Solving a Problem: Removing Carpet Stains

Whether someone spilled a drink, a dog couldn’t make it outside, or a weird spot just appeared, you don’t have to tolerate carpet stains. While carpet removers are a viable option, why spend money on a chemical spray when you probably have all of the ingredients you need in your home already! If you have a particularly difficult stain, jump down further in the article to see if we covered it there. If not, here are 8 simple ways to remove different types of stains from your carpet.

1. Rule number one: Don’t let the stain dry out.

If you don’t know what the stain is, treat it with carpet shampoo. Spray it on, rub with a cloth, then vacuum to remove the shampoo.

2. Red Wine

For red wine spills, soak up as much as you can with paper towel, then rinse with lukewarm club soda or carbonated mineral water and continue to blot up with more paper towel. Using hydrogen peroxide or chlorine bleach runs the risk of leaving a lighter mark. The traditional salt treatment for red wine stains isn’t effective. Salt simply dries the stain out – it draws in liquid but leaves the color behind.

3. Oily Stains

For oily stains, sprinkle kaolin (white clay) powder, available from some pharmacies or online, over while still fresh. Leave the powder overnight then vacuum up the next day.

4. Coffee

Soak up coffee spills with paper towel and apply soda club or carbonated mineral water.

5. Waxy Stains

Place blotting paper over waxy stains and apply an iron at a low temperature – just warm enough to melt the wax. Repeat the process several times with fresh blotting paper.

6. Chocolate or Gum

For chocolate or chewing gum on a carpet, apply a cold gel pack or ice pack to harden the offending substance, then scratch it away in small pieces.

7. Ink Stains

A leaky pen can create a noticeable stain. To get them out, try using cornstarch and milk. Mix them together to make a paste, then cover the stain. Once it has dried completely, brush the leftovers and vacuum up what’s left. If that doesn’t work, try using WD-40 followed by traditional carpet cleaner together.

8. Grease Stains

Grease stains are tough because water and water mixtures will have no effect on them. Instead, use shaving cream. Rub the cream into the stain, then wipe it off with a wet cloth once it has dried. Repeat this process until the stain is gone!