The Options:
These are some of the options to cleaning your carpet that you can use. Later, we will provide a chart that you can reference to help you know which option you should use. Lets get started:
Option A:
- Make a solution of one part of white vinegar with one part of water.
- Apply to the stain using a spray bottle to saturate.
- Allow the stain to sit about ten to fifteen minutes.
- Use a sponge to clean in a rubbing motion.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Brush the pile back into the natural direction is has.
- Using layers of white paper towels, place paper towel on top of area, place a book on top of that. Allow to sit like this until it has dried.
Option B:
Ammonia solution: One teaspoon of clear, household type ammonia to a half of a cup of water. This solution can be used in a spray bottle or be applied to the carpet directly. It is important not to wet the carpets backing when apply. After applying solution, use white paper towels to blot. Allow to dry completely.
Option C:
Detergent solution: A detergent solution can be made of hand soap or dish soap. The combination is one quarter of a teaspoon of detergent to one quart of water. Make sure the soap does not contain bleach or lanolin.
- Blot the stain with white paper towels to remove as much of the solution as possible.
- Apply detergent solution from a spray bottle.
- Rub the area.
- Blot out the stain and detergent.
Option D:
- Isopropyl rubbing alcohol can be purchased at your grocery store or department store.
- Apply it by pouring some onto a clean, white towel or other cloth. Paper towels can be used as long as they are white.
- Blot until as much as possible until stain is removed.
- Be careful. If the stain is small, blot in one direction only so that you do not spread the stain.
Option E:
Often, good old fashioned water can re-hydrate the stain to help with removal. Large spills can be cleaned up with a wet dry vac or a steam cleaner. Dry as thoroughly as possible.
Option F:
Lemon juice can be used to remove some tough stains. To use it:
- Store bought lemon juice is fine as long as it does not contain added ingredients.
- Using a spray bottle, spray a good amount onto the effected area but do not wet the padding.
- Allow to sit up to five or six minutes.
- Blot with a paper towel to remove.
To use the chart below, start with the first option listed. Then, Move through the options until the stain has been removed.
Note:
Not all stains can be removed. Some do permanent damage to the carpeting. Also, it is very important that you take the time to know the proper cleaning instructions provided by the carpet manufacturer. Some carpets that are made of natural fibers, such as wool, should not be handled in this way. Some carpets with specific dyes also need special care. If you are not sure, find an inconspicuous area of the carpet then test for colourfastness. If youre still unsure, contact a professional carpet cleaner. Ask them how you should go about removing a stain on your specific carpet.
| Types of Carpet Stains | Solution |
| Ball pen (ink stain) | Option D. If needed, Option B (here’s the detailed version of removing ink stain) |
| Beers and wines (specially the red wine spill on carpet) | Option A, then Option B (if necessary) |
| Blood Stains | Option A then followed by Option B, In emergency, a small amount of blood can be removed with the use of the persons saliva. |
| Chewing Gum | Apply freezing agent and break gum away when hard, then vacuum |
| Chocolate | Use a knife to remove as much of the chocolate as possible. Do not rub in, but scrape away to keep from spreading. Follow by Option C |
| Cooking Oil | Option D, If necessary, follow with Option C |
| Crayola / Crayons | Use a knife to remove as much as possible, then Option D, If not successful do Option C, If not successful do Option E |
| Egg | Remove as much as possible with knife OR Blotting, then Option B, If not successful do Option C, If not successful do Option E |
| Floor Wax Stains | Remove as much as possible with Blotting, then Option D, If not successful do Option C, If not successful do Option E |
| Fruit Juices and other Juices | Do Option E or Option C, Use a steam cleaning machine to pick up large amounts of spill |
| Gravy Sauce and other sauces | Remove as much as possible with knife, AND through Blotting then, Option D, if not successful do Option C |
| Grease and Oil | Remove as much as possible with knife, AND through Blotting then, Option D, if not successful do Option C |
| Ketchup | Remove as much as possible with Blotting then, Option B, if not successful do Option C, if not successful do Option E |
| Lipstick | Remove as much as possible with blotting, then Option D, Option C, Option E |
| Milk | Remove as much as possible with blotting, Option D, Option C, then blot again to dry |
| Mud | Allow mud to dry completely, then remove as much as possible with a knife, then Option C, Option E (if not successful) |
| Mustard | Remove as much as possible with blotting, then Option B, Option C, Option E. Mustard with tumeric in it is a permanent discoloration of the carpet. It can not be completely removed. |
| Nail Polish | Remove as much as possible with blotting. Then, use an oil based nail polish remover. Then do Option C, Option E |
| Paint Stains | Remove as much as possible with blotting, DO NOT Rub. Then Option D, Option C, then blot again to dry |
| Pet Odor | Remove as much as possible with blotting OR with a Scraper (whichever is needed). Then Option B, if necessary Option C, if necessary Option E |
| Play Doh | Allow play doh to dry completely if it has been rubbed in, Remove as much as possible with knife, Option D, Option C, Option E |
| Rust Stain | Do Option F, Option C, Option E, If this does not help, professional help may be needed. |
| Salad Dressing | Remove as much as possible with blotting, then Option D, Option C, Option E |
| Spaghetti Sauce Stain | Remove as much as possible with blotting, then Option A OR Option D, if not successful do Option C, then Option E |
| Tea and Coffee Stains | Remove as much as possible through blotting, then do Option A, then Option C followed by Option E |
| Urine Stains | Remove as much as possible with blotting, then do Option B, Option C, Option E |
| Stains From Vomit | Remove as much as possible through blotting, then do Option B, if not successful Option C, if not successful Option E |
Other Related Readings:
Mold, Mildew, Smell Removal Tips On Carpets
WHMIS And MSDS - Why do we need to read the label and be aware of the contents?
