If there’s one thing that can complete the look of a room and provide extra warmth and softness, it’s the carpet. Unfortunately, carpets tend to accumulate debris and dust due to their placement and purpose.  

Moreover, carpets also have a fair share of stains here and there. Whether it’s a marker mishap, an errant cup of coffee, or those muddy paws, carpets are always victims of accidents and spills.  

To help homeowners facing ugly stains on their carpets, this article shares effective methods to help remove stains from carpet.  

Hire Professionals 

The easiest and best way to remove stubborn stains is to call the experts. While some homeowners prefer a DIY route, there are specific circumstances where calling an expert carpet cleaner makes sense.  

For instance, if you have significant spills on a large area of your carpet, calling an expert can help you save time and money than doing it on your own. Also, if a major water disaster occurs and affects your carpet, the professionals have better experience and knowledge when it comes to drying out, cleaning, and restoring your water-damaged carpets.  

Generally, the best carpet cleaning service has the necessary equipment and training to efficiently and quickly clean your carpets. Also, they can help repair any potential damage and restore your carpets to their former beauty and fluffiness.  

Remove Stains from Carpet with Common Household Supplies

For minor and occasional stains and accidents, there are several common household supplies that you can use to clean and deodorize your carpet. Generally, most of these items are already available in your kitchen.  

Please note that while these ingredients can be used on their own, you may get more effective results if you combine them. Here are cleaning ingredients you can use: 

Baking Soda 

Baking soda is an all-rounder kitchen ingredient and can be used for cooking and cleaning. This kitchen staple is quite effective as a stain remover and helps absorb liquid stains. What’s more, baking soda also has deodorizing qualities. Sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda over your carpet and leaving it for hours or overnight can help remove unwanted smells from your carpets. Make sure to vacuum your carpet after removing the powder.  

Vinegar 

Vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent if there’s an ugly stain or musty odor on your carpet. It has powerful deodorizing properties that eliminate stains and foul smells on fabric surfaces.  

Mixing equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, you can use it to spritz the affected area and let it air-dry. While vinegar may have a strong acidic scent, it will soon disappear as the mixture dries with stains and foul odors. If you want to double the cleaning power, spray the vinegar solution after sprinkling baking soda on your carpet.  

Alcohol 

For oily stains on your carpet, rubbing alcohol can help break down grease and oils, making cleaning easier. It also helps disinfect the area, killing germs and bacteria on the surface. Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and spray it on the stained area. Leave it for a few minutes and gently blot the area with a damp cloth. Let the area dry and repeat blotting until the oil stain is removed.  

Dish Soap 

For fresh stains, quick washing using dish soap can help eliminate deeper stains. Apply dishwashing soap to the stain. Using a damp cloth, gently rub the affected area until the stain is gone. Then, blot the area with a damp cloth to remove soap and bubbles. Leave the site to dry.  

Hydrogen Peroxide 

Tannin stains left by spilled coffee, tea, fruit juice, cola drinks, and wine can be banished using hydrogen peroxide. After blotting the area with a damp cloth, applying hydrogen peroxide to the stained area can help remove residue and stains. Leave the solution for a few seconds and gently rub it with your fingers until the stains are gone. Then, rinse the area with water. If you want more cleaning action, mix one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with ½ tablespoon of dishwashing soap.  

Buy A Carpet Shampoo 

If the above household items were ineffective or your carpet has persistent stains and odor, you’ll need to do a deep clean using a carpet cleaner. This carpet cleaning supply can be bought at any home improvement store.  

Take note that a carpet cleaner is commonly used in conjunction with a carpet cleaning machine, which looks like a vacuum cleaner. You can rent one from the local hardware store if you don’t have one.  

Check the carpet cleaner’s ingredients to ensure no harsh chemicals can damage the fibers. Also, always test it in an inconspicuous area before applying it to the whole carpet.  

Takeaway 

As you can see, you have several options and methods of remove stains from carpet  and spills. Regardless of how a spill or accident occurs, fast action can help prevent more stubborn stains and discoloration on your carpet and avoid further damage to carpet fibers.