Coffee or tea spilled on the carpet

Cleaning and Maintenance

15 Ways to Remove Difficult Stains From Your Carpet

Updated - October 17th 2023

We know the feeling. You've just sat down for the evening with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and you accidentally drop it on your cream carpet. Your once spotlessly clean carpet is now stained.


If you need to get stains out of a carpet, don't panic. Here at HSS, we have a range of cleaning equipment ready to be hired whenever you need it.


Here at HSS, we have put together 15 top tips & pieces of advice about removing tough stains from your carpet. Whether that's with carpet stain remover, home remedies or a professional carpet cleaner, you'll find a method that works for you.

Simple steps for removing stubborn stains from carpets

1. Blot up the stain to remove excess liquid


The first thing to do when a glass of red wine or a cup of hot chocolate is spilled over your carpet is to get a clean, soft cloth or paper towel and gently blot up as much of the stain as you can. An absorbent paper towel will instantly remove some of the wet stain to make the rest of the stain removal process easier. Be sure to blot carefully and not scrub as the stain can spread more or get pushed it further down into the carpet’s fibres. Also avoid using hot water as this can disperse the stain and make it much worse.


2. Gently rinse the accident spot


Mix ¼ of vinegar to 1 part of water & add the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray over the area then cover with an absorbent towel or kitchen paper. Apply some weight on top (you can use heavy books or a table) & leave for 6-8 hours and repeat if necessary. This is not the most effective solution for all cases, but sometimes it’s the simplest things that can get the best results for tough stains.


3. Use a carpet shampoo


If you have a carpet shampoo or stain remover already at home, try to remove the stain using them. If you don't have a special shampoo to hand, combine a couple of drops of dish soap or laundry detergent with a cup of water. If the stain has already dried into the carpet fibres, try brushing it out with a carpet brush once the shampoo has been added. 

Traditional home-made solutions for tough carpet stains

Mud soil marks stains on the carpet

4. Pour some salt on your carpet’s wound


This is a trick that never gets old. If the stain is still wet, pour some salt on it to cover it completely. Leave until the stain dries and then vacuum. The salt will have absorbed a big part of the stain, making it easier for you to finish off using a carpet cleaner or one of the following methods. 


5. The vinegar and liquid detergent solution


Use a mixture of ¼ warm water, 1⁄2 teaspoon of liquid detergent and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Make sure that you use a non-bleach and non-alkaline detergent. Dip a clean, absorbent cloth or a sponge into the mixture and blot up the stain. At the end, use a wet cloth to rinse off with water and a dry one to absorb as much of the humidity as possible. Leave until completely dry. Another variation of this solution is mixing 2 cups of warm water with a cup of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of dish soap. You can try both and see which one has the best results on your carpet.


6. Soda Water


Pour some soda water on the stain and leave it for 15 -30 minutes. Use a damp cloth, a sponge or even an old toothbrush to get the stain out. This method (along with the vinegar trick) is good for removing bad stains like coffee stains and blood stains.


7. Baking soda and water


If you don't have soda water at home, you can make your own. Mix 1 part baking soda to 3 parts cold water and set to the side. Use a clean cloth to remove as much of the stain as you can and when no more of it comes out, apply the baking soda mixture on the stain. Leave until it dries and then use your vacuum to remove what’s left of the stain.


8. Hydrogen Peroxide and baking soda


Spray over the stained area with hydrogen peroxide and then pour a small quantity of baking soda - enough to cover the area. Leave for 4 to 5 minutes and then remove with a wet cloth.


9. Hydrogen Peroxide and soap

Mix 1 part of hydrogen peroxide with 1 part of liquid soap - make sure it is suitable for use on fabrics. Put the mixture over the stained area. Wait for 1-2 minutes and then use a dry, clean cloth or a sponge to gently rub the stain away until it is removed.


10. Beer over coffee


It may sound unusual but if you accidentally spill coffee or tea on your carpet, pour a small quantity of beer on the stain. Leave for 2-3 minutes & rub it off lightly with a soft cloth or an old toothbrush.


11. Ammonia


Dilute ½ cup of ammonia in 1 litre of warm water, apply on the stain and let it dry. If the stain is not removed completely, repeat once more.


12. White wine on red wine


Another unusual solution is pouring some white wine over a red wine stain and blotting with a clean cloth when the stain is still wet might actually help.


13. Another liquid detergent solution


Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of liquid detergent to 1 cup of warm water. Use a clean dry cloth or a sponge mop to gently scrub the area that is stained. If the results are not as you expected, alter the proportion slightly (try ½ teaspoon of detergent to 1 cup of water). When it’s dry, use your vacuum to remove any residue.


14. More vinegar solutions


Mix vinegar and baking soda in equal proportions to form a thick mixture and then add as much warm water as needed to turn into a thin liquid. Dip a sponge or a clean cloth and scrub gently on the stain to blot it up.

15.Hire a carpet cleaner from HSS

Whether you have to deal with a persistent stain on your carpet or you just realised that you have neglected it for too long, hiring a carpet cleaner to deep clean your carpets is always the best move to get them to look as good as new!


Below you can watch our instructional video on how to use a carpet cleaner to deep clean your carpets but also your sofas or any other soft furniture!

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By viewing the video, you agree to a data transmission to Youtube.The data processing by Youtube is governed by their privacy policy.More Information


Additional tips for removing stains effectively

  • It’s always more effective to deal with a stain immediately, before it dries
  • Always test any mixture or product in a hidden area of your carpet to make sure that it won’t leave a stain or lead to discolouration
  • Don’t over scrub your carpet when trying to clean a spot. This way the carpet’s fibres are destroyed
  • Avoid circular motions as you may end up spreading the stain in a wider area
  • Work from the outside of a stain inwards to avoid spreading
  • Don’t use more water than is actually needed to rinse as you risk ending up with a mouldy carpet and a weird smell
  • Do not alter the recommended proportions for each mixture
  • Always follow the safety instructions on cleaning fluids, detergents and cleaning machines
  • You can speed up the drying process by using a hairdryer or hiring an air mover for fast drying
  • If you are dealing with an old, solid stain, you can use a blunt knife to scrape up the excess. Make sure you're being gentle with scraping so you don't destroy your carpet’s fibres
Author - Marcin Haraszczuk

About the Author

Marcin Haraszczuk

Marcin is a member of our E-Commerce Team. He mixes creative flair with analytical thinking, has a knack for DIY and is always seeking ways to broaden and share his knowledge.

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