Getting Stains Out Of Carpet

By Author: Getting Stains Out of Carpet
Total Articles: 170
Comment this article

A single stain can ruin the appearance of an entire carpet. The solution is to remove the stain, but if you use the wrong "solution" for your carpet, you run the risk of creating another stain with your stain remover. The key to getting stains out of carpet is to use the right solution for the job.

Assume the Worst and be Ready

Stains on carpets are a fact of life. Rather than worry about if your carpet gets stained, assume that it will get stained and prepare in advance:
Is your carpet made from a natural fibre or a synthetic material? Different carpet materials require different stain removal solutions.
What do you need to have on hand for your carpet? Many of the best stain removers, such as white vinegar and detergent, can be found in most homes. If there's something you don't have, buy it and keep it handy for an emergency.
Is the stain a water soluble stain? Water soluble stains and oil stains may require different cleaning solutions.
The primary ingredients you will need for most stains are water; a mild, translucent liquid detergent; household ammonia (for natural fibres ...
... only); and/or vinegar. The strength of the solution will depend on the type of carpet your are cleaning. For oily stains, you may need an oily nail polish remover that does not contain acetone. Acetone can bleach the carpet and harm carpet fibres. You will also need to keep a few clean, empty spray bottles handy.
Carpet Cleaning Solutions for Water Soluble Stains

A water soluble stain is any stain that is made by a substance that can dissolve in water. Examples of these include:
Alcoholic beverages
Soft drinks
Latex paint
Excrement
Gravy
Food dyes
For natural fibre carpets, try these solutions:
One teaspoon translucent liquid dishwashing detergent per cup of lukewarm water.
Equal volumes of white vinegar and lukewarm water. A quarter cup of each should be enough.
One tablespoon ammonia per half cup of lukewarm water (except on wool or wool-blend carpets).
Start by misting the carpet with your detergent and water mixture. Blot, don't scrub the stain, starting from the outside of the stain and moving in. Scrubbing can drive the stain deeper into the carpet and damage the carpet pile. Rubbing from the inside out can spread the stain.

If the detergent/water solution isn't effective, use the white vinegar and water solution. You may need to alternate these. That's why having a few spray bottles on hand is a good idea.

Some substances resist cleaning with detergent or vinegar. Use the ammonia mixture if the water soluble stain includes any of the following:
Blood
Chocolate
Coffee
Tea
Wine
Mustard
Vomit
After using the ammonia solution, follow up with the other solutions.

Take your time. Any of these solutions take time to break down the stain. If you are working with a stubborn stain, try spraying the carpet and leaving it untouched for 10 or 15 minutes before blotting.

Synthetic fibres can be cleaned with vinegar and detergent solutions, but in different volumes:
One quarter teaspoon detergent per cup of lukewarm water.
Half cup vinegar to one cup lukewarm water.
Carpet Cleaning Solutions for Oil, Fat and Grease Stains

Oil, fat, grease and other substances that are not soluble in water may require other cleaning tactics. This is where your nail polish remover may come in handy, especially if the stain includes any of the following:
Crayon
Lipstick
Nail polish
As with other solutions, you want to dab, not rub the nail polish remover. Moisten a clean, dry, white cloth with the remover and gently remove the stain.

One way to get rid of oil, wax and grease stains is to iron them out. Simply place a dry paper towel on top of the stain and then place your iron on a warm setting on top of the paper towelling. The heat will draw the oil into the paper. Remove and replace the paper as needed until the carpet stain is gone. If it still resists, continue with your nail polish treatment.

Cold, too, can help remove some types of stains. Place a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and then set the bag on top of chewing gum or wax stains. When the gum or wax hardens, you should be able to break it up by beating it with a blunt object, such as a serving spoon.