How to Remove Carpet Stains

The Carpet Stain Removal Technique

Dealing with stains can be extremely frustrating. One small spill can lead to a permanent stain that ruins the look of your carpets. While some stains are impossible to fully remove, you can eliminate or drastically reduce most from carpet by acting quickly and using the proper techniques. This guide will teach you how to treat all types of stains so your floors look fresh and clean again.

Why Stain Removal is Important

Stains are more than just an eyesore – they can permanently damage and discolor carpet fibres if left untreated. Food, grease, dirt, and liquids contain staining substances that bond to the carpet and cause browning, yellowing, and color loss over time. They also lead to premature carpet wear and tear in high traffic areas. Removing them quickly prevents permanent setting into the carpet backing and fibres. Taking the time to properly treat them preserves the life of your carpet so you don’t have to replace it as often.

Pro Tip: Act immediately when you spill something on the carpet! The longer the wait, the lower your chance of getting the stain out completely.

General Stain Removal Steps

Follow these basic steps for any unknown spill:

1. Blot the excess liquid immediately with clean, white absorbent towels. Don’t rub or scrub as this can spread the stain deeper into the carpet. Apply pressure and lift straight up.
2. Determine the stain type and grab your stain fighting supplies – see the upcoming specific treatments.
3. Pretest any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of carpet to check for potential damage or discoloration.
4. Apply a small amount of the recommended cleaning solution to a white cloth and gently blot the stain. Work from the edges inward to prevent spreading.
5. Rinse the area with clean water and blot dry if using a wet method.
6. Allow carpet to air dry completely before walking on it to prevent soiling.

Carpet Stain Types & Removal Methods

Different stains require different removal methods and solutions. Here’s how to conquer some of the most problematic stains:

Blood Stains

Blood contains protein which can permanently bond to fibres. Making it difficult to remove over time. The key is treating it quickly before it sets:

What You’ll Need: Cold water, hydrogen peroxide, liquid dish soap, white vinegar, baking soda, salt

Steps:

1. Lightly sprinkle salt on the blood stain and let sit for a few minutes to absorb moisture.
2. Gently blot the blood stain with a cloth soaked in water. Repeat until the stain is removed from the surface.
3. Mix 2 parts hydrogen peroxide with 1 part liquid dish soap in a bowl. Dip a clean sponge into the solution and gently dab onto the stain. Let sit 2-3 minutes.
4. Blot up the foaming mixture with more cool water and a clean sponge. Then rinse with white vinegar to neutralize.
5. Blot dry with towels until all moisture is removed.

Ink Stains

Ink contains dye that soaks deep into carpet fibres. Removing it requires drawing it back out:

What You’ll Need: Rubbing alcohol, liquid dish detergent

Steps:

1. Apply rubbing alcohol to a cloth and blot the stain repeatedly to break down the ink’s dye pigments.
2. Once the stain stops transferring onto the cloth, mix a small amount of liquid detergent with warm water in a bowl.
3. Sponge this solution onto the stain using light, gentle strokes – don’t rub aggressively. The detergent will help lift more ink dye from the carpet.
4. Blot area dry once stain is removed. Repeat steps if faint staining still shows.

Coffee and Tea Stains

Coffee stains look worse over time due to browning. Tannins bind to the fiber creating a stubborn stain:

What You’ll Need: Glycerin, vinegar, water

Steps:

1. Mix 2 tablespoons glycerin into 1/2 cup warm water until dissolved. Spread this evenly over stain.
2. Wait 15-30 minutes for glycerin to draw stain out then blot area gently with rags.
3. Spray white vinegar onto stain and let sit another 1-2 minutes. The acid breaks down residue.
4. Blot with more white towels until all moisture is removed.

Pet Stains and Odors

Pets can leave smelly, unsightly stains containing bacteria behind. Enzymes help eliminate it:

What You’ll Need: Enzyme pet stain cleaner, vinegar

Steps:

1. Lightly spray enzyme cleaner formulated for pet stains onto the affected area. Don’t soak the carpet through.
2. Let sit for 5-10 minutes so enzymes can digest and dissolve the tough stain. Gently blot excess moisture.
3. Mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part water and spray over the stain to neutralize odors and lift residue.
4. Blot dry until moisture is removed. Allow to fully dry.

Dirt and Mud Stains

Ground in soil can be extremely difficult to remove once dried onto fibers:

What You’ll Need: Vodka, warm water, vinegar

Steps:

1. Create carpet stain remover – mix 1/2 cup vodka with 1 cup hot water. Apply some of this solution directly onto the dirt stain using a clean, white cloth.
2. Gently agitate and blot the grimy area repeatedly to transfer soil onto the absorbent cloth. Avoid aggressive scrubbing.
3. Once transfer stops, spray vinegar solution over stain to remove last traces of dirt residue.
4. Blot dry. Vacuum once fully dry.

Gum Stains

Chewed gum bonds strongly to carpet fibre when flattened and requires freezing to harden for removal:

What You’ll Need: Ice cubes, plastic bag

Steps:

1. Place ice cubes in a plastic bag and hold on top of the gum for 1-2 mins. Freezing it solidifies the gum so it chips off easier.
2. Use a butter knife or spoon handle to gently scrape softened gum off carpet fibres once frozen.
3. Repeat freeze-and-scrape cycles until all gum residue lifts out. Try not to pull out fibers.
4. Use rubbing alcohol applied to a clean cloth to remove any remaining sticky residue left behind from the gum base.

Urine Stains and Odors

Urine contains high ammonia that causes yellow staining and foul odors over time:

What You’ll Need: Enzyme cleaner, vinegar

Steps:

1. Lightly spray an enzyme cleaner formulated for urine over the affected area. Concentrate on the edges where it may have spread underneath.
2. Allow carpet cleaner to soak for 5-10 minutes so enzymes break down the urine salts and proteins.
3. Blot area gently to lift enzyme cleaner. Rinse with vinegar to neutralize odors then blot again.
4. Check for staining after carpet dries. Repeat process if yellowing persists.

Wine, Juice, and Soft Drink Stains

Sugary drinks like white wine, juice and soda sink into carpet leaving stubborn spots. Salt helps:

What You’ll Need: Salt, water, liquid soap

Steps:

1. Cover the entire stain with ordinary table salt. Let sit for 3-5 minutes so the salt pulls some of the moisture out.
2. Gently blot the salty area with freezing water to make colors leech out. Repeat blotting until no more transfer shows on the towel.
3. Mix a teaspoon of clear liquid hand soap with 1 cup water. Using a small brush, lightly foam this mix over stain to lift more coloring. Rinse soap solution out with more ice water once stain removed.

Vegemite Stains

Vegemite and other spreads create dark oil stains due to their high protein content:

What You’ll Need: Liquid laundry detergent, water, vinegar

Steps:

1. Squirt a small amount of liquid laundry detergent solution directly onto the vegemite. Use light, gentle agitating motions with a toothbrush to work the soap into carpet fibers.
2. Once soapy foam turns dark, blot the area repeatedly with clean sections of towels to transfer staining. Avoid scrubbing aggressively.
3. Rinse detergent from carpet using vinegar diluted in water. It helps neutralize fat-based food stains.
4. Blot rinse solution until all moisture lifted. Let carpet completely dry.

Candle Wax Spills

Candle wax bonds tightly to fibers upon cooling. Heat melts wax for easier removal:

What You’ll Need: Paper towels, iron, cloth bags, soap solution

Steps:

1. Blot away any excess candle wax immediately so it doesn’t spread further across the carpet. Allow wax to fully harden if still soft.
2. Place a paper towel over the hardened wax spill to protect carpet fibers. In a circular motion, pass a warm iron over it to loosen wax grip and absorb it from carpet.
3. Replace soiled rags frequently while ironing wax. Avoid overheating one spot.
4. Once wax absorbed, pour a small amount of liquid dish soap mixed with water into a small sealable bag. Work soap solution into wax residue by gently rubbing the bag on stained fibers.
5. Rinse cleaned area with fresh warm water applied with a sponge. Blot dry. Repeat if wax remains. Let fully dry before walking on clean carpet.

The Bottom Line

Dealing with common carpet stains doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Now that you know how to treat all types of stubborn stains, you can keep your carpets looking fresh and clean. Just remember to always start by blotting liquid spills quickly before they have a chance to set in. With the proper methods and solutions, you can eliminate new stains and restore already damaged areas.