How to Remove Liquid Carpet Stains
Cleaning Wet Spots and Spills from Carpeting and Rugs
Oct 16, 2008
Carpeting is a big investment, and constant care is needed to keep it looking like new. This is always true, but it can be uniquely important when money is tight.
In tough economic times, many people are unable to spend money on new flooring. Many others are facing difficulties selling the home in which they live. This makes it especially important to keep carpets in good shape to make them last and keep a home looking fresh and clean.
General Carpet Stain Removal Information
- For spills on carpeting, acting quickly is essential.
- Liquid stains should be blotted, rather than rubbed. Rubbing works stains in further and may harm the carpet.
- Using clean white rags for blotting, working from the outside edge of the spot toward the center is effective.
Once as much of the liquid is absorbed as possible, the following tips may help remove any remaining mess.
Homemade and Commercial Spot Removers for Liquid Carpet Spills
- A general carpet stain-removal formula is provided in the book Making A Home: “Stir one teaspoon of liquid dish detergent into a quart of warm water. Add ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar.” Dishwasher detergent should not be used, as this can harm carpet. The book recommends allowing this solution to soak into a stain for 10 minutes before blotting.
- Another all-purpose homespun solution recommended by the Carpet and Rug Institute is one part white vinegar to two parts water. For a small stain, this would mean one cup vinegar mixed with two cups of water. This solution can be mixed in advance, labeled, and stored in a spray bottle for quick action when a spill happens.
Over-wetting the carpet with any cleaner should be avoided, to avoid damaging carpet backing.
How to Remove Wine and Juice from Carpet
Spritzing a fresh spill with club soda is a tried-and-true remedy. Once the spot is spritzed, the method is to blot the spill (without rubbing) and then repeat until the stain disappears.
Soft Drink Stains
White vinegar works well in removing soda spills, using the vinegar in the same fashion as the club soda is used for wine and juice.
Another method for soft drink stains is to use the general stain-removal formula listed above.
Removing Coffee or Tea Spills
One method for conquering coffee and tea spills is to blot, apply the detergent solution above, and rinse and repeat. If the stain is not removed, a commercial product may be needed.
Treating Blood Stains on Carpet
Blood stains should be rinsed immediately with cold water (hot water sets the stain) or club soda and blotted. This should be repeated until the stain is removed, as dried blood is difficult to remove.
Treating Pet Stains
Pet supply stores carry special enzymatic cleaners that not only remove stains, but may also discourage pets from making repeat messes in the same spot. The vinegar and water mixture above has a similar effect.
Oil Spills
Covering liquid oil spills with baking soda is an effective treatment. The soda is left to soak up the oil and then vacuumed up. Any remaining stain should be treated with a commercial spot cleaner, rinsed, and then blotted dry.
Removing Stubborn Stains
Sometimes carpet stains and spots may not respond to home removal efforts. In these cases, hiring a commercial carpet cleaning service company may be necessary. It is worth the extra cost to save the bigger investment of the home carpet.
Resources:
- Better Homes and Gardens: Making A Home: Housekeeping for Real Life: Better Homes and Gardens Books, Meredith Corp., 2001.
