15 Ways to Remove Difficult Stains from Your Carpet

Coffee. Red wine. Chocolate. Gravy. Ice cream. The list goes on. What do all these things have in common? They all stain the carpet! Keeping your carpet clean is easier than you think.

Read on to find 15 tips and tricks to help you remove tough stains from your carpet.

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 spilt 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, making the rest of the stain removal process easier. Be sure to blot carefully, not scrub, as the stain can spread or be pushed 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 cup of vinegar with 1 part water, then pour 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 the simplest things can yield the best results for tough stains.

3. Use a carpet shampoo

If you have a carpet shampoo or stain remover already at home, try using it to remove coffee stains from the carpet. 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.

Traditional home-made solutions for tough carpet stains

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 much of the stain, making it easier for you to finish with 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 you use a non-bleach, 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 with water, then a dry one to absorb as much humidity as possible. Leave until completely dry. Another variation of this solution is to mix 2 cups of warm water with 1 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 with 3 parts cold water, then set it aside. Use a clean cloth to remove as much of the stain as you can, and when no more comes out, apply the baking soda mixture to the stain. Leave it until it dries, and then use your vacuum to remove what’s left of the stain.

8. Hydrogen Peroxide and baking soda

Spray the stained area with hydrogen peroxide, then pour a small amount of baking soda 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 1-2 minutes, then use a dry, clean cloth or 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 it to 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 to pour some white wine over a red wine stain and blot with a clean cloth while the stain is still wet, which might actually help.

13. Another liquid detergent solution

Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of liquid detergent in 1 cup of warm water. Use a clean, dry cloth or a sponge mop to gently scrub the stained area. 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 paste, then add warm water as needed to thin it. Dip a sponge or a clean cloth into water and gently scrub the stain to blot it up.

15.Hire a carpet cleaner from HSS

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

If the stain has already dried into the carpet fibres, try brushing it out with a carpet brush after adding the shampoo.

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

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