacuum cleaner or sticky tape to lift off as much of the dusty pollen as possible. Make sure you don’t scrub, otherwise it will get into the fibers and the stain can spread.
2. Dry-cleaning solvent. Use a sponge and blot the stain until it’s gone.
3. Enzyme laundry product. These products can be very useful in removing lily pollen because these products cut into the pollen and pull it from the fibers. Just be sure to use it as directed.
4. Isopropyl alcohol. Use a clean cloth or paper towels to gently blot the stain, work from the edges towards the middle and allow the areas to dry.
5. Shaving foam. Spray the shaving foam on the stain and gently work the stain with an old toothbrush, rinse with cold water and let the area air dry.
 

More Tips to Remove Dusty Lily Pollen Stains from Carpet

Many stains are caused by liquids, but remember, pollen stains are caused by a dusty powder. Think of pollen stains like talcum powder or baking soda and then think of how you would clean it up. You wouldn’t pour water on it, so don’t do it with pollen. Lots of stains are easier to remove by adding water but when it comes to pollen stains you need to take a different approach. Adding water can come at the end of the cleaning process, when it’s time to rinse. If you add water right away, you’ll dissolve the powder and encourage the stain to spread. Do not use ammonia or products that contain ammonia because it can set the stain and make it almost impossible to remove.
 

Carpet Cleaning in Tracy, Livermore, San Ramon, Dublin, Mountain House, Walnut Creek, Danville & the East Bay of California

Knowing how to deal with lily pollen stains will make it easier to have these beautiful flowers in your home because you won’t have to stress about possible stains. Contact Carpet Care 2000 to schedule your spring deep steam carpet cleaning today!