Getting Stains Out of Carpet: Tried and True Methods From the Professionals
Does your heart plummet when your child’s popsicle slides off the stick and onto the floor or a pen suddenly bursts and smears ink all over the carpet? Food dyes and ink can leave some of the most worrisome stains, and you might not have a remedy that works effectively up your sleeve.
Don’t let spills and stains trouble you. All you need are some tips suited specifically to the types of stains you might encounter, and you’ll be ready to tackle anything that lands on your floor.
Tidy Up Portland! shares here the procedures you can follow to keep stains from becoming permanent and what you can do to ensure your carpet is the cleanest it can be.
Table of Contents
How To Get Stains Out of Carpet
Generally, regardless of the type of stain, you’ll follow the same method for removal:
Remove excess material as quickly as possible to keep the stain from becoming permanent. Scrape the material with a spoon or dull knife if it is solid. If it’s liquid, blot it up with an absorbent, white cloth from the outside edge of the spill toward the inside.
Apply a solution to the stain. This might be just water, a homemade vinegar solution, or a carpet stain remover. Use a damp cloth to transfer the solution to the carpet to avoid overwetting the spot. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Dry the stain. Using a clean white cloth, blot the stain with cold water first, then blot it dry. To dry most thoroughly, place a ½”-thick layer of paper towels weighed down with something heavy, like books. Allow it to sit overnight.
Tidy Up Portland! Is prepared to tackle any stain you may have in your carpet. Call us today to schedule a carpet cleaning or any other home care needs that are pressing on you right now.
Materials You Might Need
The following materials will help remove stains from carpet:
Soft-bristled scrub brush
Microfiber cloths
Vacuum
Bowl of water
Carpet stain remover (specific to your stain or homemade – vinegar, water, and dish soap)
5 Specific Tips for Removing the Most Common Carpet Stains
#1: How To Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet
As with other stains, first blot as much of the coffee as possible without spreading the stain.
Apply one of the following homemade solutions to the stain by dabbing with a rag and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. You might need to work it in slightly with your fingers, but don’t rub.
1 cup hydrogen peroxide with ½ teaspoon dish soap
2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide with 1 tablespoon dish soap
Rinse the stain with water.
Use a clean towel or cloth to dry the coffee, solution, and water. If possible, use a wet/dry vacuum to remove all of the liquid.
#2: How To Get Blood Stains Out of Carpet
How you approach blood stains depends on whether the blood has dried or not. If it is still wet, blot with a clean cloth dampened with cold water or club soda until the stain is gone.
If the stain is dry, break it up gently with a soft brush. Then use one of two methods to remove the stain.
The first method:
Mix two cups of water with 1 tablespoon dish soap and blot the stain with a white cloth soaked in this solution until the liquid is absorbed. You may need to repeat this step.
If the stain is still there, mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia with ½ cup water. Blot the stain as above.
Rinse with water and blot dry with a clean cloth.
The second method:
After testing in an inconspicuous area of your carpet first and confirming that no color change happens, apply hydrogen peroxide carefully to the stain using a cotton swab.
Rinse the stain with water and blot dry.
#3: How To Get Paint Stains Out of Carpet
How you remove paint from carpet depends on whether it is water-based or oil-based, and wet or dry.
For wet water-based paint:
Use a putty knife to scrape off as much excess paint as possible.
Spray warm water on the stain.
Make a solution composed of a 1:1 ratio of water and dish soap. Dip a white cloth or paper towels into the solution and blot the stain.
Spray more warm water onto the stain to rinse it and blot dry.
For wet oil-based paint:
Follow the first two steps for removing wet water-based paint.
Instead of using a water/soap solution, apply paint thinner or turpentine with a wet sponge or cloth. Do this carefully to avoid spreading the stain, and continue blotting until no more paint is removed.
Make a solution of ¼ teaspoon of dish soap and 1 cup of warm water. Dip a white cloth or sponge into the solution and blot the stain.
Spray warm water onto the stain to rinse it and blot dry.
For dry water-based or oil-based paint:
Wearing gloves, use your fingers to break up the dried paint.
Carefully scrape off as much dried paint as possible with a putty knife.
Apply paint thinner or turpentine with a sponge or white cloth, blotting to remove paint.
Spray warm water onto the area to rinse it and blot dry.
#4: How To Get Red Wine Stains Out of Carpet
Blot the stain with a towel, rag, or paper towel to absorb excess wine.
Prepare a solution of 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and ½ teaspoon of dish soap. Apply it to the stain and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
Use a clean white towel to absorb the stain and the solution.
Dry using a wet/dry vacuum or paper towels weighed down with something heavy.
#5: How To Get Tough Stains Out of Carpet
If you want to know the best way to get stains out of carpet, the answer will depend on the kind of stain. Tougher stains require a bit more effort to remove.
Some common tough stains are from ink and pet urine. The earlier you can attend to the stain, the more likely you will prevent it from becoming permanent. In either case, first blot the material to remove the excess. Particularly with ink, don’t press so hard that you force the ink deeper into the carpet.
Next, follow these steps for each type of stain:
Ink:
Soak with alcohol for five minutes. Be sure it covers the stain but doesn’t sink more than ½” into the carpet.
Massage gently with an old toothbrush.
Repeat these steps until the ink disappears.
Vacuum with a wet/dry vacuum.
Pet urine:
Prepare a solution of one quart of warm water and a teaspoon of non-bleach laundry detergent.
Let it sit for 5 minutes before blotting up the excess solution.
Mix 1 quart of water with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Apply this to the stain to remove the odor.
Blot up excess moisture. Then place a towel on the spot weighed down with heavy items for at least 30 minutes.
For other tough stains, such as candle wax, different measures may be necessary. Tidy Up Portland! can advise you on them all. Check out our customer reviews to learn how our service is unparalleled in the Portland area.
Addressing the Most Common Concerns About Getting Stains Out of Carpet
Does Vinegar and Baking Soda Remove Old Stains From Carpet?
Yes. Vinegar should be included in your homemade cleaner (and dish soap) and left to dry completely on stains. Baking soda can sit on stains for 12-24 hours. It’s better to leave it on too long than too briefly.
What Is the Best Homemade Carpet Stain Remover?
The best carpet stain remover that you can make at home contains equal parts water and vinegar and a bit of dish soap. This versatile solution can clean just about anything in your home, including your bathroom and shower, kitchen counters, and floors.
How Do You Get Stains Out of Carpet That Have Been Dried?
If you’re unsure of what the stain is made of, an all-purpose cleaner (or a homemade version using equal amounts of water and vinegar and a bit of dish soap) should work. Sprinkle baking soda over the stain, then spray the mixture. Wait for it to dry, then vacuum.
Let the Professionals at Tidy Up Portland! Handle Your Home Cleaning Needs
Tidy Up Portland! is an excellent choice for professional house cleaning in Portland. We can clean your carpets and provide thorough home care, as your need dictates. Choose from several options to ensure regular, timely, and expert house cleaning.
Our trusted, rigorously trained employees will refresh your home space with our reliable, high-quality work to ensure you are pleased with the result. Scheduling and paying for your cleaning are fast and simple with our online portal.
Call us today to learn more about our process and become one of our valued clients.
