How to Remove Carpet Stains
Complete Guide to DIY Stain Removal
We’ve all been there; one moment, you’re relaxing on the couch and the next, there’s a giant stain on the carpet from a spilled drink or a pet mess. While it’s tempting to just cover it up with furniture, learning how to remove carpet stains is a valuable skill that can save you money on costly replacement. With a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can get rid of most smudges yourself.
In this handy guide, you’ll learn the dos and don’ts of DIY carpet cleaning, how to tackle the two major types of stains, rehydrate old set-in marks, and even give your whole carpeting a deep clean. Let’s banish those spots for good.
Dos and Don’ts of Carpet Stain Removal
DO
- Blot, don’t rub: Always gently blot the spills with a white clean cloth. Rubbing can drive the stain deeper into the carpet fibres.
- Work from the outside in: This keeps the stain from spreading and getting bigger.
- Test on an inconspicuous spot first: Check that your cleaning solution doesn’t damage or discolour the carpet.
DON’T
- Use coloured cloths or towels: The dye could transfer onto the carpet. Stick to white cloths or plain white paper towels.
- Overwet the carpet: Too much moisture can seep down and ruin the backing or padding.
- Scrub vigorously: Blotting lifts the ugly marks while scrubbing pushes it in deeper.
Water Soluble vs. Non-Water Soluble Stains
Identifying what caused the blot can make removal easier. There are two main categories:
Water-soluble stain dissolve in water. These include:
- Juice, soda
- Washable ink
- Mud
- Latex paint
- Berries
- Milk
These can be lifted using simple dish soap and water.
Non-water soluble stain do not dissolve in water. These include:
- Coffee, tea, wine
- Chocolate
- Grease
- Blood
- Pet accidents
These stains may need an enzyme cleaner or other solution to break them down.
When to Call the Pros
DIY carpet cleaning can tackle most stains and save you money on professional cleaning. However, for very old, set-in stain or pet urine odours, hiring professional cleaners is the next best option. A pro’s enzymes, steam cleaning, and suction can be worthwhile if DIY options fail.
Removing Water Soluble Stains
For mud, berries, milk and other water-soluble spills, try these simple cleaning solutions first:
- Dish soap and water: Mix a few drops of dish soap into 1 cup warm water. Dip a white cloth, blot, let sit 2-3 minutes and blot again. Rinse with clean water.
- Vinegar, dish soap and water: For tougher spots, mix 1 Tbsp white vinegar and 1 Tbsp dish soap into 2 cups of warmed water. Blot, let sit, then rinse.
Always blot gently, working from the edges inwards. Avoid overwetting the backing.
Tackling Non-Water Soluble Stains
Scrape and Blot
For a fresh stain, gently scrape up any solid material with a spoon or dull knife. For liquids, blot as much as possible with a white cloth or paper towels.
Pretreat with a targeted remover
- Wine: Blot with club soda first.
- Coffee/tea: Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Let sit for 2-3 before blotting.
- Chocolate: Use dish soap and warm water solution.
- Grease: Sprinkle baking soda, let sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum up.
Rinse & Blot Dry
Always finish by rinsing with clean water and blotting until dry.
Pro Tip: Weigh down absorbent towels with a book or pan to fully draw out moisture.
Rehydrating & Removing Old, Set-in Stains
Don’t despair if you uncover an old, set-in blemish when moving furniture. These can be challenging. But rehydrating and attacking the stain in layers can get the job done.
- Mix 2 tsp dish soap in 2 cups warm water. Spray or blot the stain generously to rehydrate.
- Let sit for 5-10 to penetrate down into stain and carpet fibres.
- Blot thoroughly, apply solution again, blot, and repeat until no more color transfers to the towel.
- Rinse with water and blot dry. Repeat until all soap residue removed.
For old grease stain, sprinkle baking soda after rehydrating, let sit overnight, and vacuum up. Vinegar and dish soap also help cut through oily residue.
Be patient and persistent. It may take 2-3 rounds of rehydrating and blotting for success. Call a professional carpet cleaner for really tough, set-in pet and other mystery spots.
Freshen Up Your Whole Carpet
Once a stain is banished, give your entire carpeted floor a refresh! DIY cleaners combine gentle detergent and oxygenating power at a fraction of the cost of professional carpet cleaning.
DIY Carpet Cleaning Solution
Mix together in a bucket:
- 1/4 cup OxiClean powder
- 2 liters of very hot water
- 1/4 cup powdered laundry detergent
- 1/4 cup all-purpose cleaner like Mr Clean
Method
Use a rented or purchased carpet cleaner machine designed for home use. Add the DIY solution to the machine’s tank per device directions. Pass over entire carpeting 2-3 times, overlapping passes slightly. Allow to fully dry before walking over carpets.
How to Remove Common Carpet Stains
Chocolate
Few things feel better than melting chocolate in your mouth…unless it’s melting chocolate into carpet. If the spill just happened, freeze ice cubes on top immediately so it hardens for easier removal. Gently scrape off any excess goop first with a spoon or dull knife. For what’s left, make a solution of dish soap and warm water then spritz and let sit several minutes before dabbing away all traces.
Mud and Dirt
We all love frolicking outdoors, but the dirt often hitches a ride back inside on shoes! Allow any dried mud or soil to fully dry first. Mix dish soap, vinegar, and water then spray liberally on the area and wait 10 minutes before blotting. The acid from vinegar dissolves mineral deposits in dirt so they lift right up!
Grease and Oil
Kitchen mishaps mean splatters happen, but an oil stain don’t need to be permanent. Coat the spot in baking soda until fully covered. The soda will work to absorb and draw out the grease over several hours. Let sit before vacuuming away. You can also use a solvent-based cleaner full of degreasers to break up the oil.
Red Wine
Nothing spoils the vibe of a dinner party faster than an overturned glass of cabernet! Skip the club soda and head straight for white vinegar. The acetic acid will help lift the pigment. Then sprinkle on baking soda to let it bubble away the stain for 5 minutes before blotting and repeating as needed. The wine doesn’t stand a chance!
Blood
Nicks and scrapes from misadventures are part of life with kids and pets. Speed is critical for removing a blood stain! As soon as possible, gently sponge with very cold water then spray hydrogen peroxide. This stops setting and lifts it away. You’ll soon forget anything happened!
Gum
Finding crusty pieces of gum smashed into a bedroom rug is annoying. Freeze the glob with an ice pack then scrape away chunks carefully with a spoon or dull knife. Then treat the leftover sticky residue by rubbing nonflammable dry spot cleaner dissolved in water. This will leave carpets fluffy and gum-free!
Candle Wax
Nothing sets the mood like candles, until wax drips everywhere. Harden drips faster by putting ice cubes in a plastic bag on top. Then use a paper knife to gently scrape off solidified wax before wiping with paper towels to absorb residue. Any lingering oily marks can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol and water.
Pet Urine
Carpet care when you have pets can be challenging. Cat or dog pee stains often resurface after you think they’ve been cleaned fully the first time. This happens due to leftover crystallised urine deep under carpet that needs dissolving. Vinegar helps counteract the ammonia and will cut through the urine salts so they can be completely removed. An enzymatic cleaner like Nature’s Miracle also works wonders to destroy the pee proteins and neutralize odours permanently.
With a few inexpensive ingredients and tools, you can remove carpet stains. Some strategic elbow grease allows you to tackle set-in spills and marks and give your carpeted floors an overall deep clean. Your floors will look fresh, clean and stain-free.
