How to remove different kinds of carpet stains

Sometimes it looks like we spend all our time on the carpet: eating, drinking and smartening up. But, that’s life 🙂

Before you head to our service we can advise you on some carpet cleaning secrets since prevention is always better than cure.

The most dreadful carpet stains should be treated immediately. And here is how:

Most “popular” stains:

Nail polish stains

Your carpet is, unfortunately, an “Eye-Witness” of your beauty crisis so painting your nails and carpet often happen simultaneously. Knocking over the nail polish bottle is one of the favourite Murphy’s women Law. So you are not an exception. But the laws governing the carpet cleaning are stronger than Murphy’s.

So let us begin. Take a spoon and pick up the fresh nail polish. To absorb it more thoroughly use a cotton cloth to push the stain residues off the carpet and onto the cloth. Restrain from rubbing since you will spread the polish around and get it deeper into the carpet. Never use bleach or acetone because of their discolouring effect. Instead, you can apply acetone free nail polish, hair spray, alcohol or window cleaner.

Red wine stains

After such a hard work you surely deserve a glass of vine. And if you accidentally spill it, take its strongest competitor-white wine and pour it on the stain. Then tap the spot with a clean cloth and follow the golden rule-never rub the stain! To extract the moisture place some salt over the treated area and press it with books or magazines wrapped in a towel and allow it to remain overnight. In the morning vacuum the area.

Pets urine stains

The best cure is to stop your pet from peeing in the house, but this being a next to impossible trick to pull off, let’s stick to a more feasible plan. To remove the stain and odours pour vinegar to saturate the stain and then sprinkle it with a baking soda. It will take a few days to dry. Then just vacuum the treated area.

Greasy Stains

If you are like Bridget Jones when sprucing herself up for a date you certainly have a shaving cream. Just apply it on an oily stain, wait until it dries and removes the residues with a clean cloth.

Coffe and tea stains

It’s somehow interesting how we remove beverage/liquid stains-by applying another beverage. “Hair of the dog that bit you” cleaning tactic. So, if you spill coffee or tea on a rug use beer or carbonated water to remove stains. Soak up the moisture with a cloth. Yes, it’s that easy!

Wax stains

As soon as you notice the wax stain, it’s important to take action. The longer any stain sits on the carpet, the more difficult it is to remove. Put the plastic bag filled with ice directly on the stain and let it there for 15 minutes. Use a dull knife to get the wax off the carpet. Lay a cloth over the stained area. Iron it slowly until you get the wax off. It will stick to the cloth. Fill a spray bottle with a carpet cleaning agent and gently scrub the treated area.

If the stains are persistent call us and we will fix them!

Choose the best chemistry for complete stain removal

Spot and stain removal is likely the most difficult task for professional carpet cleaners. But removing a spot or stain correctly can create a real sense of accomplishment.

In previous articles, we’ve explored how to identify spots and stains—and why it is important to do so before carpet cleaning— as well as how to recognize carpet fiber type, which also is essential to successful cleaning.

For the purpose of this article, we will call visible soils “stains,” because stains are more of a challenge to remove than a spot. Remember, a spot is on the fiber while a stain is inside the fiber.

After you’ve identified the type of carpet and the type of stain you’re dealing with, it is time to choose the proper chemistry to produce a successful cleaning.

Petroleum-Based Stains

For petroleum-based stains, such as ink, grease, and oil, look to organic solvents, commonly referred to as dry solvents. Dry solvents dissolve oil-based soils through careful agitation. Sometimes water-based detergents, which contain wetting agents (surfactants), are used in conjunction with dry solvents.

When cleaning polyester or olefin carpets, it’s important to note that oily soils can penetrate the fiber, which means the dry solvent must also penetrate to remove the soil. Then you have the added challenge of sticky residue on the fiber. A thorough rinsing with hot detergent or a volatile dry solvent minimizes future resoiling issues.

Remember to always use proper ventilation when cleaning with dry solvents.

Protein Stains

Protein digesters or enzyme treatments are useful for cleaning stubborn protein stains, such as blood, feces, or vomit. These enzyme products work well as long as you follow manufacturer directions. Adequate contact time with the stain is especially important, so make sure you adhere to manufacturer-recommended dwell time.

Water-Soluble Stains

Common water-soluble stains include tracked-in mud, food and beverages, water-based pens and markers. These stains are usually easy to remove using a water-based cleaning agent.

Natural or Organic Stains

Some water-soluble stains, such as coffee and tea, are more difficult to remove because the heat of the liquid bonds the substance to the carpet fibers. These substances often leave a tannin stain behind, even after cleaning. When water-soluble products have failed, remove these natural and organic stains with an oxidizing agent.

Other organic stains that respond well to oxidizing agents include stubborn food and beverage colorants, such as those in grape juice, ketchup, mustard, and most condiments.

Synthetic or Man-Made Stains

Man-made stains, especially those caused by red dyes in sports drinks and Kool-Aid, require a reducing agent. These types of stains, as noted in previous articles, affect nylon more than other fibers.

Apply reducing agents with a wet towel and a steam iron or other heat source. This process requires careful attention so as not to harm the carpet color or melt fibers. Use a damp, disposable, white cotton towel between the heat source and the carpet to keeps the heat from negatively affecting the fibers.

Dye stains are especially challenging, so we will explore removal of these natural, organic, and synthetic substances in a future article on tough-to-clean stains.

Amanda Hosey

Amanda Hosey is associate editor for CMM’s sister magazine Cleanfax, the leading magazine for carpet care professionals. She has worked in the editing and publishing field for more than six years. Hosey holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in creative writing. She can be reached at [email protected] .

Whether it’s coffee, blood, wine or pet stains, you can create the right homemade carpet cleaner for each type of accident you want to remove.

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Oops! Whether it be grape juice, a little present from Fido, or finger-paint artwork from your 3-year-old, it seems whatever is not supposed to get on the carpet always does.

With the help of carpet manufacturer Shaw and rug maker and importer Nourison, we’ve provided a list of the best DIY carpet stain removers that you can make using products from around your house.

Steps to Clean & Remove Carpet Stains

To remove carpet stains:

1. Simply blot the spot
2. Dry, working from the outside in.
3. Rinse thoroughly with clean, hot water.
4. Blot again.
5. Never scrub the carpet, or you risk ruining the carpet fibers or letting the spill soak through to the carpet pad.

Pro2ProTip: Before you try one of the methods, test it out in an inconspicuous spot to make sure it doesn’t discolor your carpet.

In addition to these methods, there are several spot removers on the market.

How To Clean Red Juice & Other Water-Soluble Stains

Use a simple cleaning solution made up of 1/4 teaspoon of non-bleach detergent (or white vinegar) mixed with 32 ounces of water.

Types of water-soluble stains:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Berries
• Colas
• Excrement
• Food dyes
• Gravy
• Ice cream
• Jelly
• Milk
• Mud
• Washable ink
• Wet or latex paint

How To Clean Coffee & Tougher Water-Soluble Stains

Try 1 tablespoon of ammonia mixed with 1 cup of water (but not on wool or wool-blend carpet; instead use mild detergent and water).

If that doesn’t work, you can try one part chlorine bleach to five parts water, but only on solution-dyed carpets, such as polypropylene. Bleach will harm other types of carpets; check with the manufacturer if you are unsure what type of carpet you have.

Types of tough water soluble stains:

• Blood
• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Mustard
• Tea
• Vomit
• Wine

How To Clean More Common Stain Types

Fat and Oil

Place a paper towel over the carpet and iron on warm setting. The wax, fat, or oil should come up off the carpet and stick to the paper towel.

Cigarette Burn

These can be removed by gently rubbing the pile with the edge of a hard and flat surface, such as a dull knife.

1. Moisten a cotton ball or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol and press it on the affected area.
2. Once the glue residue is thoroughly moistened, gently wipe it off and repeat until the carpet is clean.

Wax and Gum

1. Use ice to freeze the wax or gum,
2. Then shatter it with a blunt object, such as a spoon.
3. Vacuum before the pieces soften, and blot the carpet with a white towel.

Nail Polish

Blot the area with a rag dipped in nail polish remover.

Urine

1. Absorb as much as possible with white towels, then blot with a damp, cool cloth.
2. Next, spray or blot with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water.
3. Finally, apply a solution of 1/2 teaspoon of clear, mild, non-bleach detergent mixed with 32 ounces of water, rinse, and blot dry.
4. If the urine was the result of a dog’s accident, you may also want to try a housebreaking aid such as No-Go.

Dirt and Mud

1. To remove mud from your carpet, first let it first dry before vacuuming it.
2. Avoid rubbing it with a cloth as this will only deepen the stain.
3. Vacuuming over the area several times, until most of the dirt is picked up.
4. Then, mix one-teaspoon of dishwashing detergent with one cup of warm water.
5. Blot over the area as needed until the stain is gone.
6. Let the carpet dry.

Carpet Cleaning and Maintenance

Even if you don’t have any mishaps, you should always have your carpet thoroughly cleaned every 12 to 18 months.

There are many professional carpet cleaning services, or you can rent a steam carpet cleaner. They are usually available at your supermarket.

If you decide to do it yourself rather than hire a pro, you need to keep a few things in mind:

• Make sure the carpet cleaning machine you choose has enough vacuum power to allow the carpet to dry in 6 to 12 hours or you may risk damage from getting it too wet.
• Use fans or a dehumidifier to expedite drying time after cleaning. Be aware that if your carpet is wet for more than 24 hours, you risk mildew and bacteria growth.
• Choose a cleaning solution that has a pH of 10 or less, and make sure you remove all detergent after cleaning.
• Double-check your warranty. Carpets with stain resistance must be cleaned with products formulated for them or you risk impairing their effectiveness and voiding your warranty.

Yikes! What a mess. Whether it’s from a piece of pizza dropped on your rug, a butter stain or tracked in on someone’s shoe, grease in your carpet will eventually attract dust and dirt, growing darker and more obvious over time.

Here are some great ideas for getting the grease removed from your carpet.

Remove New Grease Stains

If the mess, just happened, experts with Good Housekeeping suggest,

1. Scrape off any residue.
2. Sprinkle the site with something absorbent such as baking soda or cornstarch. Let this powder work on the stain for 15 minutes before vacuuming.
3. Mix one tablespoon Dawn dish soap with two cups warm water. Sponge this into the carpet, then sponge the carpet with clear cold water to pick up the soap.

Remove Old Grease Stains

An old grease spill can be extremely hard to extract from carpet because it’s embedded with dust, dirt and other nastiness.

There are a couple of chemical options you can try to get the old grease out once you’ve removed as much dirt as possible from the grease.

Once you’ve cleaned the spot,

1. spray the stain with a little shaving cream.
2. work the shaving cream into the grease with a toothbrush.
3. wipe away the shaving cream with a damp cloth
4. sponge the area with cold water to rinse away the remaining shaving cream.

The gentle bubbling action of the shaving cream may be enough to loosen and release the grease.

Other suggested chemical degreasers include Dawn dishwashing soap, Simple Green or a professional degreaser from a janitorial supply place.

Those in the automotive industry that sometimes inadvertently track grease from the shop floor onto carpet recommend keeping your degreaser in a spray bottle for quick application and blotting.

Another powerful degreaser actually designed for laundry use is Fels-Naptha Bar Soap. This is the weapon of choice for experts at FrugalFamilyHome.

This bar can be dampened and rubbed directly onto grease stains. It will need to be thoroughly rinsed and blotted to remove the soap from rugs, but it will cut through grease embedded in fabrics.

Grease Vs. Other Stains

While plain bacon grease is mostly just grease, a dropped slice of pizza also introduces tomato sauce to your carpet. While none of them are good for your rugs, it’s important to be aware that your cleaning process may take a few steps.

Authorities at One Good Thing by Jillee offer a simple degreaser that can give you a great head start on getting greasy goo out of your carpet.

Mix plain salt with rubbing alcohol at a ratio of 4 to 1 so you have a clumpy mix of salt. Scrub this into your carpet stain, going with the grain of the rug. Once this dries, vacuum away the salt.

You should now be free of most of the grease. There may be other pigments to deal with for a final cleanup, but the remaining stains should release more easily.

Peroxide and baking soda can also bubble grease out of your carpet, but they may bleach it as well. Only use peroxide on such a stain if the rug is a lost cause; you have nothing to lose, and it may work.

It’s recommend to use 3/4 cup of peroxide, two to three teaspoons of baking soda and a squirt of Dawn dish soap. Rub this into the carpet with a clean cloth. This will remove grease and odor from fabrics, bedding and carpets.​

Final Thoughts

With a little ingenuity and some elbow grease, you can remove even old grease stains from carpet. Blot up and dry as much grease as possible with talc or baking powder, then vacuum.

Loosen the grease with a degreaser and bubble it away with a dab of shaving cream or peroxide. Good luck!​

Choose the best chemistry for complete stain removal

Spot and stain removal is likely the most difficult task for professional carpet cleaners. But removing a spot or stain correctly can create a real sense of accomplishment.

In previous articles, we’ve explored how to identify spots and stains—and why it is important to do so before carpet cleaning— as well as how to recognize carpet fiber type, which also is essential to successful cleaning.

For the purpose of this article, we will call visible soils “stains,” because stains are more of a challenge to remove than a spot. Remember, a spot is on the fiber while a stain is inside the fiber.

After you’ve identified the type of carpet and the type of stain you’re dealing with, it is time to choose the proper chemistry to produce a successful cleaning.

Petroleum-Based Stains

For petroleum-based stains, such as ink, grease, and oil, look to organic solvents, commonly referred to as dry solvents. Dry solvents dissolve oil-based soils through careful agitation. Sometimes water-based detergents, which contain wetting agents (surfactants), are used in conjunction with dry solvents.

When cleaning polyester or olefin carpets, it’s important to note that oily soils can penetrate the fiber, which means the dry solvent must also penetrate to remove the soil. Then you have the added challenge of sticky residue on the fiber. A thorough rinsing with hot detergent or a volatile dry solvent minimizes future resoiling issues.

Remember to always use proper ventilation when cleaning with dry solvents.

Protein Stains

Protein digesters or enzyme treatments are useful for cleaning stubborn protein stains, such as blood, feces, or vomit. These enzyme products work well as long as you follow manufacturer directions. Adequate contact time with the stain is especially important, so make sure you adhere to manufacturer-recommended dwell time.

Water-Soluble Stains

Common water-soluble stains include tracked-in mud, food and beverages, water-based pens and markers. These stains are usually easy to remove using a water-based cleaning agent.

Natural or Organic Stains

Some water-soluble stains, such as coffee and tea, are more difficult to remove because the heat of the liquid bonds the substance to the carpet fibers. These substances often leave a tannin stain behind, even after cleaning. When water-soluble products have failed, remove these natural and organic stains with an oxidizing agent.

Other organic stains that respond well to oxidizing agents include stubborn food and beverage colorants, such as those in grape juice, ketchup, mustard, and most condiments.

Synthetic or Man-Made Stains

Man-made stains, especially those caused by red dyes in sports drinks and Kool-Aid, require a reducing agent. These types of stains, as noted in previous articles, affect nylon more than other fibers.

Apply reducing agents with a wet towel and a steam iron or other heat source. This process requires careful attention so as not to harm the carpet color or melt fibers. Use a damp, disposable, white cotton towel between the heat source and the carpet to keeps the heat from negatively affecting the fibers.

Dye stains are especially challenging, so we will explore removal of these natural, organic, and synthetic substances in a future article on tough-to-clean stains.

Amanda Hosey

Amanda Hosey is associate editor for CMM’s sister magazine Cleanfax, the leading magazine for carpet care professionals. She has worked in the editing and publishing field for more than six years. Hosey holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in creative writing. She can be reached at [email protected] .

Keeping your carpets clean and stain-free is impossible. That’s because occasional spills are inevitable while foot traffic can’t be stopped altogether. This is especially true in households with more members or kids and pets running all over the place!

Fortunately, it is fairly simple to remove stains from your carpet if you know the right methods to follow. For that, you’ve certainly come to the right place! Today, we are sharing tried and tested, easy-to-follow methods to remove different types of carpet stains. Read on!

(Dust, mud, dirt, etc)

These natural stains are typically mild in nature, and occur regularly. Unless they are severe or have had time to set, most of the dried stain can be vacuumed up while the rest, removed with mild soap and water.

Here is a quick step-by-step guide to remove natural stains from carpet:

1. Blot the stain with paper towels (if it is wet or damp). Allow the dirt/mud to dry up completely, and then vacuum the spot.
2. Make a carpet stain remover consisting of liquid dish soap (1 teaspoon) and cool water (2 cups).
3. Take a clean, white cloth, dip a part of it into the solution, and squeeze out excess water. Use the dampened cloth to gently wipe and lift the stain.
4. Finish off by blotting the area with paper towels, and allow it to air dry.

(Chocolate, pasta sauce, ice cream, ketchup, wine, coffee, tea, juice, cola, etc)

No carpet stain causes more panic among homeowners than one caused by food or drink! Perhaps it is the vibrant colours of the stains that scare people, or simply the misconception that beverage/food stains on carpet are impossible to remove. Well, we are here to tell you otherwise!

Use the method below to remove different kinds of carpet stains left by an accidental beverage or food spill:

1. Pick off chunks or bits (if any) so that you are only left with a liquid stain.
2. Absorb as much of the stain as possible with paper towels (blot, don’t scrub).
3. If you don’t have a carpet cleaning product, mix 2 tablespoons of fabric detergent in 2-3 cups of water; adjust the strength of the stain remover according to the severity of the stain.
4. A white hand towel or absorbent cloth should be used to clean the carpet stain as it needs to be lifted as opposed to dissolved. Dampen the cloth with the solution and wipe the stain gently in circular motions; be sure not to use the same side of the cloth when the stain begins to transfer onto the cloth.
5. Soak up moisture from the carpet with paper towels.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the stain is removed.
7. If needed, allow the carpet to dry completely before repeating the steps.

(Oils, grease, butter, body lotion, lipstick, salad dressing, etc)

A lot of homeowners believe carpets with grease or oil-based stains are a lost cause and therefore, do not even attempt to remove them. While old carpet stains caused by oil or grease may require professional cleaning techniques, if you act sooner than later, you just might be able to remove the stains yourself.

Take a look at our stain removal method for oil and grease carpet stains:

1. Dampen a clean, white cloth with a dry cleaning solvent such as glycol ethers or perchloroethylene, otherwise known as ‘perc’.
2. Blot the stain and observe how much of it is getting removed before using another side of the cloth (or a fresh one altogether).
3. Continue cleaning the carpet stain using more of the solvent if needed.
4. After 5 minutes of removing the stain, gently wipe over the area with a clean, damp cloth to rinse off the solvent.
5. After the carpet dries, check if any discolouration remains and repeat the stain removal process one more time.
6. Be sure to allow the carpet to dry before repeating the steps.

Bear in mind that removing different types of stains from your carpet requires patience and, oftentimes, the need to repeat steps or the entire method depending on how old the stains are, and the severity of them. Nevertheless, these are tried and tested carpet stain removal methods so the next time you see ugly marks on your favourite carpet, use the cleaning guides above to get rid of them!

by Luke Armstrong · Published 04/19/2018 · Updated 04/23/2019

When you install new carpeting in your home or business, it’s not a matter of “if” it will become stained; it’s a matter of “when”. No matter how much you insist on no shoes, food, drinks, or pets, carpet stains will happen. The important thing to know is how to remove stains from the carpet before they become permanent and ruin your costly investment.

The following includes a complete list of various carpet stains and how to remove them.

The following list includes the different types of carpet stains and how to remove them:

1. Pet stains
2. Coffee stains
3. Kool aid and lemonade stains
4. Blood stains
5. Ink stains

Pet Stains

Having a cat or dog means that eventually you’ll have pet stains on the carpet. As much as we love our furry friends, they can mark up the carpet with numerous stains over time.

So here’s how to remove pet stains using natural home remedies:

1. First, pick up any solid mess or blot up urine.
2. Be sure not to rub or smear, which will make the cleanup more difficult. Continue blotting a wet stain until it is almost dry.
3. If you don’t find the accident until it’s dry, wet the area and apply a cleaning product specially made for pet stains.
4. A good carpet odor remover can be made by combining ¼ cup vinegar and a quart of warm water.
5. Spray it on the stain, soak for several minutes, then blot and rinse with warm water.
6. Repeat until the smell is gone.

Coffee Stains

It’s hard to tell what’s more upsetting, losing the morning cup of caffeine or getting it all over the carpet. Coffee stains can easily be mistaken for pet accidents because of their similar colors, so you definitely want to clean them up fast.

How to remove coffee stains:

1. Blot the area with a clean, dry, white towel.
2. Be sure not to spread the liquid further; change towels if necessary.
3. Try the vinegar/water/dish soap mixture first and blot carefully before you try a commercially available product.

Kool Aid and Lemonade Stains

The dyes in these kids’ favorites can cause bright stains that attract unwanted attention. If you act quickly, you can remove stains from carpets, even white ones, before it’s too late.

How to remove kool aid and lemonade stains:

1. Blot the area with a white cloth; never rub, as it will push the dye further into carpet fibers.
2. Use a commercial product specifically made to treat stains, or if you don’t have one, combine ¼ cup of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of dish soap in a spray bottle and fill with water.
3. Spray the area liberally, let sit for 5-10 minutes, then blot with a clean, dry towel until the stain is gone.

Blood Stains

The most important thing to remember is to always work with cold water when cleaning up blood. Heat makes it coagulate and cold water will keep it from soaking deeper into fibers.

How to remove blood stains:

1. Fill a spray bottle with cold water and 2 tablespoons of a grease-cutting dish soap, then spray liberally on the area until it is soaked.
2. Use a paper towel or white cloth to blot the area and transfer the blood to the cloth.
3. Rinse with cold water and repeat as necessary. If this doesn’t remove all traces, use a bleach-free laundry product that will oxidize the stain and remove it.

Ink Stains

How to remove ink stains:

1. Soak a white cloth in isopropyl alcohol; the higher the percentage of alcohol, the better it will work.
2. Dab the stain with the cloth, but don’t scrub because that will cause the ink to spread. It might take a few treatments to get all the stain out.
3. Some hair sprays, nail polish removers, white wines, and vinegars will also work, as long as the alcohol content is high enough.

Professional Carpet Cleaning to Remove Stains

If all home remedies fail, you can count on ServiceMaster’s professional carpet cleaning services. Give them a call for a free estimate!

If you have a stain that won’t go away, or if you don’t know how to remove odors from the carpet, trust the experts at ServiceMaster by Metzler. We’ve helped home and business owners in Mt. Prospect, IL protect their investments in carpeting for years and keep them in top shape.

We inspect and pre-treat damaged areas, use the hot water extraction method to remove even old stains, and groom fibers so they look beautiful again. ServiceMaster’s method means carpets dry quickly, so you don’t have to wait long to use your rooms again. Our professionals will ensure that your carpets look as good as the day they were installed. We can do a one-time cleaning, or work with you to create a regular schedule of cleanings that will keep them looking their best at all times.

Carpet cleaning prices vary, depending on the number of carpets in the home or commercial space, and the amount of staining. According to HomeAdvisor.com, the national average is $175.

For a free estimate on your next carpet cleaning in the northwest Chicago area, call ServiceMaster by Metzler at (847) 380-7888.

About Luke Armstrong

Expert in emergency fire and water restoration services, fire cleanup and water damage cleanup, mold removal, as well as carpet and upholstery cleaning services. Contributor to several restoration and cleaning blogs.

Plus, why you should never use a scrub brush on your rug.

Carpet and rugs add a layer of comfort and warm up a space. However, they are magnets for dust, debris, and notoriously difficult-to-remove stains. If you happen to drop red wine or chocolate on your carpet, don’t stress—you won’t need to toss them in the trash or get them replaced. Follow these simple tips on how to get stains out of carpet and rugs.

Always Blot the Stain ASAP

The key to successful stain removal is speed. The quicker you act the more likely you’ll be successful in removing a carpet stain. When a spill occurs, the first step is to absorb as much as the stain as possible. If the substance is thick or chunky, you will need to remove all the physical debris first. Try using a butter knife or spoon to scrape up as much of the debris as possible.

Next, use a damp paper towel or light-colored towel (white is best) to blot the area. The Carpet and Rug Institute says that printed or colored material may transfer ink or dye to your damp carpet. Fold the towel over and continue to blot until most of the stain is absorbed into the towel. White towels make it easier to see how much of the stain gets absorbed.

AmazonBasics Fast Drying Extra Absorbent Terry Cotton Coths, 24 for $17.99 from Amazon

Read Up on the Best Way to Remove the Stain & Do Not Scrub

Consult the manufacturer for the list of recommended cleaning products for use on the rug or carpet. Not using the right cleaning products could void your warranty or damage your rug. If in doubt, use an SOA Certified cleaner.

Dip a white cloth into a small amount of the cleaner. Then, work it in gently onto the stain. Start from the edges and work your way to the center. Blot, don’t scrub. And never use a scrub brush. The bristles and scrubbing action can damage the carpet and push the stain deeper into the fibers. You may have to repeat the previous step more than once to remove the stain.

Once the stain is gone, blot the area with clean water to remove any remaining product. Blot the area with a dry cloth to soak up any moisture. Allow the area to dry completely.

How to Deal with Stubborn Stains

Certain types of stains take more effort to remove. The first step to getting rid of tough stains is to remove the solids and blot as you do with any stains. Let’s take a look at how to approach notoriously difficult stains.

Red Wine

Immediately blot up as much of the wine as possible. Then, dilute the stained area with cold water, then blot again. You will need to get as much of the pigment out as possible before applying the stain remover. Some popular red wine stain removers include club soda, rubbing alcohol, and baking soda. As with any commercial stain removers, be sure to consult the manufacturer to make sure the cleaners are safe for the rug or carpet. Blot, rinse, and dry as described above.

Pet Stains, Grease & Chocolate

Urine, feces, and other biological (including grease and chocolate) messes require special treatment. Remove solid matter first and blot up any liquids. Next, use a stain remover designed for protein-based messes. These cleaners are enzyme-based and contain beneficial bacteria. They are designed to break down waste particles that bacteria can more easily consume. Best of all, they will no traces of scent on the carpet once cleaned. Rinse and dry the treated spot thoroughly with a clean cloth.

Coffee

Blot up the spill and spray the area with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. If that doesn’t not remove the stain, let the area dry and then sprinkle baking soda over the stain. Let it sit overnight. In the morning, vacuum the baking powder. If the stain is still there, you will need to use a professional grade cleaner.

Blood

Blot up as much as you can, then dilute the area with cold water (never use hot—that will cause the stain to set). Next, spray hydrogen peroxide over the stain. Make sure that the hydrogen peroxide is safe for use on your carpet or rug prior to applying. The hydrogen peroxide will start to fizz and bubble as it comes into contact with the blood. This is completely normal. Blood have enzymes that attack hydrogen peroxide molecules and converts it into water. Blot dry and repeat if necessary.

These stains can be tricky but quick action will give you positive results. Spray the affected area with rubbing alcohol. Allow the alcohol to sit on the the stain for about an hour, then gently blot it with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Repeat if necessary.

Although gum is not necessarily a stain, it does leave a terrible mess on rugs and carpets. Put a few ice cubes in a sandwich bag, and place them on top of the gum. Let it sit for about half an hour. This will cause the gum to harden. Start peeling the gum off the fibers. If it gets soft, reapply the bag and allow the gum to harden again.

Getting stains off your carpet and rugs will help keep your flooring (and space) looking bright and new. Of course, the best way to keep your flooring looking its best is to prevent the stains in the first place. However, if a spill occurs, acting quickly will save you a lot of effort later.

Sometimes, most of your carpet cleaning will involve stain removal. It is almost impossible to avoid stains since most of the foods and chemicals you use at home are potential causes of carpet stains. The best way to prevent stains from damaging your carpet is by knowing how to remove them. Some people remove stains through abrasive means when cleaning their carpets. This might be effective, but such method damages the carpet.

For example, scrubbing the stained area using a rough brush might discolor the carpet or cut its fibers. You should use a suitable solvent to remove stains without damaging the carpet. Below are different types of stains and the solvents you should use to remove them.

Water-soluble stains

These are stains that dissolve in water. Most water-soluble stains are foods, beverages, or inks. Examples include milk, soda, fruits, alcohol, and latex paint. To remove these stains, you just need warm water and a soft towel. Moisten the soft cloth with warm water and blot the stained area gently. It will be easier to remove the stains if you blot the stained area before the stains dry.

If pure water does not remove the stains, you can add soap or detergent to the warm water and blot the stained area again. Remember to rinse the carpet after removing the stains since soap can discolor it. You can also use ammonia on non-wool carpets and hydrogen peroxide on white carpets in place of soap.

Oil-based stains

Fat and oils do not dissolve in water, so oil-based stains cannot be removed using water only. Common oil-based carpet stains include lipstick, petroleum jelly, margarine, crayons, and grease. You can remove oil-based stains using baking soda, corn starch, or alcohol. Baking soda and corn starch remove stains by absorbing moisture from the stains. Moisture is what makes the stains stick to the carpet. Once the moisture has been removed, you can vacuum up the residue.

Alcohol removes stains by dissolving the oils. If you are removing stains using baking soda or corn starch, you should sprinkle them over the stained area and let them sit for about 20 minutes before vacuum cleaning.

Wax and gum

Wax and gum stick to carpet fibers, and chipping them off forcefully will damage the material. The force needed to remove the stains is substantially reduced by drying the wax or gum using ice. To dry the wax/gum, cover the stained fibers with ice cubes for at least 20 minutes. Once the wax or gum is dry, gently chip it off starting with the outer edges. If some wax/gum remains, apply baking soda, and let it sit for about 20 minutes. After that, remove the residue using a vacuum cleaner

Combination stains

Some stains contain both soluble and non-soluble compounds. These include tea, coffee, vomit, blood, and chocolate. To remove combination stains, blot the stained area with a soft towel soaked in a solution of water and white vinegar. If the stains do not go away completely, use the baking soda method of removing non-soluble stains.

To effectively remove stains while cleaning your carpet, you need to use the right stain removers. Before shopping around for stain removers, determine the types of stains on your carpet. This should inform your choice of stain removers. If you find stain removal daunting, you can hire professional carpet cleaners to do it for you.