Infographic: Removal Procedures for Different Kinds of Carpet Stains

Check out our infographic below outlining the most common carpet stains and how to clean them.

Removing Red Wine Stains

1. Using favorite carpet shampoo or clothing stain remover

Take a clean cloth and dab the spill in an effort to get excess wine up and out of the carpet ASAP
After majority of the spill has been blotted up, clean as you would if wine stain were a bit of dirt on the carpet

2. Using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

Blot up as much as the wine as possible and then spray with hydrogen peroxide on the stain followed by a hefty sprinkle of baking soda
Make sure the peroxide and baking soda fully cover the stained area and let it sit for 2-3 minutes
Then rinse with water

3. White wine for red wine carpet stains

White wine will help neutralize red wine and make it easier to lift the color off the carpet
Simply pour white wine over the stained area and very gently blot the liquid up with a thick towel ( be very careful not to rub as this will force the stain into the carpet)
If the stain is still visible, you can add salt or soda to continue lifting out the pigment

4. Club soda

Club soda can poured on the stain and the carbonation will help lift the stain from the carpet fibers while the salt acts as buffer to keep the stain from setting

5. Vinegar, laundry soap or soda

Vinegar neutralizes the purple pigments and can be with stain fighting force of either soap or soda
Apply laundry soap or soda directly over the vinegar and give it a few minutes to soak in, then rinse and wash

Removing Coffee Stains

1. Using beer

You can literally lift the coffee or tea stain by pouring a bit of beer on top. Rub the beer into the material and the stain would disappear. You may have to repeat the process a couple of times to remove all traces of the stain

2. Using white foam shaving cream and mid soap detergent

Spray plain water and blot with clean cloth
If it is treated promptly, it can be removed without any staining but if there is stain left, apply mild soap or detergent to the area and gently work it by rubbing the fibers with your fingers.
Spray with water and blot several times to rinse
If there is still staining, apply foamy shaving cream to the area and rub it gently with clean cloth
Blot to remove and repeat as necessary

3. Using white vinegar and detergent

Blot as much of the spilled coffee as possible
Use plain water or mix one table spoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water
Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with plain water or the detergent/white vinegar solution
Apply a little bit at a time, blotting frequently with a dry cloth until the stain disappears

Removing Common Food Stains

1. Using water and vinegar

Pick up and discard any solid matter. If the stain is fresh it should lift off quickly and easily using a clean, damp cloth or sponge to blot at the stain until the food disappears
Depending on the stain, vinegar can be used diluted in warm water or poured straight into the stain if it’s set in deeper
Saturate the stain with vinegar and blot using cloth or sponge
When no more stain can be lifted, blot with a clean damp sponge to rinse. The smell of vinegar should leave in a day or two

2. Using baking soda and coarse table salt

A paste of baking soda and water can be made and applied directly to the stain
If the stain comes from liquid, baking soda or coarse table salt can be sprinkled directly on the stain
After about 10 minutes, the liquid should be completely absorbed
Blot with a damp cloth or sponge after all the baking soda is removed

3. Mild dishwashing liquid and warm water

Mix a tablespoon or two of the soap with a cup of warm water and blot using cloth or sponge
Once the stain is completely lifted, rinse by dabbing with clean damp sponge or cloth

4. Using club soda

It can be poured into cloth for blotting or poured directly into the stain before blotting
The bubbles will go to work to remove the stain and once all stains are lifted blot with clean damp cloth

Removing Chewing Gum Stains

1. Ice cube method

Dab an ice cube or Ziplock plastic bag filled with ice on the chewing gum and leave in place for one minute
Pull with care and try to avoid tugging at the carpet or being rough in removing the gum so as not to risk the carpet fibers
Clean the area using gentle detergent solution
Rinse with warm water after the gum has been removed

2. Using a hairdryer and peanut butter

Use the hair dryer to heat the gum but be careful not to overheat or it may burn the carpet fibers
Once the gum has softened, gently pull it out of the carpet fibers
To remove the residue, apply peanut butter on the remaining gum and work it gently with your fingers
Once the gum is removed, clean the area to remove residue from the cleaning product with small amount of soap or dish detergent mixed with warm water

Removing Pet Stains

1. Using white vinegar

For the urine spot on the carpet that is still wet, opt for white vinegar to neutralize the odor
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and cold water and pour the mixture generously over the soiled section, blot well and let dry

2. Using baking soda

For the urine spot that has already dried, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the soiled section and let it sit for a couple of hours before vacuuming

3. Using bleach

To tackle caked-in stains and odor on a light colored carpet, try 10 parts water to one part bleach
Spray the solution on the stain and let it sit for 15 seconds before thoroughly rinsing the area with warm water. Repeat the process if necessary

4. Using club soda

Start by blotting the section before pouring club soda over it. Once the solution has stopped fizzing, immediately blot the spot again, repeating as necessary

Removing Blood Stains

1. Using cold water

Spray cold water in the affected area
Use a dry towel to absorb moisture from the carpet
Repeat spraying and extracting process until the blood stain is gone

2. Using detergent and water

Mix one tablespoon of liquid dish washing detergent with 2 cups of cold water to make the detergent solution
Soak a clean white cloth in the detergent solution and apply on the stained area
Gently brush the affected area with a toothbrush
Blot the area with a clean, wet cloth to rinse the solution
Use cloth towel to dry the area

3. Using ammonia and water

Mix one tablespoon of ammonia with ½ cup of cold water in a spray bottle
Spray the ammonia solution on the blood stain and let it sit for about 5 minutes
Blot the spot with clean white cloth to dry the moisture

4. Using salt and water

Fill a small bowl with cold water and add enough salt to the mixture until it becomes a thin paste
Put some of the salt paste on the blood stain and let it sit for a few minutes
Blot the stain with clean white cloth

5. Using hydrogen peroxide

Moisten the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour
Blot and repeat the process until the blood stain on the carpet is gone
Apply the “1 part vinegar with 2 parts water” solution on the affected area if it turned brown when dried