How to Remove Stains from Carpet – Cleaning Expert Tips
Spills do, after all, happen. Carpets and rugs are accident magnets, whether it’s a spilled cup of coffee, a magic marker mishap, or muddy paw prints. Fortunately, there is a homemade carpet cleaning method for almost any messes, and the best part is that they don’t call for specialised sprays or solvents from the store. You can make your own carpet cleaner to remove any stain with just a few basic ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Identifying whether your carpet is made of synthetic or natural fibres is the first step. Then read our guide below to learn which mix of ingredients is best for your particular stain and carpet type. If you strictly abide by these instructions for making homemade carpet cleaners, your rug will be on its way to being stain-free once again. (Until the next mess, at least.) DIY Carpet Cleaning Methods Use a white cloth dipped in these homemade carpet cleaners to spot-clean synthetic rugs. Never apply the solutions straight to carpeting. Spray the stain with a little of these natural fibre carpet cleaning solutions (without the solvent). 1. Detergent Carpet Cleaner For synthetic carpets: Mix ¼ teaspoon of a translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into one cup of lukewarm water. For natural fiber carpets: Mix one teaspoon of translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into 1 cup of lukewarm water. 2. Vinegar Carpet Cleaner For synthetic carpets: Mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups of water. For natural fiber carpets: Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar with ¼ cup of water. 3. Solvent Carpet Cleaner Use an oil solvent. Or substitute nail polish remover, such as Cutex Quick & Gentle non-acetone polish remover. 4. Ammonia Carpet Cleaner For natural fiber carpets only: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with ½ cup of lukewarm water. How to Remove Food and Drink Stains From Carpets Synthetic fiber carpets and rugs Follow the instructions below to treat wine, ketchup, chocolate, coffee, tea, beer, milk, tomato sauce, berries, hard candy, juice, soda, Gatorade, and Kool-Aid stains: Dip a white cloth (or a white paper towel with no printing) into the homemade detergent solution for synthetic carpets and dab repeatedly. Then, press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait 15 minutes (it takes time to break down the stain), then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth. Dip a cloth into the vinegar solution for synthetic carpets and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait another 15 minutes. (This is an important step, because white vinegar removes residual detergent, which will attract dirt if left on the carpet.) Rinse by blotting with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Wait one hour or until the carpet dries completely. For bad spills, place a half-inch-thick stack of white paper towels over the stain after step 2, then lay a glass baking dish on top for 15 minutes. As long as you see the stain lightening, repeat these steps until it is gone. Natural fiber carpets and rugs Follow the instructions below to treat beer, coffee, and tea stans with your DIY carpet stain remover: Spray the stain with the homemade detergent solution for natural fiber carpets, then blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the stain with vinegar solution for natural fiber carpets, then blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the stain with detergent solution for natural fiber carpets, then blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until the stain is removed. For hard candy, chocolate, berries, juice, wine, soda, and milk stains: Follow steps 1 through 5 (above), but before applying the vinegar solution in step 2, spray the stain with the ammonia solution for natural fiber carpets, then blot with a dry white cloth. For ketchup, Gatorade, Kool-Aid, and tomato sauce stains: Follow steps 1 trhough 5 (above), but substitute the ammonia solution for the vinegar one in step 2. How to Remove Oil and Grease Stains From Carpets Follow the instructions below to treat butter, salad dressing, cheese, eggnog, cooking oil, tree sap, crayons, lotion, mascara, lipstick, and nail polish stains with your homemade carpet stain remover. Synthetic fiber carpets and rugs Apply a small amount of homemade carpet cleaning solvent to a white cloth. Dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Rinse by blotting with a white cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Wait one hour or until the carpet completely dries. If the stain is getting lighter, repeat until the stain is removed. Natural fiber carpets and rugs Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth. Wait one hour or until the carpet completely dries. If the stain is getting lighter, repeat these steps until it is gone. How to Remove Dirt and Mud From Carpets Synthetic fiber carpets and rugs Vacuum any dry dirt to remove as much as possible. Dip a white cloth into the detergent solution for synthetic fiber carpets and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth. Dip another dry white cloth in lukewarm water and dab repeatedly. Then, press it on the spot for a few seconds. Natural fiber carpets and rugs Vacuum any dry dirt to remove as much as possible. Spray the stain with the detergent solution for natural fiber carpets, then blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the stain with the vinegar solution for natural fiber carpets, then blot with a dry white cloth. Reapply the detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the stain with lukewarm
