How to Get Common Stains Out of a Carpet

Fri, Mar 08, 2024 16:51 CET

Carpets are very common in UK homes, and for good reason. They are soft and comfortable under the foot, they come in a range of colours and styles to suit every home, and they look great. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and your carpet can become stained due to spillages. Things such as coffee and red wine can leave behind a very prominent stain. However, it is possible to get these stains out of your carpet. You don't have to live with them.

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Below, cleaning expert Sarah Dempsey at MyJobQuote.co.uk has created this guide, providing you with everything you need to know about getting various common stains out of your carpet. The key to getting stains out of your carpet is the timing – the faster you can act, the better the outcome will be. So, if you're dealing with a spillage on your carpet, take a look at the information below to find out the best way to go about removing the stain completely.

Removing Pet Stains From a Carpet

If the stain is still wet, begin by dabbing it with paper towels to absorb most of the waste. Then, use some warm water and blot the area with a towel or clean cloth.

Vinegar is a great disinfectant and perfect for cleaning pet stains from your carpet. Create a mixture of one part water and one part white vinegar. Pour some of this solution over the stained area and then lightly scrub the area with a clean, white cloth or soft brush. Avoid scrubbing the area with a coloured cloth, as this could result in the colour spreading to your carpet, creating an even worse stain. Once you've finished scrubbing, blot up as much of the moisture as you can and then leave the carpet to air dry.

You can easily get rid of the smell of pet waste with some baking soda. Apply the baking soda to the area and allow it to sit there for around 24 hours. Then, simply vacuum the baking soda up.

Removing Coffee Stains From a Carpet

Begin by blotting up as much of the spilt coffee as you can. Then, create a mixture one part liquid dish soap, one part white vinegar, and four parts warm water. Use a clean, white cloth and dip it in the solution and wring it out. Then, scrub the coffee stain with this mixture.

Be sure to keep wetting the cloth, applying a little bit at a time to the stain. Blot regularly with a dry cloth in between scrubbing until the stain has completely disappeared. Finally, scrub the area with some clean, cold water and blot it dry. Then, leave the carpet to air dry.

Removing Grease Stains From a Carpet

Start by removing as much of the grease solids as you can with a dull knife or spoon. Avoid rubbing the carpet, as this will only push the grease deeper into the fibres and increase the mass of the stain.

Sprinkle a bit of baking soda over the stain to absorb all of the oil and work this into the fibres with an old toothbrush. Leave the baking soda to sit on the stain for a minimum of 15 minutes.

Then, vacuum this powder up. If the stain is still there, repeat the previous steps until the stain is completely removed.

Removing Makeup Stains From a Carpet

If it is a new stain, try to dab up as much of the stain as possible with a clean cloth. Avoid rubbing the stain, as this may push it further into the fibres of the carpet. If there are solids in the stain, try to scoop as much of the solids up as possible before moving on to the next step.

Apply some lukewarm water to the stain and then dab gently with a clean, dry cloth to absorb the water. Then, add some baking soda to the stain and leave it overnight.

The next day, vacuum up the baking soda. Most or all of the stain should come up with the baking soda. If part of the stain remains, repeat the steps above.

You can also use makeup remover to get most makeup stains out of a carpet. Simply soak a towel in makeup remover and lightly dab the stained area. This works best for less stubborn makeup stains.

Removing Wine Stains From a Carpet

Begin by blotting up as much of the wine as possible with a dry, white cloth or a piece of kitchen roll.

Then, you will need to prepare a cleaning solution of one tablespoon of white vinegar, one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, and two cups of warm water.

Pour some of this solution diectly onto the stain and then use a clean, white cloth to blot the stain. Repeat this step until the stain vanishes. Then, allow the carpet to air dry.

It is possible to use white wine to remove a red wine stain. White wine contains an enzyme that helps to neutralise the stain and make it easier to remove.

Simply pour some white wine on your red wine stain and then gently blot using a damp, clean cloth. Once most of the stain is removed, you can then use the white vinegar and dish soap solution method to remove all of the remaining stain.

While white wine can help to make the stain easier to remove, it rarely helps in getting the entire stain up. In most cases, you will need to complete a further cleaning method to get the entire stain up.

Can You Remove Older Stains From a Carpet?

Although it can be quite difficult to remove old stains, it’s not necessarily impossible. The best approach is to rehydrate a set-in stain. Once it’s rehydrated, you can then clean it as if it is a new stain.

Avoid scrubbing the stain, as this can make it even worse. Instead, wet the stain and use a blotting technique.

Use a mixture of one part dish soap, one part white vinegar, and four parts water. Apply this to the stain and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then, blot the stain with clean water and allow it to dry.

If the stain remains, apply some baking soda to the area and leave this to do its magic overnight. Then, vacuum up the baking soda.

If the stain remains, repeat the above steps until it has completely disappeared.

Are There Any Carpet Stains That Cannot Be Removed?

There are no carpet stains that can’t be dealt with. While some may leave some small staining behind, there are things you can do to make a stain seem less visible.

The most difficult carpet stains to deal with are red wine, blood, ink, and cooking oils.

Final Thoughts

There are many common stains that can occur on a carpet. However, with the right treatment, it is possible to get these stains out. No matter what type of stains you’re dealing with, take a look at the guide above to find out the best method to get that particular stain out of your carpet quickly.

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