How to Get Every Type of Stain Out of Carpet, From Coffee and Wine to Wax
Treat frequent spills and stains with our expert techniques.
Liudmila Chernetska
The carpets in every room of your home take a beating: dirt and mud in the foyer, spilled food in the dining room, wine splashes next to the sofa—the list of possible messes goes on and on. And while the basic techniques for spot cleaning carpets are generally similar—remove the excess spill, blot with a mild cleaner, rinse, dry—the specifics vary based on the type of stain you're dealing with. Tackle every spill, from chocolate to candle wax, with these expert tips for getting common stains out of your carpet.
Meet the Expert
Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company, a professional cleaning company that offers its services both residentially and commercially.
Kathy Cohoon, the director of franchise operations for the cleaning company Two Maids
Related: How to Clean Your Carpet the Right Way
How to Remove Wine Stains From Carpet
It's important to act quickly when treating a wine stain to prevent it from setting in. For fresh stains, club soda should do the trick. But for tough or set-in stains, try using a mixture of dish soap and white vinegar, says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.
Fresh Wine Stains
Liudmila Chernetska
Follow these steps to remove fresh wine stains from carpet:
Blot the wine spill immediately with a microfiber cloth to absorb the moisture before it sets.
Pour club soda on the stain and blot again, repeating this process as needed. Blot the carpet dry.
Set-In Wine Stains
Follow these steps for removing set-in wine stains from carpet:
Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and 2 cups water.
Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and blot the stain, repeating this process as needed.
Use cold water to rinse the mixture from the carpet and blot dry.
How to Remove Chocolate Stains From Carpet
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How you treat chocolate stains depends on whether the chocolate is still wet or has dried, says Kathy Cohoon, operations manager at Two Maids.
Fresh Chocolate Stains
Follow these steps to remove fresh chocolate stains from carpet:
Use a microfiber cloth to blot the excess chocolate.
Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap with 2 cups water.
Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and blot the stain, repeating this process as needed.
Use cold water to rinse the mixture from the carpet and blot dry.
Set-In Chocolate Stains
Follow these steps to remove dried chocolate stains from carpet:
Remove as much excess chocolate as possible with a spoon or butter knife.
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar.
Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and blot the stain, repeating this process as needed.
Use cold water to rinse the mixture from the carpet and blot dry.
How to Remove Coffee Stains From Carpet
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If you spilled some of your morning coffee on your carpet, don't worry. These stains are easy to treat with a combination of dish soap, white vinegar, and water, says Mock.
Mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and 2 cups water.
Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and blot the stain, repeating this process as needed.
If the stain remains, apply an enzyme detergent to break down the stickiness.
Use cold water to rinse the mixture from the carpet and blot dry.
How to Remove Dirt Stains From Carpet
Dirt is easily tracked into the home from shoes, pets, and more. If you notice dirt stains on your carpet, remove them with a simple mixture of vinegar and water.
Vacuum your carpet to get rid of any loose dirt.
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar.
Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and blot the stain, repeating this process as needed.
Use cold water to rinse the mixture from the carpet and blot dry.
How to Remove Mud Stains From Carpet
When removing mud stains from carpet, avoid rubbing, as this can push the debris deeper into the carpet fibers, says Cohoon. Always work from the outside of the stain toward the center to prevent spreading.
Blot the mud stain with a clean cloth to remove as much of the stain as you can.
Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap with 2 cups water.
Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and blot the stain, repeating this process as needed.
Use cold water to rinse the mixture from the carpet and blot dry.
Related: How to Remove Candle Wax Stains From Any Surface
How to Remove Candle Wax Stains From Carpet
The method you use when removing candle wax stains from carpet depends on whether the wax is hardened or still wet, according to Cohoon.
Fresh Candle Wax Stains
Follow these steps to remove fresh candle wax stains from carpet:
Scrape still-liquid candle wax off the carpet with a butter knife or spoon.
Put a cloth over the wax stain.
Use a warm iron with a low setting, and press it on top. The wax should stick to the cloth. Repeat until the stain is gone.
Hardened Candle Wax Stains
Follow these steps to remove hardened candle wax stains from carpet:
Place a bag of ice cubes over the spill until it becomes solid.
Scrape off as much of the stain as possible using a spoon or butter knife.
Blot the stain with a soft cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Use cold water to rinse the mixture from the carpet and blot dry.
Related: Martha's Quick Tip for Removing a Fresh Oil Stain From Clothing Is Genius
How to Remove Grease Stains From Carpet
Whether fresh or set in, grease stains can be difficult to remove. But with a few common household materials, you'll be able to get these unsightly spots out of your carpet in no time.
Fresh Grease Stains
Follow these steps to remove fresh grease stains from carpet:
Blot excess grease with a microfiber cloth.
Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the stain.
Let sit for about 15 to 20 minutes then vacuum the carpet.
Set-In Grease Stains
Follow these steps for removing set-in grease stains from carpet:
Remove dried grease with a spoon or butter knife.
Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap with 2 cups water.
Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and blot the stain, repeating this process as needed.
Use cold water to rinse the mixture from the carpet and blot dry.
Related: 14 Cleaning Tips Every Pet Owner Should Know
How to Remove Pet Messes From Carpet
Pet messes happen. But you want to be sure to treat them quickly so the odors don't set in. If the odors don't budge, Mock recommends calling a professional carpet cleaner.
Soak up as much of the stain as possible with a damp microfiber towel.
Use cool water to rinse the stain, then continue to blot.
Apply a pet enzyme cleaner to prevent the stain and odor from setting in.
Blot the stain and let air dry.
How to Remove Blood Stains From Carpet
Blood stains can be tricky to get out of carpet, but Mock recommends using hydrogen peroxide to break up and lift the spot.
Pour cold water over the stain.
Use a microfiber cloth and blot the stain to remove as much of it as possible.
Apply 3 percent hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain and blot with a microfiber cloth.
Use cold water to rinse the mixture from the carpet and let air dry.
Read the original article on Martha Stewart.
