8 Life Hacks to Easily Remove Common Stains From Your Carpet
Carpets can make your home look nice and cozy. However, these can easily get dirty, especially in heavy traffic areas. Since accidents can happen at any time, it’s always a good idea to know what to do as soon as you spot a stain on your carpeted floor.
In this article, we will show you 8 life hacks that can come in handy to remove some of the most common stains from your carpet.
❗Important: Remember to always check your carpet manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines before applying any cleaning agents to it.
1. Candle wax
What you’ll need:
- Iron
- Printer paper
- Clean rags
- Liquid laundry detergent
Instructions:
- Wait until the wax is dry, then cover the spot with the printer paper and iron it so the wax melts and transfers to the paper.
- Dab the affected area with a slightly damp towel to remove any remaining residue.
- If the stain is still there, mix some drops of laundry detergent with water and scrub the spot. Next, rinse with water and blot dry with a clean cloth.
❗ Do not try to clean a candle wax stain if it hasn’t dried yet. You will only spread it over your carpet and make it even harder to remove.
2. Coffee
What you’ll need:
- Cold water
- A clean, white towel
- 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide
- 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap
Instructions:
- Blot the stain to absorb as much coffee as possible using a clean white towel from the outside to the center to avoid spreading the stain even more. Once you’ve removed all the liquid, apply a small amount of cool water and blot again to dilute. Do not use hot or warm water.
- Mix the hydrogen peroxide with the dish soap in a small container. Dab the mixture onto the coffee stain using a clean towel. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes and absorb the liquid with a dry cloth. If the stain isn’t completely removed, repeat these steps.
- Pour some cold water onto the treated area to remove any remaining residue. Finally, use a clean towel to dry.
💡 If you’re afraid that hydrogen peroxide may discolor your carpet, you can test the solution on a small area first.
3. Dairy
What you’ll need:
- A soft-scrub brush
- A white cotton towel
- 2 cups of cold water
- 1 tbsp of baking soda
- 1 tbsp of dishwashing detergent
Instructions:
- Blot the excess dairy with the white cotton towel.
- Mix the dishwashing detergent, baking soda, and cold water, and apply the solution to the affected area with the soft-scrub brush.
- Rub the stain with the brush and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
4. Ink
What you’ll need:
- Rubbing alcohol
- A spray bottle
- A microfiber cloth
- Paper towels
Instructions:
- Use the spray bottle to spritz some rubbing alcohol on the ink stain. Let it sit for about 1 hour.
- Get the microfiber cloth slightly damp and blot the stain gently.
- Once you’re happy with the results, use the paper towels to blot up the remaining moisture.
💡 You may use nail polish remover or hairspray instead of rubbing alcohol. Just make sure that these products are carpet-safe by checking your carpet manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
5. Motor grease or oil
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda or corn starch
- A vacuum
Instructions:
- Sprinkle baking soda or corn starch on the affected area and let it sit for around 15 minutes.
- Vacuum the remaining residue.
6. Lipstick
What you’ll need:
- Rubbing alcohol
- A clean, white cloth
Instructions:
- Pour some rubbing alcohol on the clean, white cloth.
- Rub the affected spot until the stain disappears. Don’t forget to switch out the piece of cloth once it gets stained. Otherwise, the stain will be smeared.
7. Mud
What you’ll need:
- A vacuum
- Dish soap
- Warm water
- Paper towels
Instructions:
- Once the mud is dry, vacuum the affected area slowly, passing over it about 15 times. This will help you remove some of the stain.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of dish soap with 1 cup of warm water. Apply the mixture onto the remaining residue as necessary and use the paper towels to blot until your carpet is completely clean.
8. Pet stains
What you’ll need:
- Paper towels
- Vinegar
- Warm water
- A spray bottle
Instructions:
- Clean as much of the stain by scooping solid residue or blotting any liquids with a paper towel. Make sure you don’t scrub, as this will make the stain worse.
- Mix a quart of warm water with 1/4 cup of vinegar in the spray bottle and spritz the solution onto the affected area. Let it sit for several minutes.
- Blot until the spot is clean and dry.
❗For dry pet stains, use a carpet cleaning agent specifically made for this purpose.
Do you have any life hacks to remove difficult stains from rugs or carpeting? Tell us in the comments!