Carpet Stain Remover Guide
Wine stains. Pet stains. Coffee stains. -- The list goes on as carpet accidents happen in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, Stanley Steemer isn’t always in your living room to clean up the mess on your flooring. That’s why we’re here with this ultimate Carpet Stain Remover Guide to bring quick fixes for your quick messes.
Gotta act fast? Jump to where you need:
- Carpet Cleaning Tips
- How to Get Wine Out of Carpet
- How to Get Pet Urine Out of Carpet
- How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet
- How to Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet
- How to Get Paint Out of Carpet
- How to Get Ink Out of Carpet
- How to Get Mud Out of Carpet
- How to Remove Grease Out of Carpet
- How to Remove Makeup Out of Carpet
Carpet Cleaning Tips
Before spills and messes occur, it’s always good to get into the habit and routine of maintaining your carpet. Following general best practices will make it easier to keep your carpet in its best condition. Check out our expert tips below:
- Vacuum Regularly - Vacuuming regularly can feel inconvenient, but you'll thank yourself in the long run. Vacuuming 1-2 times a week is much more manageable than playing catch up after letting dirt, dust, and dander collect for weeks on end. Avoid this buildup by adding this to your weekly to-do list!
- Clean Up Spills ASAP - Getting to carpet spills right away helps to prevent those spills from turning into lasting stains. If the spill requires expert skills, keep the affected area damp until it can be professionally cleaned.
- Clean Nearby Hard Surfaces Regularly - Regularly clean hard surfaces that transition into the carpet like hardwood or tile and grout. Do so with low residue cleaners and this will help stop messes from transferring over onto your carpet.
- Apply Protectants - Add another layer of protection by using appropriate protective applications. It’s important to make sure the protectant is right for your carpet type. Common carpet protectants include Teflon, Supershield plus, and Scotchgard.
How to Get Wine Out of Carpet
One of the hardest things to get out of our carpet is red wine. Here’s a home remedy that can help you get red wine out of your carpet.
What You’ll Need:
- Clean white towels
- Clear spray bottle
- Baking soda
- Vacuum cleaner
- Water
- Dish Soap
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Spoon
How to Clean:
- Blot - Begin by blotting up as much of the wine as possible before the natural dyes start working their way into the carpet fibers.
- Sprinkle Baking Soda - Sprinkle baking soda onto the area and use as much as you need. The baking soda will help to absorb the wine from the carpet fibers.
- Agitate with Spoon - Using a spoon, agitate the baking soda into the wine spill. As you do this, the baking soda will start to discolor and begin to clump.
- Vacuum & Repeat - Vacuum up the baking soda clumps and repeat this process until the baking soda can’t absorb anymore wine.
- Create a Cleaning Solution - Combine 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap and 2 cups water into a clean, spray bottle. This will help prevent oversaturation by spraying the solution rather than pouring it.
- Spray & Agitate - Spray your cleaning solution onto the affected area and agitate with a spoon. Then, let this sit for 1-2 minutes.
- Blot - Using another fresh, white towel, blot until you no longer see red wine transfer onto your towel.
- Rinse with Water - Flush out the treated area with clean, cold water and blot dry.
- Use Hydrogen Peroxide - Pour hydrogen peroxide into a clear, spray bottle and lightly spray if there is any discoloration leftover. There’s no need to use a bleaching agent on carpet unless there’s a stubborn discoloration that won’t budge.
- Let it Dry - Finally, let the area dry completely before walking on it.
How to Get Pet Urine Out of Carpet
Of course, we love our pets, but pets can leave their fair share of messes. Removing pets stains requires a two-step process. One step is to get rid of the spot and another step is to get rid of odor.
What You’ll Need:
- Clean white towels
- Clear spray bottles
- WaterDish Soap
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- White vinegar
How to Clean:
- Use Hydrogen Peroxide - Start by filling an empty spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide and gently spray the stain. Spray bottles help to not oversaturate the carpet.
- Blot - Using a clean towel, absorb as much of the liquid as you can before it penetrates the carpet pad or subflooring.
- Create a Cleaning Solution - Combine 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap and 2 cups water into a clean, spray bottle.
- Spray & Blot - Spray the affected area and allow it to sit for 1-2 minutes. Then, blot with another fresh, clean towel.
- Rinse with Water - Flush out the treated area with clean, cold water and blot dry.
- Use White Vinegar - Next, flush out the area once more, but this time with white vinegar. Blot up as much of the vinegar as you can.
- Let it Dry - Finally, let the area dry completely before walking on it.
How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet
Coffee is a great pick-me-up. But, when it spills on carpet it’s important to pick it up fast. This is because it’s usually hot, acidic and full of tannins, which can cause it to stain quickly. And, decaf coffee can be even worse.
What You’ll Need:
- Clean white towels
- Clear spray bottles
- Water
- Dish Soap
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Spoon
How to Clean:
- Blot - Start by blotting up as much of the coffee as possible with a clean, absorbent white towel. This allows you to see all of the coffee that’s being absorbed. And because it’s white, it won’t bleed onto your carpet.
- Create a Cleaning Solution - Then, mix a solution using 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap in an empty spray bottle.
- Spray & Agitate - Spray the area with your solution. Next, using your spoon, agitate the area you sprayed. After this, allow the treated carpet to sit for 1-2 minutes.
- Blot - Once again, blot the coffee-spilled area with a fresh towel until you no longer see coffee transfer onto your towel.
- Rinse with Water - Flush the area with clean, cold water and blot it dry.
- Use Hydrogen Peroxide - Pour hydrogen peroxide into a clear, spray bottle and lightly spray if there is any discoloration leftover. There’s no need to use a bleaching agent on carpet unless there’s a stubborn discoloration that won’t budge.
- Let it Dry - Finally, let the area dry completely before walking on it.
How to Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet
Sometimes, a little self-care with painting your nails turns into a home care nightmare! When nail polish spills onto your carpet, don’t panic. Instead, follow these steps on how to get that nail polish out of your carpet:
What You’ll Need:
- Spray bottle
- Water
- Scrub brush
- Rubbing alcohol
- Hairspray
- White Towels
How to Clean:
- Blot - Using a white towel, blot up as much as you can of the nail polish
- Wet Stain - Using cold water, carefully wet the stain and area affected.
- Use Hairspray & Rubbing Alcohol - After wetting the stain, spray 15 to 20 pumps of hairspray onto the carpet. Then add 3 to 5 small amounts of rubbing alcohol to the area as well.
- Agitate with Brush - With a small scrub brush, agitate the nail polish stain for roughly a minute. As you do this, gently start pouring cold water directly onto the stained area.
- Repeat - Repeat these steps until the stain is lifted.
- Blot Dry - After cleaning, blot the carpet dry with a clean, white towel.
How to Get Paint Out of Carpet
Oh no! Whether you’re crafting or redecorating, paint stains are always a pain. For best results, act fast and try these tips on how to get water-based paint out of your carpet.
What You’ll Need:
- White, microfiber towels
- Water
- Dish soap
- Butter knife
- Handheld steamer
How to Clean:
- For Fresh Paint - If the paint stain is still wet, lightly blot with a fresh, clean towel and get all the excess you can.
- For Dry Paint - If the paint has dried onto the carpet, mix hot water and 1/4 teaspoon of dish detergent and pour onto the affected area. Then, let it sit for a minute or two.
- Scrape Stain - After the solution sits, the paint will soften. Take your knife or a similar object to scrape the paint off. As you scrape, continue to add more solution. Be careful to not damage your carpet as you scrape the remnants.
- Use Steamer - If the paint doesn’t soften, use a handheld steamer to soften and once again, scrape the paint with your knife.
- Repeat - Repeat these steps until the paint is lifted.
- Blot Dry - Lastly, blot dry with a clean, white towel.
How to Get Ink Out of Carpet
Ink stains happen when you least expect it -- like your pet chewing on a pen and you don’t notice until it’s too late. No matter the cause, ink spills are a hassle and you shouldn’t waste any time in between cleanup. Use these tips when getting ink out of your carpet.
What You’ll Need:
- White, microfiber towels
- Rubbing alcohol
- Dish soap
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Spoon
How to Clean:
- Blot - Blot up as much of the surface-level ink as possible with your clean, white towel.
- Pour Rubbing Alcohol - Pour rubbing alcohol onto a fresh, clean towel and once again, blot the stain.
- Create Cleaning Solution - Mix 1 teaspoon of dish soap and 2 cups of water into a clear spray bottle.
- Agitate the Stain - After creating the solution, spray the mixture onto the ink stain and agitate with a spoon.
- Blot & Repeat - With another white towel, blot the stain again and repeat the above steps as needed until the ink is lifted.
- Rinse with Water - Flush out the treated area with clean, cold water and blot dry.
How to Get Mud Out of Carpet
It’s easy to track mud into the house, but it’s not always easy to clean up that mud from your carpet. Follow these tips below to remove mud and dirt from your carpet.
What You’ll Need:
- Vacuum
- Water
- Dish Soap
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Clear spray bottle
- White, microfiber towel
How to Clean:
- Let Mud Dry - Before you do anything, let the mud dry.
- Vacuum - Vacuum up as much as you can. The main part of removing any type of soil is to try and vacuum first. This will dislodge excess material. Then, vacuum the area thoroughly to get all the dried up mud you can suction up.
- Create a Cleaning Solution - Mix 1 teaspoon of dish soap and 2 cups of water into a clear spray bottle.
- Spray on Spots - Using the solution, spray on the affected spots.
- Blot & Repeat - With a clean, white towel, blot the mud stains. Continue to spray and blot until the spots are lifted.
- Rinse with Water - Flush out the treated area with clean, cold water and blot dry.
- Use Hydrogen Peroxide - Pour hydrogen peroxide into a clear, spray bottle and lightly spray if there is any discoloration leftover. There’s no need to use a bleaching agent on carpet unless there’s a stubborn discoloration that won’t budge.
How to Remove Grease Out of Carpet
Grease and oil from food is never a good look on any carpet. And, since grease is not water-soluble, it can be tricky to clean up. For an easy guide, check out our tips below on how to remove grease and oil from your carpet:
What You’ll Need:
- White, microfiber towels
- Baking soda
- Spoon
- Vacuum
- Clear spray bottles
- Water
- Dish soap
How to Clean:
- Sprinkle baking soda - Sprinkle baking soda onto the area. Use as much as you need and work it into the carpet using a plastic or metal spoon. The baking soda will start to absorb the grease or oil and gently pull it away from the carpet fibers.
- Vacuum - Once the baking soda begins to clump or discolor, vacuum it up.
- Repeat - Repeat the steps above by sprinkling baking soda and vacuuming until no more oil is absorbed.
- Create Cleaning Solution - Make a cleaning solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of dish soap with 2 cups of water into a clear spray bottle.
- Spray & Agitate - Spray the greased areas with the solution and allow it to sit for 1-2 minutes. While it sits, agitate the area with a spoon.
- Blot - Next, use a dry, white towel to absorb and blot the carpet. Repeat this until no more is absorbed onto the towel.
- Rinse with Water - Lastly, rinse out the other cleaning solutions with clean, cold water and blot the area until it’s dry.
How to Remove Makeup Out of Carpet
If you’ve ever tried to get lipstick or makeup out of carpet, you know how challenging it can be. Here’s an easy home remedy that can help with removing makeup out of carpet!
What You’ll Need:
- Clean white towels
- Clear spray bottles
- Water
- Vacuum
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Ammonia
- Spoon
How to Clean:
- Sprinkle Baking Soda - Sprinkle baking soda onto the area and use as much as you need. The baking soda will help to absorb the makeup from the carpet fibers.
- Agitate with Spoon - Using a spoon, agitate the baking soda into the makeup spill. As you do this, the baking soda will start to discolor and begin to clump as it absorbs the makeup.
- Vacuum & Repeat - Vacuum up the baking soda clumps and repeat this process until the baking soda can’t absorb anymore of the makeup.
- Rinse with Water - Next, flush the treated spot with clean, cold water. Afterward, blot up as much of the excess water as possible with a clean, white towel.
- Create a Cleaning Solution - Mix 4 oz. of white vinegar with 12 oz. of water into a clear spray bottle.
- Spray & Blot - Spray the affected area and let it sit for at least one minute. Then, blot as much as you can with another clean towel.
- Let it Dry - Lastly, let the area completely dry before walking on it.
Are your carpet messes still not budging? Schedule now with Stanley Steemer for an exceptional professional clean!