DIY Carpet Stain Removers That Are Total Game Changers
Spills are a part of daily life, but one wrong move and a patch on your carpet could be permanently bright orange. If you do end up with a bold stain on your floor, don't panic. The following DIY cleaning methods, including vinegar, salt, and club soda amongst other ingredients, will fight carpet stains so well you won't be able to tell anything was ever spilled. While there are products out there that can remove stains from your carpet, using items and ingredients you already have will save you money.
Plus, depending on the method, you probably already have the ingredients to hand, meaning you can get started more or less right away. Several of the below items are also natural, which is ideal if you're trying to cut down on your use of regular cleaning products. Unwanted spills can be nerve-wracking, especially on a non-hard surface, but the good news is that you can normally salvage your carpet.
White vinegar isn't just useful for general cleaning purposes
White vinegar isn't just a must-have in the kitchen and a versatile cleaning tool, but also makes a great general stain remover. This method only requires white vinegar, water, and a couple of soft cloths, so it's a great option to try if you want to make the a spill vanish immediately. It can be used on the majority of stains.
Depending on the size of the stain, mix together one or two cups of white vinegar together with a cup of water. If you have one to hand, pour the solution into a spray bottle for easier cleaning. If not, use a soft clean cloth to dip into the vinegar and water mix. Apply thoroughly to the stained area of your carpet and let it sit for around ten minutes or so. Use another soft cloth or a paper towel to gather up any of the liquid that hasn't been absorbed, but make sure to be gentle. If you're worried about the vinegar leaving a smell behind, either add a few drops of essential oil to the vinegar and water solution or use a room spray afterwards.
A salt and cold water combination will work for dark carpets
If you have noticed a stain on your dark carpet, you need to tread a little more carefully to ensure you don't end up causing the carpet to fade. If you do spill a drink or accidentally drop your plate of food, reach for salt and water to solve the issue. To carry out this hack, grab a handful of paper towels too.
The first step is to use a paper towel to soak up as much liquid as you can from the stain (this particularly applies if the stain has just occurred). Take the salt and sprinkle enough to entirely cover the mark, making sure it is spread out evenly. Leave the salt to work its magic for five or so minutes and then use a soft cloth and cold water to remove the salt from the stain. If it's still visible, repeat the above steps. It's important to note that hot water might set the stain if it hasn't lifted, so always use cold water to clear away the salt.
Dish detergent and water is a classic stain removal mix
Found yourself facing an unsightly mud stain on your carpet? It may be tempting, but don't start scrubbing at it right away. If the offending mark has just happened, it's best to let it dry out before trying to remove it. Once it has dried, you can use classic dish detergent and water to quickly clean up dark brown boot imprints on your cream rug. Before you begin, vacuum up as much of the mud or dirt as you can once the stain has dried.
Next, reach for the dish detergent. You only need around a teaspoon. Combine with one cup of warm water and then apply it to the stain. Do not pour; use a soft cloth to dab with the mixture until the mark has disappeared. You can go over the area with some extra warm water to clean up leftover soap residue if you wish.
Baking soda and vinegar team up to save the day (and your stained carpet)
Baking soda and vinegar, both essential items to have in both your pantry and your cleaning cupboard, will come together to banish that pesky stain from your carpet. As cleaning expert Nick Wilkesmann explained to Business Insider, "Baking soda and vinegar work so well as a cleaner due to their chemical makeup and reaction." The alkaline pH of baking soda and the acidic pH of vinegar combine to create a powerful (but safe) gas that will remove stains with ease. For this method, you'll need vinegar, baking soda, and a tough hard-bristled brush.
Pour enough baking soda over the stain to cover it completely. Next, add a tablespoon or so of vinegar on top of the baking soda. Keep pouring until you notice a small fizzing sound occur — this is a sign the combination is working. Use the brush to work in the vinegar and baking soda mix thoroughly, making sure you don't scrub too hard to avoid damaging your carpet. Let the mix sit for several hours until the mark is gone and the area dry. Finally, grab a vacuum to get rid of any remaining baking soda residue.
Club soda will refresh both you and your stained carpet
Spilled your glass of juice on the carpet? Don't panic: just reach for club soda instead. It may sound a little odd, but this unexpected way you should be using club soda will restore your floor back to how it looked pre-spill. Before cleaning, grab a paper towel or cloth to soak up any excess liquid.
Take the club soda and pour a small amount onto another cloth. Make sure you don't saturate the cloth. A little is more than enough. Apply the cloth to the stain, making sure the whole surface area gets covered with the club soda. You don't have to wait with this method, simply keep dabbing until the stain is no longer visible. You can repeat as many times as needed. While this method is excellent for fresh and new stains, the likelihood is that it won't be effective on older, more ingrained marks. If this is the case, we recommend trying out one of the other stain removal methods on this list.
Milk and cornstarch is an odd combination that really does work
If you have an oil-based stain on your carpet that just won't budge, consider grabbing milk and cornstarch (also known as cornflour) to do the job. It's definitely not a combination you think of often, but this unlikely pair of ingredients will get rid of oily stains with ease. Plus, seeing as they're both quite common things to have stocked in your kitchen, you'll be able to get started on stain removal sooner rather than later.
Mix equal parts milk and cornstarch together and spread the solution over the stain. Leave the mixture until it dries and then go in with a vacuum to sweep up the excess cornstarch. You might want to open a window while the milk and cornstarch dry so the smell of the milk doesn't settle. If you're still worried that the milk will cause the room to smell, you can additionally try just using cornstarch to banish an oily stain. In this instance, cover the oily residue with cornstarch and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up.
Vinegar and dish detergent will remove a stain from a patterned carpet or rug
You may have heard of combining baking soda and dish detergent, but vinegar and dish detergent make for a pretty powerful stain-busting combination, too. This method is ideal for getting stains out of a patterned carpet without ruining the look or accidentally causing parts of the pattern to fade. In addition to dish soap (you can use any generic or name brand) and vinegar, grab a hard-bristle brush.
Add one teaspoon of your chosen dish detergent to a cup of vinegar and stir thoroughly to dissolve it. If you have one, putting the mixture in a spray bottle will make carrying out the hack easier. If not, simply use a cloth to dip into the mix and apply it to the mark. Let the vinegar/dish detergent solution work its magic for around 15 minutes. Next, grab the brush and scrub firmly at the covered stain until it is no longer visible. Conveniently, you don't need to clean up the ingredients, making this hack a great option for when you're in a bit of a rush.
Beer makes for a tasty treat but will remove stains with ease, too
Last but certainly not least, that cold can or bottle of beer you have in the fridge could mean no more stubborn tea or coffee stains on your carpet. The following cleaning hack involving the alcoholic beverage means there's no need to stress when you accidentally splash your morning coffee or trip over an item and spill your entire cup of tea. As well as beer, a clean, soft cloth is the only other item required for this trick. Usefully, stale beer will also work if you don't want to open a fresh can just to remove a stain.
Dribble a tiny amount of the beer onto the affected area of carpet bit by bit and then use the cloth to work the liquid into the stain. Don't saturate the carpet — a small amount of beer is all you need. Repeat this step until the mark is no longer blighting your carpet. Beer has a strong smell, so we recommend keeping a window open when scrubbing at the stain and spraying the room with an air freshener when you have finished. You could also dab the area with water if you're worried about the boozy scent sticking around.