How to Get Stains Out of Carpet

Important: NEVER use warm water.

1. Use cold water or club soda.
2. Blot gently.
3. Mix 1 teaspoon of dish soap with cold water if needed.
4. Blot until the stain fades.

Chocolate melts. It gets messy fast.

Here's what to do:

1. Scrape off solid and hardened pieces.
2. If melted, put ice cubes in a bag and place on the stain.
3. Once hard, scrape again.
4. Mix dish soap + warm water.
5. Blot gently.

Coffee is dramatic. It leaves brown rings like it signed its name.

1. Blot up excess liquid immediately.
2. Mix 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap with 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 2 cups of warm water.
3. Apply the solution and let it sit for a few seconds.
4. Gently work it in with a clean cloth and blot.
5. Rinse with cool water and blot dry.
6. Repeat if needed.

Tip: For set-in stains, repeat and finish with a light sprinkle of baking soda once damp.

Kool-Aid contains strong dyes that penetrate carpet fibers quickly.

Mud is sneaky.

Rule #1: Let it dry first!

If you touch it while wet, it spreads.

Once dry:

1. Scrape off chunks.
2. Vacuum.
3. Use dish soap + water + vinegar mix.
4. Blot.

1. Put ice in a sealed plastic bag.
2. Lay over wax until hardened.
3. Gently break and chip off as much wax as possible.
4. Vacuum pieces.
5. Dab with rubbing alcohol.

If wax remains after freezing, follow the steps below to reheat it, then repeat the process.

1. Place a brown paper bag over the remaining wax.
2. Press with a medium-warm iron.
3. Move to clean sections of the bag as the wax absorbs, so you don't redeposit and stain the carpet.
4. Repeat with new bags until no residue remains.

Remember, be patient and avoid overheating the carpet fibers.

1. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain.
2. Let it sit 6 hours (yes, really).
3. Vacuum thoroughly.
4. Blot with rubbing alcohol.

Mustard contains dyes that penetrate deeply.

Step 1:

• Scrape away excess mustard.
• Mix ¼ teaspoon dishwashing detergent with ½ cup warm water.
• Blot using a clean towel.
• Blot dry.

Step 2 (If Needed):

• Mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water.
• Blot.
• Rinse with clean water.
• Blot dry.

Do NOT use laundry detergent, as it may bleach carpet colors.
Rinse between different cleaning solutions to avoid chemical reactions.

Do this fast:

1. Spray club soda.
2. Blot with a microfiber cloth.
3. Cover with baking soda paste (3:1 baking soda to water).
4. Repeat.

The fizzing action helps lift the color.

1. Put ice cubes in a sealed plastic bag.
2. Lay the bag on the gum.
3. Wait about 30 minutes for the gum to fully freeze.
4. Break and gently chip away the gum pieces.
5. Vacuum.
6. Use dry-solvent cleaner if needed.

If residue remains, apply lemon juice or a citrus cleaner to break down stickiness.

This one's important, especially if you have pets.

1. Blot thoroughly first.
2. Apply an enzymatic cleaner (designed for pet odors).
3. Let it sit per product instructions.
4. Blot and air dry.

Enzymes are tiny helpers that eat the smell-causing stuff. Regular cleaners only hide the smell. Enzymes destroy it.

Important: Avoid steam cleaning before odor removal, as it can permanently set the smell.

• Spray with hairspray or
• Blot carefully with rubbing alchol.

Use minimal liquid and blog gently to prevent spreading.

1. Blot, don't smear.
2. Apply rubbing alcohol with a clean cloth.
3. Blot gently.
4. Rinse and dry.

Found a stain but don't know what it is?

No problem. Try this:

1. Equal parts water + vinegar
2. A little dish soap
3. Sprinkle baking soda
4. Spray mixture on top
5. Let dry completely.

Vacuum.

Still there? It may need professional help.