The Most Common Types of

Stains, And How You Can Remove Them

This image shows a spilled wine on a carpet.

Carpet stains are frustrating and almost inevitable! If you own a carpet the chances of you having a stain are highly likely so being well equipped on how to remove stains is important. The proper chemicals and methods are important but that shouldn’t sound overwhelming! Below are the most common carpet stains and how to remove each one!

1. Pet Stains

If there is an initial mess, be sure to clean that up first! If there is liquid or moisture, be sure to soak that up after cleaning up any solids that may be present. Using special pet cleaners to remove any stain is always recommended and to neutralize any smells be sure to white vinegar and the same amount of water in a mixture and scrub the area. If the smell is from urine avoid any ammonia-based products because some animals will see that as a challenge to re-offend in the same area. If the area is simply wet with a mild stain, pouring some baking soda can be done and then scrubbing or cleaning it up will do the trick.

2. Coffee Stains

Coffee, or the elixir of the gods, as some may call it, can be an incredibly annoying stain to try to remove. There are several different methods when trying to remove a coffee stain because it will depend on whether the stain is wet, dry, old, or new! Blotting a dry cloth on a new spill can be all that you need will a good amount of cool water! if the stain is settling in, try a mixture of vinegar and water. You can wet the area with your mixture and slowly clean from the outside in.

3. Blood Stains

With a bloodstain, the sooner you can get to the issue the better. Coldwater is much more effective than warm or hot water which will help loosen the blood off of your carpet. Fill up a spray bottle with an oxi-clean bleach-free cleaner and apply it to the stained area. You will need to continue cleaning the area consistently for some time because blood is difficult to remove but not impossible. Another quick method could be to add grease-fighting dish detergent to a bottle of cold water and spray the stained area. You will need to use a towel to scrub the area until it is clear of the stain.

4. Ink Stains

Dampen a cloth with isopropyl alcohol and dab the area that has been stained. DO NOT scrub! Scrubbing will ensure that the stain persists and penetrates deeper into your carpet fibers. When you have finished being sure to vacuum and dry the area that has been cleaned.

5. Red Wine Stains

Red wine stains can be incredibly distressing, especially on a white carpet! You can start the removal process by drying the area with as many paper towels as it takes without scrubbing or spreading the liquid. Tonic water, white vinegar, and water can be dabbed into the stained area and repeated until the stain is removed. Once the stain has cleared up, cover the area in baking soda and let it settle before vacuuming up the residue.