How to Spot Clean Different Types of Carpet Stains

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Expert-backed tips for quick & easy cleanup
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Spot cleaning is an inevitable part of living with carpet. Various companies manufacture cleaners that are formulated specifically for stain treatments, but you may not have these or want to use them. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this article, we work with various professional cleaners to teach you the best ways to clean stains out of the carpet, from using baking soda and vinegar to using hydrogen peroxide . Read on and get those stubborn stains out of your carpet for good!

The Best Ways to Spot Clean Carpet

Cleaning expert Grettel Monge recommends using vinegar and baking soda to spot clean old stains on carpet.

  1. Blot the stain with a white cloth.
  2. Spritz the stain with a mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water.
  3. Sprinkle baking soda on top and let the mixture sit for 1-2 days.
  4. Vacuum the carpet.
Section 1 of 10:

How to Remove Fresh Carpet Stains

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  1. Any time you spill on carpet, speed is the most important factor. The longer a mess sits, the more it soaks in. Lay a towel over a fresh spill and let the towel soak up the liquid. For solid messes, scoop or vacuum up as much as you can before you use a cleaner.
    • Professional cleaner Ashley Matuska says vacuums have a plethora of attachments that can help clean off a carpet. Vacuum the affected area, then use a microfiber towel and mild cleaning agent to clean the spot. [1]

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Marcus Shields is a House Cleaning Professional who owns the Maid Easy cleaning company in Phoenix, Arizona.

    Grettel Monge is a Cleaning Expert who owns Essential Cleaners Miami. They specialize in residential, Airbnb, VRBO, and rental cleaning services.

    Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner who owns Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. She has over 7 years of experience.

    Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann are house cleaning professionals and the founders of Everneat, an eco-friendly cleaning service based in New York City and Connecticut.

    Haim Shemesh is a Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist who owns Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration, a cleaning specialist based in New York City.

  2. Before blotting, spray the stain with cold, clean water to soak it and prepare the spot. Then, grab a white cloth and get ready to work. Start from the outside and move towards the center during your first blot, going at the stain until all of the water is absorbed. Then, section the spot off and give it time to dry.
    • Best for Removing: Water-based liquids such as soda, some juices, lemonade, and tea. It also works on food stains like chocolate, fruit juice, gravy, milk, jelly, and syrup.
    • Always use a clean, white cloth to avoid transferring any color or grime from the cloth to the carpet.
    • House cleaning professional Marcus Shields says to always blot your stains. “You don’t ever want to rub because it rubs the stain against the carpet fabrics.” Blot until it lifts, then keep blotting to fully remove. [2]
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Section 2 of 10:

Removing Tough Stains with Vinegar

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  1. If you don’t want to use pure vinegar, dilute it halfway with water. Spray the spot with vinegar and let it settle for 10 minutes. Dab the stain with light pressure using a clean, white cloth. Rinse the cloth and repeat the above two steps until the stain has been completely removed. [3]
    • Best for Removing: Dirt, urine, food, and miscellaneous stains.
    • Before applying the vinegar to your carpet, test it on an isolated area to see if it will damage or fade the carpet.
Section 3 of 10:

Removing Old Stains with Baking Soda & Vinegar

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  1. Monge suggests using this method to remove old, stubborn stains, as the process will get the majority of the stain up before you do anything else. [4] Blot the spot with water, then spray enough vinegar onto the spot to cover the stain. Sprinkle a spoonful of baking soda onto the stain, making sure you cover it. Let the mixture sit for 1-2 days and cover it with a bowl, then vacuum it up. [5]
    • Best for Removing: Fat-based stains, such as butter, margarine, and gravy. This solution also works for wine, coffee stains, and pet stains if you let it work for 5-15 minutes before blotting the stains away.
    • The vinegar and baking soda work together to break the stain down, making it easier to remove than other methods.
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Section 4 of 10:

Removing Stains with Commercial Spot Cleaners

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  1. 1
    Choose a cleaner that is safe to use on your carpet. When choosing a cleaner, carpet & rug cleaning specialist Haim Shemesh says to “be very knowledgeable on what you use, the soap, the machine, and the type of rug you have.” When you get your cleaner, read the SDS information to know the components and elements in the product and how they’re going to affect the rug. [6]
    • Read the reviews of the product and make sure the company you’re buying from is reputable before using the cleaner on your carpet, too.
    • If you have a tea stain, house cleaning professionals Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann suggest using a probiotic carpet cleaner . Spray the area, blow the stain or scrub at it with a soft brush, then use a microfiber cloth to clean it up. [7]
    • Other Types of Commercial Cleaners:
      • Pet Stain Cleaner
      • Borax (Best for organic and protein-based stains)
      • Enzymatic Cleaner (Best for vomit, feces, food, and sweat stains)
  2. Most manufactured spot cleaners come in a convenient spritzer bottle or aerosol spray can. You may also have a powder cleaner, which you’d sprinkle on the stain. Spray the cleaner and let it sit for as long as directed. Gently apply pressure to soak the cleaner up using a clean, white towel.
    • Repeat the above steps if the stain isn’t lifted.
    • Be very careful not to over-saturate your carpet with the cleaner. If you spray too much product on the carpet, the suds can be hard to remove and may cause damage. It's better to use less soap and then do another application if necessary.
    • Spot cleaning products are available at most big-box stores, home improvement stores, and many grocery or dollar stores.
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Section 5 of 10:

Removing Stains with Hydrogen Peroxide

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  1. 1
    Dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water. To ensure that you remain safe throughout this process, wear gloves and eye protection to keep your skin and eyes from getting irritated or damaged. Then, make sure the room is ventilated by opening a window and turning on the fan. Finally, grab hydrogen peroxide that’s no more than 3% concentration and dilute it with equal parts water.
  2. 2
    Apply the hydrogen peroxide and blot until the stain lifts. Using hydrogen peroxide works well for stains on light-colored carpets, especially if the stains are old and deep. Cleaning specialist Courtney Jacobs says to squirt hydrogen peroxide onto a cloth, then blot the stain until it starts to come up. [8] Start from the outside of the stain and work inward. Let the hydrogen peroxide solution sit for 5 minutes, then vacuum the stain with a steam vacuum machine .
    • Best for Removing: Blood, urine, wine, coffee, tea, and mildew stains.
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Section 6 of 10:

Removing Stains with Beer

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  1. Pour a small amount of beer on the stain, blot, then vacuum. Beer is acidic, having a high pH that ranges from 4.00 and 5.00. All you have to do is pour a small amount of beer onto the stain. Then, rub the stain lightly using a soft-bristle brush. Give the beer about 5-10 minutes to settle, then vacuum the stain. Repeat the previous steps until the stain is removed. [9]
    • Best for Removing: Coffee, wine, juice, and other organic stains.
Section 7 of 10:

Removing Stains with Rubbing Alcohol

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  1. Blot the stain, apply rubbing alcohol, then rinse. This works best when the stain is fresh. Blot the stain with a clean, white cloth to absorb any excess, then apply rubbing alcohol directly to the stain and let it work for about 15 minutes. Then, blot the stain with the cloth until it is removed, rinse it with cold water, and wash it like normal. [10]
    • Best for Removing: Ink and dye-based stains.
    • Rubbing alcohol works best on durable fabrics, like denim and cotton, but can break down more delicate fabrics, like wool, acetate, and silk. Only use this method on durable items.
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Section 8 of 10:

Using Club Soda to Remove Stains

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  1. Spray club soda on the stain, wait for 1-2 minutes, then blot until it lifts. Put the club soda in a spray bottle, then spray the club soda on the stain to dampen it. To enhance the scrubbing power of your club soda, add salt. Wait 1-2 minutes for the soda to soak into the stain. Then, blot the stain with a clean cloth until the stain lifts.
    • Best for Removing: Fresh, organic stains, like those from coffee, wine, juice, and sauce.
    • As an alternative, you can put your club soda in a dish, then dip your rag in the dish. Blot the stain with your damp rag. Continue to blot the stain until it lifts.
Section 9 of 10:

Using Dish Soap and Ammonia to Remove Stains

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  1. In a bowl or bucket, add the soap and swirl it around in the water until it dissolves. It’s important to use cold water to prevent the stain from spreading further into the carpet. Then, pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle. [11]
  2. Using the spritzer bottle, soak the stain with the soapy water. Don’t over-saturate the carpet, but make sure the stain is soaked. Then, use your clean, white cloth to dab at the spot, applying pressure to the stain as you do. [12]
    • It’s important to use a white cloth so that no color from the cloth transfers to the carpet. A paper towel with no print works great and allows you to toss it in the trash after the cleanup.
    • If the first round of spraying and dabbing does not fully remove the stain, get a clean cloth and repeat the process as necessary.
  3. If the stain does not come up completely with dish soap and water, try the harsher cleaning power of ammonia. Mix the liquids in a cup that you can easily dip a cloth into. Then, apply the solution to a clean, white cloth and use it to dab at the stain until it comes up completely. [13]
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Section 10 of 10:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. 1
    When is it necessary to reach out to a professional for carpet stains? If you’ve tried all recommended cleaners and followed the methods for the specific stain you’re dealing with, just for the stain to remain, it’s time to reach out to a professional. For example, if you’ve tried to remove an ink or pen stain and it isn’t going away, reach out to a professional as soon as possible.
  2. 2
    How often should I get my carpet cleaned? House cleaning professional Chris Willatt suggests getting your carpet steam cleaned yearly, especially if you have pets. [14] This will ensure that any stains, dirt, or grime that has accumulated in the last year will be removed, keeping the carpet clean and safe from deeply settled stains.
  3. 3
    When should I replace my carpet? It’s best to replace your carpet every 5 to 15 years, depending on the stains, damage, and quality of the carpet. For example, if your carpet has accumulated multiple stains, general wear and tear, or constant lingering odors over the course of 5 years, it’s best to replace it once you notice those things, rather than waiting for the full 15.
  4. 4
    Is it possible to leave vinegar and baking soda on the carpet for too long? No, your vinegar and baking soda can stay on the carpet for as long as you need. The longer the solution is able to work, the higher your chances are of lifting the stain. It’s best to leave it for a long time than to clean it up too quickly.
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      Tips

      • Cold water, rather than hot, is best because hot water may cause stains to loosen and spread more.
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      • Water is least likely to cause damage to your carpet, so it’s best to try cleaning with water before you try anything else.
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      References

      1. ↑ Ashley Matuska. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ Marcus Shields. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ http://www.networx.com/article/we-tested-it-vinegar-as-a-carpet-cleane
      4. ↑ Grettel Monge. Cleaning Expert. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/4-everyday-items-that-work-wonders-on-pet-stained-carpeting
      6. ↑ Haim Shemesh. Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview
      7. ↑ Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. House Cleaning Professionals. Expert Interview
      8. ↑ Courtney Jacobs. Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview
      9. ↑ https://www.realhomes.com/news/beer-carpet-stain-cleaning-hack
      1. ↑ https://ecocleanaustin.com/how-to-remove-an-ink-stain/
      2. ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a16073/remove-blood-stains/
      3. ↑ http://www.coit.com/top-five-carpet-stains
      4. ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a16073/remove-blood-stains/
      5. ↑ Chris Willatt. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      In order to spot clean tough stains on your carpet, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spray the stain until it’s completely soaked with vinegar. Be sure to test the a small spot on your carpet ahead of time to ensure that the vinegar won’t damage the carpet. After spraying, take a clean, white cloth and dab at the stain by applying pressure with the palm of your hand. Rinse the cloth and repeat this process until the stain is completely removed. For more advice, including how to use baking soda to spot clean pet stains from your carpet, read on.

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