How To Clean Grease Stains From Carpet With A Household Staple

Carpets are both aesthetic and functional. They provide sound and temperature insulation, make the floor feel more comfortable, and create a non-slippery surface. Found in high-traffic areas and places like living rooms and hallways, carpets are often stained by dirty footwear and food. This is why regular maintenance and avoiding the biggest mistakes everyone makes with DIY carpet cleaning solutions is vital to preserving a carpeted floor's appearance and longevity. Carpets are made from either tightly woven fibers or tufted yarn attached to backing fabric. The material and construction cause it to get dirty easily because the fibers generate static electricity that attracts and holds debris. Regular household activities cause spills, soiling it further. Fortunately, many carpet stains, even those caused by greasy substances, can be removed by using baking soda.

Baking soda, made by refining and processing the minerals nahcolite and trona, has the chemical name sodium bicarbonate. Normally sold as a white powder, baking soda is a non-flammable, weak alkali that is used for several applications, from baking and art supplies to medicine and garden pest management. In the home, there are many baking soda cleaning hacks that are worth trying — refreshing dirty carpets included. The compound's alkaline properties and abrasive texture break down the oils in greasy carpet stains, making them easier to remove. In addition, baking soda has deodorizing qualities: It removes bad smells as it cleans.

Using baking soda is a simple trick to give your carpet (and rugs) a deeper clean, especially when you're dealing with grease stains. To complete this cleaning hack, sprinkle baking soda over the stained area and use a spatula or spoon to squash the powder into the carpet. Leave it there for up to 20 minutes. Next, vacuum up the grease-soaked powder and spray or saturate the area with a solution made of liquid detergent and denatured alcohol. Allow the solution to soak for up to three minutes, and use a damp cloth to gently blot the stained spot. Finish by using paper towels or a new, clean cloth to dry the spot. You could also run a wet-and-dry vacuum cleaner over the area to remove the remaining liquid. If the stain is still visible, repeat the process until it's gone.

More intensive cleaning may be needed for difficult-to-remove stains. Use the same liquid detergent and alcohol solution outlined above to soak the stained area, and scrub the spot gently with a soft-bristled cleaning brush or toothbrush to avoid damage. Rinse the area with fresh water and allow it to dry. Or, similarly to the previous step, use a wet-and-dry vacuum to siphon the dissolved grease away with the liquid.