How to Remove Carpet Stains 

Man spraying carpet stain.

How to remove carpet stains. Out, out #&*! spot!  If you've got kids, you'll get carpet spills. Blood stains, nail polish stains, pet stains, and beyond - it's all part of the territory when it comes to family life. 

But just because carpet stains are inevitable doesn't mean they have to be permanent. Here's how to remove carpet stains from your floor coverings.

Clean Carpets Spills Immediately

Most manufacturers put a stain-resistant finish on carpets, but it can only do so much.

Deal with spills immediately. The longer you wait, the more the carpet absorbs them. Scrape up any solids first. Then blot up stains with a clean white cloth or paper towel. Don't rub.

Put a small amount of stain remover on a clean cloth and lay it over the stain for 10 minutes. (See appropriate remedies for common stains below.) Then begin blotting from the edge of the stain to the center. Rinse the area with cold water and blot dry. 

Put a stack of clean white towels on the spot and weigh them down with a heavy object for six hours to soak up excess moisture. Caution: If you don't remove all of the cleaning agent, a worse stain  can result. Don't skip this last step!

Also, if the stain is severe, you might want to call a professional carpet cleaner in right away. Home remedies may worsen the problem or even set the stain permanently. 

How To Remove Carpet Stains

Food and beverages are attracted to carpet like magnets. Stains happen. Here are some remedies for the most common stains.

Ballpoint pen ink: Pour a little rubbing alcohol onto a clean, dry cloth and blot. Then blot-rinse the area with a clean, white rag or paper towel and warm water to remove the rubbing alcohol from the carpet.

Blood: Someone get a boo-boo? After you kiss it well (and apply a happy face Band-Aid), go to work on the spot. Rub an ice cube on the stain. As it melts, so will the spot. Don't let the area get too wet, however.

Blot up the stain with a clean white towel. 

Burns: If a large section of carpet is burned, you will need to patch the carpet. However, small burns can be disguised by cutting away the burned tips with scissors and trimming the surrounding tufts to conceal the cut.

Fingernail polish: Some little lady's in big trouble! Remove the polish with a non-acetate nail-polish remover on a clean cloth.

Work from the edges to the middle and leave the remover on for a few minutes. Then blot dry. It may take several tries.

Pet accidents: Urine is the worst. And once it soaks into the pad, you've got a big problem. First, blot up as much as you can.

Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent in 1 cup of lukewarm water and blot it onto the stain with a clean cloth. Blot dry using a second cloth. Rinse. Blot dry. Keep repeating those steps until the spot is gone. Then mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar in 1 cup of water and blot again.

Finally, put a pile of paper towels on the spot and weight it down with a heavy object until all moisture is absorbed. (Hint: Don't use too much liquid, or you will inadvertently spread the urine into the pad yourself). 


You Might Like These:

  • How to make disinfecting wipes at home. Store bought disinfecting wipes are simple to use and kill most bacteria and viruses. These ready made wipes are spendy, however.

    Make Disinfecting Wipes At Home

    How to make disinfecting wipes at home. Store bought disinfecting wipes are simple to use and kill most bacteria and viruses. These ready made wipes are spendy, however.

  • Summer house cleaning hacks. So, you didn't quite get around to that spring cleaning, did you? Relax. Summer is a season for second changes, and these house cleaning hacks can help.

    Summer House Cleaning Hacks

    Summer house cleaning hacks. So, you didn't quite get around to that spring cleaning, did you? Relax. Summer is a season for second changes, and these house cleaning hacks can help.

  • How to remove rust from metal? These 4 homemade remedies can help remove even the toughest buildup.

    How to Remove Rust from Metal

    How to remove rust from metal? These 4 homemade remedies can help remove even the toughest buildup.

  • Here's the home cleaning routine that works

    The Home Cleaning Routine

    Here's the home cleaning routine that works

  • Washing curtains and window treatments at home is a relatively easy and cost-effective solution. These cleaning tips can help get the job done.

    Washing Curtains and Window Treatments

    Washing curtains and window treatments at home is a relatively easy and cost-effective solution. These cleaning tips can help get the job done.

  • The basics of routine deep cleaning. Did you know there's a difference between routine and deep cleaning? Understanding the differences between these terms can

    Basics of Routine Deep Cleaning

    The basics of routine deep cleaning. Did you know there's a difference between routine and deep cleaning? Understanding the differences between these terms can

  • The reason why we often get colds during the winter is not because of the weather. Being indoors plays a part. Here's how to prevent colds at home.

    How to Prevent Colds

    The reason why we often get colds during the winter is not because of the weather. Being indoors plays a part. Here's how to prevent colds at home.

  • Tips for cleaning purses. This s a task we often overlook. Yet we put our purses down in some rather unsavory places from time to time. It's time come clean.

    Tips For Cleaning Purses

    Tips for cleaning purses. This s a task we often overlook. Yet we put our purses down in some rather unsavory places from time to time. It's time come clean.