How to Remove Spots from your Carpet

Sometimes no matter how hard we try to keep our carpets free from stains, it just can’t stay clean. It’s almost as if the carpets secretly connive with these stains to make you work your back off. They stay there and make your carpet look like it’s never seen better days. What’s most annoying is that they stand out and make your carpet look filthy. If you’re wondering how to remove spots from your carpet, you’re not alone. There are ways to fight back and restore your carpet’s former glory without a battle.

With this guide, however, their days are numbered. Follow through our step-by-step advanced treatment recommendations to remove spots from your carpet. If that fails to give the desired results, try using the spotting solutions at the bottom of this post and we guarantee your carpet will take on its normal appearance.

BLOOD STAINS

1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply cool ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
5. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
6. Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide may be necessary.

BUTTER AND MARGARINE

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
2. Apply detergent solution, blot until dry.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

CANDLE WAX

1. Scrape away as much wax as possible with a spatula or dull knife.
2. Apply dry cleaning solvent.
3. Apply POG, blot.
4. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.

*Refer to general recommendation for hot iron treatment of wax.

KETCHUP & TOMATO SAUCE

1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
4. If stain remains, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot dry.

CHOCOLATE

1. Scrape away as much as possible with a spatula or dull knife.
2. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
5. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

COFFEE

1. Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently.
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
3. Cover with dry towels until dry.

CRAYON

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply POG, blot.
3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

FOOD COLORING

1. Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently. A dried stain of food coloring will most likely spread when wet. Repeat until the color is no longer transferred to the towel. To effectively remove spots from your carpet, ensure you use a clean towel and work from the outside of the stain inward to prevent spreading.

2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

FURNITURE STAIN

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply POG, blot.
3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Unfortunately, a furniture stain is nearly impossible to remove completely.

GRASS

1. Apply amyl Superiortate if available to remove chlorophyll, blot.
2. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
3. Rinse with water, blot.
4. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
5. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
7. Bleaching or professional stripping may be necessary.

INK(Ballpoint)

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply POG, blot.
3. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.

INK (India)

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply POG, blot.
3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

JAM & JELLY

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
3. Rinse with water, blot.
4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

LIPSTICK

1. Scrape off excess with spatula or dull knife.
2. Apply POG, blot making sure not to reapply stain into fabric.
3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
4. Apply detergent, blot.
5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
6. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
7. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
8. Try to avoid wet cleaning on wool.
9. Use POG and dry-cleaning solvents as long as possible.

MILDEW

1. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot.
4. Apply a solution of oxidizing bleach (chlorine or perborate) Do not use chlorine bleach on wool or silk.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

MUD

1. Brush or scrape away as much excess mud as possible.
2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
5. If stain remains, apply POG and dry-cleaning solvent alternately, blot until dry.

MUSTARD

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
4. If stain remains, rust remover (Oxalic acid solution) or bleaching may be necessary.
5. Do not use ammonia or alkalies.

NAIL POLISH

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply amyl Superiortate if available or nail polish remover -PRETEST INCONSPICUOUS AREA FIRST.
3. If stain remains, apply a detergent solution, blot until dry.
4. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
5. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

PAINT (Oil based)

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
4. Apply POG, blot.
5. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.

PAINT (Water based)

1. Check label on paint or specific thinner or solvent OR
2. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
3. Apply POG, blot.
4. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot
5. Alternate steps 2 and 3 until the stain is removed.
6. If stain persists, weight down the stain with towels dampened with dry-cleaning for several hours to loosen, blot with solvent.
7. Apply several drops of detergent solution and work into the stain, blot.
8. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
9. Alternate steps 2 and 3 and 6 until the stain is removed.
10. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, blot until dry.

SHOE POLISH

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply POG, blot.
3. Apply dry-cleaning solution, blot.
4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
7. If stain persists, bleaching or professional stripping may be necessary.

URINE

8. Blot as much as possible if still wet.
9. Apply detergent solution, blot.
10. Apply ammonia solution, blot
11. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
12. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
13. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
14. Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate might be necessary.
15. Urine stains may cause permanent dye removal from fibers.

VOMIT

1. Blot as much as possible.
2. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

WINE

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. If necessary, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

(If all else fails, switch to Chardonnay)!!

Spotting Solutions

AMMONIA SOLUTION

• To remove spots from your carpet, mix one tablespoon of clean household ammonia with one-half cup of water. Apply the solution to the stained area and gently blot with a clean cloth. This method can help tackle tough spots, making your carpet look refreshed.

BLEACH

• Use hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate (present in Snowy or Clorox II) to remove spots from your carpet. DO NOT use chlorine bleach.

DETERGENT SOLUTION

• Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water. This solution can help you remove spots from your carpet effectively. Gently blot the stained area with a clean cloth and watch as the spot disappears without damaging your carpet.

DRY-CLEANING SOLVENT

• When looking to remove spots from your carpet, it’s important to use a volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter like Thoro, Energize, or K2R. Use these products in small amounts, as they can be harmful to the sizing, backings, or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride, as these can cause damage to your carpet. Always test any spotter on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it more broadly.

POG

• Paint, oil and grease remover; available in hardware stores. Use extremely small amounts with extreme caution!