How to Remove Common (and Tough) Carpet Stains

Carpet delivers cozy softness and added warmth underfoot, but it can also make your floors susceptible to stains. Even a home without kids or pets is prone to the occasional spill or smudge, which can quickly seep into the fibers and become a set-in stain. Cleaning carpet stains might sound daunting, but with the right technique and cleaning solutions, stubborn spots lift out easily. No matter what kind of spill you're dealing with, the process for removing carpet stains generally remains the same. Follow the three simple steps outlined below to learn the basic carpet stain removal technique. Then read on for specific tips on removing some of the most common carpet stains, including chocolate, coffee, dirt, red wine, and more. With these expert tips, your carpet will soon look good as new without the need for professional carpet cleaning.

How to Get Stains Out of Carpet

You worked so hard to remind people to remove their shoes and avoided bringing food into your carpeted rooms. And then it happened: the coffee spill or the flying gravy boat at Thanksgiving. Before reaching for the nearest bottle of cleaning solution, keep in mind that the best carpet cleaning solution is often water. Blot (don't rub) the stain with a clean, slightly damp white cloth.

If plain water doesn't work, move on to a carpet stain remover or DIY solution. The best carpet stain remover will be tailored to what caused the stain. Follow these three steps and you'll know exactly how to clean carpet stains.

Step 1: Remove excess ASAP.

Scrape off any excess solids with a spoon or a butter knife as soon as possible so your cleanable spill doesn't turn into a permanent stain. Gently blot away excess liquid with a clean, white, absorbent cloth ($5, Target), working from the outside edge of the stain toward the center to prevent spreading. "Always blot, never rub, which can permanently damage carpet fibers," says Derek Christian of My Maid Service. Repeat until the cloth no longer picks up any color.

Step 2: Apply a carpet stain remover.

Spray any remaining stain with a carpet stain remover, following the manufacturer's instructions for application. You can also clean the carpet with a vinegar solution. For a homemade carpet stain remover, stir 1 teaspoon of mild dishwashing liquid into 1 quart of warm water, add ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar, and apply to the carpet stain. No matter which carpet cleaner you use, take care not to over-wet the stain, which can damage the backing. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Editor's Tip: Always test for color fastness in an inconspicuous spot before applying a carpet stain remover.

Step 3: Blot stain away.

Using a clean, white, absorbent cloth, blot from the outside in. Repeat until the stain no longer transfers to the cloth. Blot with cold water, then blot dry. For thorough drying, try this trick: Cover the damp area with a ½-inch-thick layer of cloth or paper towels. Weigh them down with a heavy object and change out paper towels until dry.

How to Remove Stains From Carpet: The Top Offenders

For common carpet stains, try these solutions.

Blood

Avoid using warm water to clean blood stains on carpet, as this will help the stain adhere to the material. Apply cold water or club soda, then blot with a clean cloth. Repeat until the stain is gone.

Candle wax

To remove candle wax on carpet, rub an ice pack on the wax until it hardens. Gently break up the wax, then vacuum up the pieces. Treat the spot with a carpet cleaner, following the manufacturer's instructions, or a white cloth dampened with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Blot the area to dry.

Chocolate

For chocolate stains on carpet, use a dull knife to scrape away as much chocolate as possible. If the chocolate is melted, place a resealable plastic bag filled with ice cubes over the stain to harden the remaining chocolate before scraping. Vacuum the area to pick up any loose flakes or pieces. Mix ¼ teaspoon of liquid dish soap with 1 cup of warm water, and use a clean cloth to apply the solution to the stain, working from the outside toward the center. Leave the solution on for at least five minutes, then blot until the stain is gone.

Coffee or tea

To get coffee or tea stains out of carpet, cleaning expert Melissa Maker recommends mixing 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1 tablespoon of dish soap. Blot the spill first, then apply the solution. Let it sit for a few seconds before carefully working in the solution with your fingers. Rinse the stain with water, blot, and repeat until the stain is removed.

Dirt

Allow dirt or mud stains on carpet to completely dry before treating. Scrape off as much residue as possible, then vacuum. Apply a detergent solution (such as the mild dishwashing liquid, warm water, and white vinegar solution outlined above). Let the solution sit on the stain for 10 minutes before blotting with a clean white cloth or paper towel.

Fat-based stains (butter, margarine, gravy, etc.)

Use baking soda as a carpet cleaner for fatty stains. Sprinkle the stain with baking soda and let it sit for six hours. Vacuum and then blot with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol. You can also use a dry-solvent spot carpet cleaner, ($17, Lowe's) following the label instructions.

Gum

Peel away as much gum as you can. Harden the remaining gum by placing a resealable plastic bag of ice cubes over it. Chip gum away with a spoon or dull knife. Vacuum and clean the lingering stain with a dry-solvent carpet cleaner, following the label instructions.

Urine

To remove urine stains on carpet, start by blotting up as much of the liquid as possible. Apply an enzymatic cleaner ($9, Target), following the manufacturer's instructions. This type of carpet cleaning product uses enzymes to eliminate both the stain and odor.

Wine or juice

Whether you spill red wine, white wine, grape juice, or another vibrant beverage, start by spritzing with club soda. Blot with a clean microfiber cloth. Repeat until the stain is gone.