Types of Carpet Stains

Many stains on your carpet can be cleaned yourself - knowing about the type of stain is the first step in addressing the cleanup.

Water-Soluble Stains

• alcoholic beverages
• berries
• colas
• excrement
• food dyes
• gravy
• ice cream
• jelly
• milk
• mud
• washable ink
• wet or latex paint

Use a simple cleaning solution made up of 1/4 teaspoon of nonbleach detergent (or white vinegar) mixed with 32 ounces of water.

 

Special Water-Soluble Stains

• blood
• chocolate
• coffee
• mustard
• tea
• vomit
• wine

Try 1 tablespoon of ammonia mixed with 1 cup of water (but not on wool or wool-blend carpet; instead use mild detergent and water). If that doesn't work, you can try one part chlorine bleach to five parts water, but only on solution-dyed carpets, such as polypropylene. Bleach will harm other types of carpets; check with the manufacturer if you are unsure what type of carpet you have.

 

Fat, Oil, and Wax

Place a paper towel over the carpet and iron on warm setting. The wax, fat, or oil should come up off the carpet and stick to the paper towel.

 

Cigarette Burns

These can be removed by gently rubbing the pile with the edge of a hard and flat surface, such as a dull knife.

 

Glue

Moisten a cotton ball or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol and press it on the affected area. Once the glue residue is thoroughly moistened, gently wipe it off and repeat until the carpet is clean.

 

Wax and Gum

Use ice to freeze the wax or gum, then shatter it with a blunt object, such as a spoon. Vacuum before the pieces soften, and blot the carpet with a white towel.

 

Nail Polish

Blot the area with a rag dipped in nail polish remover.  

Urine

Absorb as much as possible with white towels, then blot with a damp, cool cloth. Next, spray or blot with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water. Finally, apply a solution of 1/2 teaspoon of clear, mild, nonbleach detergent mixed with 32 ounces of water, rinse, and blot dry. If the urine was the result of a dog's accident, you may also want to try a housebreaking aid such as No-Go.