Is Coconut Oil Really An Effective Carpet Stain Remover?

While coconut oil has a variety of uses around the home, it may not be the best option for removing stains from carpet. Though some websites recommend combining equal parts baking soda and coconut oil to get rid of stains on carpet and upholstery, the pantry staple may actually further damage your carpet. Because it is greasy, coconut oil may leave stains on fabric, darkening the color. The thickness of the cooking oil could also be difficult to remove from the fibers.

Though coconut oil may not be a go-to option for treating carpet stains, it could possibly be helpful for dealing with ink stains, depending on the material you're working with. When you find water or ink stains on your leather clothing or furniture, coconut oil can help get them out and leave your leather looking beautiful again without damaging it. The natural cooking oil is also great for fixing up and polishing wooden surfaces, removing rust stains from metal, and getting crayon off walls.

Using coconut oil to remove stains on leather

Whether you're working with faux leather, natural leather, or patent leather, coconut oil is a great option for cleaning, removing stains, and moisturizing the material. The natural cooking staple is also wonderful for correcting fading and getting light scratches off leather furniture when applied in circular movements. While coconut oil helps leather shine, make sure to only use a little bit.

To treat ink stains, put a bit of coconut oil on a cloth and dab it over the stain until it begins to come up. When you're finished, wipe off any remaining oil. For water or sweat stains, use your finger or a rag to apply coconut oil over the stain and remove any excess once the stain is gone. After these methods, you may want to polish the rest of the leather with your coconut oil to ensure the entire surface is moisturized and stays the same color. If you're worried about how the oil will affect your leather, try doing a patch test before treating all of the material. While coconut oil may not be able to get stains out of your carpet, it will work wonders on your leather furniture and clothing. 

Other ways to use coconut oil in your home

If rust has started to form on your old cutlery, scissors, or on the door hinges in your home, coconut oil can eliminate the rust and return your metal belongings to their former glory. You can also apply the oil to metal beforehand to prevent it from rusting in the first place. With a cloth or even your hand, put a small amount of the oil over your rusted metal and gently wipe it, though make sure to be careful if the item is sharp. This should remove the rust and polish the metal.

For those with children, crayon will sometimes end up scribbled all over the walls, but coconut oil is great for cleaning it off without damage. Simply take a dollop of the natural oil and rub it over the affected portions of your wall. After several minutes, wipe it away with a paper towel or a dry rag. Coconut oil has a multitude of household uses besides cooking, though putting it on your carpet could leave greasy stains.