Getting stains out of your carpet sounds like an easy task, but it's not so simple when you don't know what to do.

A few different techniques for stain removal, and some work better than others depending on the type of stain.

But where to start?

In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about how to get stains out of your carpet and your carpet will be clean again in no time!

2 Types of Carpet and How to Clean Them

Carpets come in various types, but understanding the key differences between them can make cleaning and maintenance much easier.

Let’s explore two common types of carpets and the best ways to keep them looking their best.

#01.   Synthetic Carpets

Synthetic carpets are popular for their durability and resistance to stains.

They’re often made from materials like nylon, polyester, or polypropylene, which makes them easier to clean with standard cleaning solutions.

• Mix one cup of white vinegar in a gallon jug with warm water
• Add two tablespoons of dish soap and mix well.
• Add the mixture to your carpet cleaner, then start vacuuming it over the stain until clean or until you have no more bubbles.
• Pour two cups of rubbing alcohol, one cup white vinegar, and a teaspoon of dish soap into an empty spray bottle.
• Fill the rest of the way with water. Shake before each use to make sure that all ingredients are mixed properly.
• Spray the mixture onto the stain and allow it to sit for five minutes before using a sponge or scrubber to blot up any remaining liquid.
• Rinse with clean water or, if necessary, repeat the process.

#02.   Natural Fiber-Based Carpets

Natural fiber-based carpets, such as wool or sisal, are prized for their eco-friendliness and luxurious texture.

However, they require special care and gentler cleaning methods to prevent damage and maintain their natural beauty.

• Pour ¼ cup baking soda onto your carpet, then pour ½ gallon warm water over it.
• Sprinkle salt on top and scrub in circles using a small brush or broom until you see the dirt coming up from the fibers. Rinse by pouring cold water onto your carpet, then blotting any excess moisture left behind. Do this twice if necessary.
• You may also need to use a vacuum, but make sure to choose a floor-specific head that can effectively capture any loosened dirt.
• Do not put your vacuum hose down on wet carpet! Allow for carpets to air dry completely before vacuuming again (usually overnight). If you have hardwood floors in your home, don't forget about them too.
• Pour two cups of rubbing alcohol. Fill the rest of the way with water. Shake before each use to make sure that all ingredients are mixed properly.
• Pour ¼ cup baking soda onto the carpet and pour ¼ cup of white distilled vinegar over the baking soda, wait a few minutes for it to react with any stains. Lightly scrub the surface until you get some suds or foam from the mixture before using your vacuum cleaner.
• Keep in mind that this will not work on synthetic carpets because they are usually constructed differently than natural fiber carpets.
• Fill up a bucket or basin with hot soapy water at about 120 degrees Fahrenheit, but not boiling. If temperature is too high, let cool down before use." -Mix ¼ tablespoon baking soda or borax powder per quart of water; stir thoroughly. Use this mixture on stains by pouring directly onto them and blot ting with a cloth.
• Mix together ¼ tablespoon hydrogen peroxide and whitening toothpaste in an empty spray bottle; shake to dissolve the powder. Use this mixture on stains by pouring it directly onto them, blotting with a cloth, or misting (not soaking) the whole surface of the carpet.

If you are using this solution for deep-set stubborn spots or pet accidents, make sure that your soak up as much moisture as possible before applying.

5 Basic Steps to Remove a Stain Out of Carpets

Stains on carpets can be frustrating, but with the right approach, they don’t have to be permanent.

Follow these five simple steps to tackle stains effectively and restore your carpet’s appearance.

• Step One: Blot the stain with a clean towel.
• Step Two: Use warm water and dish soap to gently scrub at the spot, adding more soapy water as needed. Maybe you'll need to use your fingernails or a spoon if the spot is particularly stubborn! Scrub until no residue remains on top of the carpet fibers. The area should feel damp but not soaked when finished.
• Step Three: Rinse by filling an empty spray bottle with cold water and using it like a vacuum cleaner over that wet area being careful not to soak any other areas unnecessarily - this will remove excess moisture from deep in the carpet's pile where most stains reside! Blot again with a dry towel (if available) when done, so the carpet is just barely damp.
• Step Four: Apply a vinegar solution over the spot using a clean cloth or sponge, and rub gently with circular motions. Again, this should leave your area feeling slightly damp but not soaked - use more as needed. Rinse again by vacuuming up excess moisture from deep in the carpet's pile.
• Step Five: Apply a baking soda and water mixture over the spot with your cloth or sponge, again being careful not to soak any other areas unnecessarily - this will absorb excess moisture from deep in the carpet's pile. Rinse by vacuuming up what you've applied so far.

The removal procedure will vary a bit for some particular types of stains, here are more details.

Different Types of Stains and How to Clean Them

Carpet stains are inevitable, but knowing how to treat different types of stains can save your carpet from lasting damage.

Let’s break down common stains and the best methods for cleaning each one.

#01.    Food Stains

Food stains are among the most common culprits, often leaving behind grease, sauces, or crumbs.

Quick action with a gentle cleaning agent can prevent them from setting in.

Coffee Stains

• Rinse the area with a wet cloth or sponge to remove any excess coffee. This should leave your area feeling slightly damp but not soaked - use more as needed.
• Apply vinegar over the spot, using a clean cloth or sponge, and rubbing gently in circular motions for about ten seconds. Again, this should leave your area feeling slightly damp but not soaked!
• Let the vinegar sit on the stain for a few minutes.
• Rinse by vacuuming up what you've applied so far and blotting with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
• Pour on fresh, unopened cola over the coffee stain, let it sit for five minutes before rinsing well.

Wine Stains

• Make a mixture of water, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle.
• Spray the area with this solution, then let it sit for about five minutes before blotting up any excess moisture.
• Sprinkle some baking soda on the area and then cover it with a damp towel.
• Leave this in place for one hour before vacuuming up any residue.

Spaghetti Sauce Stains

• Use a hand gloves or paper towel to dab at the sauce until it is mostly absorbed, then use detergent on an old toothbrush to scrub in circles over remaining stains. Rinse brush in warm water and use cold water to rinse away any remaining sauce.
• Apply a paste made of baking soda and enough liquid dish soap or laundry detergent over the stain until it becomes foamy, then scrub with an old toothbrush for 20 seconds. Rinse off with cool water and repeat if necessary.
• Repeat until all stains are removed, or they're just not coming out anymore.
• Rinse with cold water and allow to dry completely before using the carpet again.

Chocolate Stains

• Apply a paste made of baking soda and water over the stain.
• Scrub with a toothbrush then rinses well.
• Launder in warm water and dry as usual.

Gum Stains

• Apply a paste of baking soda and vinegar over the stain, then let it sit for five minutes.
• Scrub with cool water until the gum is removed from carpet fibers.
• Launder in warm water and dry as usual.

Tea Stains

• Soak up as much of the liquid from the tea before applying anything else.
• Mix one teaspoon of dish soap with two cups of water.
• Apply the mix to the stain and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
• Rinse with cold water.

Launder in warm or hot water and dry as usual.

Blueberry Stains

• Apply lemon juice to the stain and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
• Rub gently with a scrubber, then rinse in cold water.

Blackberry Stains

• Apply a paste that is made up of baking soda and water over the stain.
• Scrub with a toothbrush then rinses well. Dry as usual.

Mustard Stains

• Apply a paste that is made up of flour and water over the stain.
• Scrub with an old toothbrush then rinses well.
• Blot and allow to dry.

Soda or Juice Stains

• Apply white vinegar
• Apply a paste that is made up of baking soda and water over the stain.
• Scrub with an old toothbrush then rinse well.

Ketchup Stains

• Apply some dish soap or hand cleaner to your ketchup spot, wait five minutes, then scrub it with a toothbrush. Rinse well with cold water afterward.

Beet Stains

• Apply a dry cleaning solvent like acetone on the stain, then rinse with water. Any residual traces of dye can be removed by applying an old toothbrush dipped in nail polish remover to the stained area. Rub gently and remove any residue before it dries.

Salt Stains

• Pour lukewarm water onto the salt stain, rub with a brush. Next, pour cold water to rinse away the dissolved crystals from fabric or carpet backing. Repeat until all of the stains are removed.

#02.   Accidental Stains

Accidents happen—the key to removing accidental stains is blotting the area immediately and using the right stain remover.

Blood Stains

• Rinse the area with a wet cloth or sponge to remove any excess blood.
• Apply hydrogen peroxide¹ over the spot, using a clean cloth or sponge and rubbing gently in circular motions for about ten seconds. Again, this should leave your area feeling slightly damp but not soaked!
• Let the hydrogen peroxide sit on the stain for a few minutes.
• Rinse by vacuuming up what you've applied so far and blotting with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
• Apply ammonia² on the stain, then scrub with an old toothbrush.
• Rinse well.
• Sprinkle baking soda overspill, let stand for several minutes while it soaks up liquid; vacuum powder away after standing one minute more.

Always check before using ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, or baking soda on your carpet.

Grease Stains

• Mix a bucket of warm water with dish soap.
• Soak the spot separately from your carpet by laying down paper towels and then pulling them up to soak the top layer of grease off.
• Rinse this area thoroughly with cold water.
• Make a paste of baking soda and water to remove grease stains, then let it sit for five minutes before washing. Rinse well with cold water afterward.

Oil Stains

• Mix a bucket of warm water with dish soap.
• Soak the spot separately from your carpet by laying down paper towels and then pulling them up to soak the top layer of grease off.
• Rinse this area thoroughly with cold water.
• Apply a mixture of white wine, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide to the area.
• Blot up any excess moisture with paper towels.

Ink Stains

• Mix dish soap with water and let it soak into the stain overnight.
• Launder as usual in a cold cycle.
• Soak in cold milk for at least 30 minutes.
• Rinse out milk before applying dish soap to scrub with an old toothbrush.
• Rub the ink stain with a dry eraser, then use dampened rubbing alcohol to wipe. Use a clean cloth and some warm water for final rinsing. Repeat until all of the stains are removed.

Rust Stains

• Mix lemon juice with salt and let it sit for about ten minutes to break down the rust.
• Apply a paste that is made up of baking soda and water over the stain.
• Scrub with an old toothbrush then rinses in cold water before applying hydrogen peroxide to help remove any remaining rust particles from the stained surface.
• Repeat until all stains are removed, or they're just not coming out anymore.
• Rinse with cold water and allow to dry completely before using the carpet again.

Paint Stains

• Apply a paste of baking soda and water over the stain.
• Allow it to dry for about 15 minutes, then scrub with a scouring pad.
• Launder in warm water and dry as usual.

Urine Stains

• Pour hydrogen peroxide over the stain.
• Rub with a scrubber then rinses in cold water.
• Launder in warm water and dry as usual.

Always check before you start that your carpet is colorfast by applying a small amount of water to an inconspicuous spot and waiting 24 hours for its reaction.

Prevent future stains by keeping spills clean as soon as possible using paper towels or white vinegar diluted in warm water.

Dirt Stains

• Apply dish soap to the stain, then scrub with a toothbrush.
• Rinse well. Blot and allow to dry.

Ash Stains

• Use a vacuum cleaner to remove as much of the residue that has settled on your carpet.
• Next, mix baking soda with water and rub it into the stain. Allow mixture to sit for a few minutes, then vacuum up.

Vomit stains

• Put some salt over the vomit stain to absorb any remaining liquid or solid matter left behind from vomiting.
• Rub at the spot for about 15 minutes until it starts looking lighter or until all of it has been rubbed out.
• Apply a little white vinegar and scrub at the spot with an old toothbrush. Rinse with water after about 15 minutes or until it has been removed completely.
• Place baking soda over the area for another hour to help absorb any other remaining moisture from vomit stains. Repeat steps one through four.

Stinky Stains

• Sprinkle baking soda over the stain, then pour hydrogen peroxide on it. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, then remove with cold water.

#03.   Pet Stains

Pet stains, including urine or muddy paw prints, can be tricky due to lingering odours.

Specialised enzymatic cleaners are often the best solution.

Pet Stains

• Use a pet urine eliminator on the stain.
• Apply hydrogen peroxide over the area before using dish soap to scrub with an old toothbrush.
• Rinse well. Blot and allow to dry.
• For animal stains, blot the area with cool water from a wet cloth or sponge. Let it sit for five minutes before rinsing well. This will allow the animal's natural enzymes to do their work in breaking down and removing stains.

For tougher or old pet stains, pour one quart of hydrogen peroxide over the stain, then let it sit for about thirty minutes before scrubbing gently with a toothbrush. Rinse well with cold water afterward.

Dog Pee Stains

• Apply ammonia on the stain, then scrub with an old toothbrush. Rinse well.

Pet Vomit Stains

• Apply water, or a vinegar solution on the stain, then use a brush (or paper towel) along with some ammonia mixed with warm water to work on the stain.

Wet Dog Stain

• First, be sure to blot up any excess moisture left behind from the wet dog soiling incident.
• Once dry, spray spot liberally with hydrogen peroxide or white distilled vinegar mixed at least half strength (depending on if your urine smells acidic).
• Let sit for 30 minutes before blotting up and laundering the area.

Extra Tips:

If the area you are working on is large, wetting a whole roll of paper towels and then using that solution may be more effective.

Try to keep your pets off areas where they have already soiled to prevent repeat accidents from happening.

If pet hairs are becoming more of an issue, you might want to check out the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser!

#04.   Stubborn Stains

Stubborn stains, like ink or wine, require a little extra effort.

Pre-treating the stain and using a high-quality stain remover can work wonders.

Stubborn Gum Stains

• Apply some dish soap or hand cleaner to your gum spot, wait five minutes, then scrub it with a toothbrush.
• Rinse with warm soapy water and dry it thoroughly to remove the soap residue.

Dark Stains

• Apply an enzyme cleaner containing persulfate over the stain.
• After scrubbing with a toothbrush, rinse well.
• Blot and allow to dry.

Bleach Stains

• Apply a paste that is made up of hydrogen peroxide and water over the stain.
• Scrub with an old toothbrush. Rinse well.

Set-in Stains

• Apply hydrogen peroxide over the area before using dish soap to scrub with an old toothbrush.
• Rinse well, blot, and allow to dry.

Large Stains

• If you can't get rid of a large stain right away (like, for instance, on your carpet), it's best to wait.
• Put a heavy towel over the stain and put something on top of that to keep it in place if possible (a large book, for example).
• Apply an enzyme cleaner without persulfate or bleach using a spray bottle at least twice per week until the stain is gone.

Tough Stains

• Apply ammonia on the stain, then scrub with an old toothbrush. Rinse well.

Always check before you start that your carpet is color fast by applying a small amount of water to an inconspicuous spot and waiting 24 hours for its reaction.

Prevent future stains by keeping spills clean as soon as possible using paper towels or white vinegar diluted in warm water.

Always blot up liquid spills rather than rubbing them into the fibers, which will push the moisture deeper into the pile where it can become set in over time.

Stubborn Stains

• Apply as much liquid dish soap on the stain and scrub with a brush.
• Mix one cup of baking soda in two cups of vinegar, then apply it to the area, wait five minutes before rinsing.
• Rinse well.

#05.   Colored Stains

Stains from dyes, paints, or coloured drinks can seep deep into carpet fibres.

Careful cleaning with the right products can help lift these stains effectively.

Black Stains

• Apply a paste that is made up of hydrogen peroxide and water over the stain.
• Scrub with an old toothbrush, then rinse well.

Red Stains

• Apply a paste of hydrogen peroxide and liquid dish soap on the stain, wait five minutes, then scrub.

Yellow Stains

• Mix one cup of baking soda with two cups of vinegar to create a cleaning solution. This will act as both an adhesive agent for any residue left behind from the original spill and help break down any other materials in the carpet that may be causing discoloration.
• Spray area liberally with this mixture. Allow it to sit for ten minutes before rinsing well.

Orange Stains (Contacted by Seaweed)

• Do not use household cleaners! Dissolve salt into the water to make a makeshift cleaner.
• Apply liberally to the stain and allow it to dissolve any residue that may be left on the carpet.
• Rinse thoroughly. Alternatively, you can also use diluted vinegar and salt solution in the same manner.

Brown Stains (Made by Chocolate)

• Mix one cup of vinegar in two cups of hot water and sprinkle it liberally over the area where you spilled chocolate until it is all gone. Wait for five minutes before rinsing well.

Alternatively, you can also use diluted vinegar and salt solution in the same manner.

Removing Odor from Your Carpets

Unpleasant odours can linger in carpets, even after stains are removed.

Baking soda, vinegar, and specialised deodorisers can help neutralise odours and freshen up your space.

• Apply one cup of white vinegar to the area, wait five minutes before rinsing.
• To remove strong odors from carpets and upholstery, use a deodorizer that is non-toxic for children or pets.

You can also try using an old vacuum cleaner bag with baking soda in it around all corners of your home where there are stains on carpeting.

If this does not work, you may have to replace the carpet altogether.

Catch Up with Experts 

It may be tempting, especially if there is a spill right in front of you, to squeegee away as much liquid from a surface as possible with paper towels or cloths.

However, this leaves wet spots which inevitably end up being more difficult (or even impossible) to clean later on down the line once they have dried.

So don't be in a rush to "fix" the problem right away - you'll want to give things time to dry.

For any stains that do form afterward, it's easier to clean them off of surfaces where they have just been formed.

Rather than trying to remove an old stain from furniture or carpeting, which has had plenty of liquids spilled on top of it for weeks or months.

Leave wet spots alone until they're almost completely dry (or let nature help by using a fan if possible) before tackling those areas with cleaners meant for getting out stubborn stains like vinegar or baking soda paste made up fresh at home.

One of the best ways to get pet stains out of carpet is by purchasing a rug shampooer. This can be used on your own time and will make clean up much easier.

If you need something fast, try using dish soap or laundry detergent mixed with water in spray bottles - just spritz it onto the stain before letting it sit for 15-30 minutes before scrubbing off any residual matter.

You could also pour boiling water over difficult spots to loosen them up and then use soapy water afterward for an easy rinse job that won't hurt sensitive skin (especially if you're dealing with children).

Another great tip: keep some rubbing alcohol handy when cleaning carpets stained from particularly stubborn substances like ink, paint thinner, and nail polish.

Simply take a cotton ball or cloth, dip it in the alcohol solution, then use it to scrub away any stains that won't come up with other methods.

Common Questions

In Conclusion

If the stain is not very old, lighten it by blotting or scrubbing with a dry cloth before using one that has been dampened in an appropriate liquid cleaner (such as vinegar and water).

If the stain is older than six months, use a vacuum cleaner's brush attachment or powerful suction device like those often found at pet stores.

For tough spots, mix baking soda and water into a paste, apply this mixture onto any stained areas, then let it sit for 30 minutes – do not disturb while waiting - after which time you will be able to remove carpet stains all with just a dry cloth easily.

Find out more by reading our vac reviews!