How to Clean Carpet Stains

How to Clean Carpet Stains: A Comprehensive Guide
Let’s face it, carpet feels great underfoot but can be the most difficult of all home surfaces to keep clean.

Which is why we have put together an exhaustive list of how to clean many types of carpet stains.

The best tip of course is speedy action on the spill, splatter or stain. If you always keep a bottle of soda water in your cupboard, this is your first port of call for many accidents, as the bubbles will work in your favour to help to lift fresh spills straight away. At the end, pat dry with paper towel to avoid water marks.


Alcohol Spills
If alcohol is spilled on your carpet, stay calm and follow these simple steps.

As soon as possible, pour on some soda water, salt (if it’s red wine) or sponge the area for a few minutes with cold water. This helps to stop it setting.

While wet, rub a mixture of liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water into the stained area. Let it sit for minutes, then soak up the liquid using a dry sponge or thick paper towel. Tough stains may need you to repeat the process.

For red wine we recommend using vinegar rather than the detergent mixture. As mentioned above, prompt action is the key to success.

Blood Stains
Blood stains on carpet require swift action. First up, sponge the offending area with cold water.

Wait a few minutes, then rub the area with an ammonia solution. About two tablespoons of household ammonia in a cup of water should be about right.

Candle Wax
Wax requires either heat or extreme cold to become unstuck. For carpets, scrape away the top layer, then place a few layers of paper towel or brown paper bags over. A warm iron will then draw melted wax onto the paper.

Chewing Gum
If chewing gum gets on your carpet, dry cleaning fluid from a Dry Cleaners is the most effective option, or dab with Eucalyptus Oil for minor amounts.

Coffee & Tea spills
Fresh spilled coffee or tea on carpet should be sponged with cold water to prevent the stain setting. Once you have done this gently rub the stain with detergent and warm water. Pat dry.

Make Up and Nail Polish Stains
Dry cleaning fluid is the best way to tackle cosmetics or nail polish stains on your carpet. Use it sparingly and gently. A small sponge with a few drops of the fluid on it should help you to remove most cosmetic marks.

After treating the stain wash the area with a warm water and detergent mix. Pat dry.

Fruit juice
Like most liquid stains, sponging with cold water is always the first thing you should do for fruit juice stains on carpet.

Then rub the area using a mixture of liquid detergent and warm water. For tougher stains try using vinegar instead. Afterwards soak up any excess liquid with a dry sponge or absorbent paper towel.

Grease or Oil
Get yourself some spot dry cleaning fluid and gently rub onto the stained area.

Leave for a short while, and then wash the area with a warm mix of water and liquid detergent. Pat dry.

Ink Stains
Ink stains on carpet can be tough to remove so you’ll need a helping hand from some dry cleaning fluid. Gently sponge the stain using the fluid.

Leave it for a few minutes, then rub the area with a mix of liquid detergent and warm water. Pat dry.

Milk
Following an initial blot, use some detergent with warm water for milk spilled on carpet. Follow this with a mix of household ammonia and water. About a tablespoon to a half cup of water should be about right. Pat dry.

Soft drinks
The quicker you sponge soft drink spilled on carpet with cold water the better. Then rub the area using a mixture of liquid detergent and warm water. For tougher stains try using vinegar instead. Pat dry.

Tomato sauce
Use the back of a knife to gently scrape away any excess tomato sauce spilled on the carpet. Then sponge the offending area with cold water. After you have done this rub the area using a mixture of liquid detergent and warm water.

Follow this with a mix of household ammonia and water. About a tablespoon to a half cup of water should be about right. Pat dry.