Forget About the Carpet Stains! Try Out These 9 Brilliant Cleaning Hacks

Carpet stains are a pain in the neck, but you can easily get rid of them by following these cleaning hacks:

You’re throwing a birthday party, and naturally, you’d expect a lot of people. Ding-dong, the doorbell is ringing, and in less than 30 minutes, you have a full house. Everybody is having fun; they dance until suddenly somebody is dropping the wine glass on your precious carpet. The horror! Now it’s ruined, and you can’t seem to get rid of the stain.

But let me tell you something: I got you! There are some genius cleaning hacks that you can follow to remove carpet stains in a short time without worrying too much about them. Let’s start with the easiest:

Use a heated iron

First, remove any liquid excess with a tissue but don’t rub on the area! This is a common mistake a lot of people make during the process of cleaning the stains. Work from the outside edge into the center to stop the stain from spreading.

Secondly, apply a mixed solution of vinegar to the affected areas. The stained cloth must be allowed to absorb this blend. It should just take five minutes. Third, use a warm iron on a cloth placed over the soiled spot. Somehow the stain is forced into the towel by the heat and pressure, giving the impression of a temporary water tattoo done in reverse.

Baking soda can be the number one carpet stain’s enemy!

One of the best cleaning hacks to remove carpet stains is to have some baking soda on hand. This magnificent ingredient can easily remove oil stains and odor from pet accidents. The most difficult material to get out of carpets has to be oil and hot water, and the dabbing method may not always be enough to remove these stains.

Place a generous amount of baking soda over the discolored area and allow it to remain there until the baking soda absorbs all of the stains. If the stain absorbs the entire surface, a dry crust will form that is easy to vacuum.

Also, baking soda is your friend in need if you own a pet. You know, sometimes little accidents can happen. And if your cat is anything like mine, you will have a “surprise” in the middle of the carpet exactly when the guests arrive at the door.  Apply baking soda to the spot of puke or urine on the carpet and let it absorb the smell so you can easily remove it afterward. Pin this hack for later, in case you need it!

Always rub the stain never blot it

If you see a stain anywhere, your first instinct is to rub away the dirt. But it’s a very bad habit! Rubbing causes the stain to spread on carpets, but you do it when you wash dishes, polish shoes, and even when a stain on linens doesn’t go away. You run the risk of permanently discoloring the cloth if you work the stain into it.

Please remember that blotting does not remove stains; rather, it only pushes the liquid into the fabric or sponge through pressure. This applies regardless of the cleaning solution you use.

Besides all the homemade cleaners, it’s also good to have a professional stain remover on hand. I always choose Tide Advanced Formula with Oxi because it efficiently removes even the most stubborn stains. You can find it on Amazon for just $13.99 for a pack of three spray bottles.

Shaving foam does wonders for light-colored carpets

Light-colored carpets are typically more vulnerable to filth buildup from dust collection, thoughtless accidents, and heavy traffic. Those with pets and/or kids know what I am talking about. The good news is that a little shaving foam will work wonders to remove stains from light-colored carpets.

Pro Tip: Even the inexpensive ones often turn out fantastic! The primary advantage of using shaving cream and allowing it to sit on stains, even if they are old, is that the carpet will feel softer to the touch and have more fluff afterward.

White vinegar to give fluffiness to your carpets

Similar to baking soda, it’s always nice to have some vinegar in your household. Used to clean stuff from the kitchen and bathroom, white vinegar is also used to disinfect and clear old stains or redo fluff on carpets.

After diluting vinegar with equal parts water, spray over the area you want to clean or restore to its initial form. Use a normal spoon to run sideways down the carpeting once the fabric has absorbed the liquid to help release the fibers and bring back their original texture.

I usually vacuum the carpet after the procedure to help get rid of the vinegar smell, which isn’t exactly pleasant for everybody.

Club soda

When it comes to cleaning hacks that help you get rid of stubborn carpet stains, club soda is one true friend in need. Start by spritzing with club soda if you drop grape juice, white wine, red wine, or any other fizzy beverage on your carpet.

Using a fresh microfiber cloth, blot the stain and continue the process until the stain disappears.

Hydrogen peroxide and dish soap mixture

Combine one tablespoon of dish soap and two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide to remove coffee or tea stains from your carpets. Make sure you wipe the excess of the spilled liquid before applying this combination to the stained area.

With your fingers or a soft brush, make small circles over the stain, then let the mixture act for a couple of minutes. After that, rinse the area with a bit of warm water, and if the stain is still there, repeat the procedure.

Rubbing alcohol is good for removing some carpet stains like nail polish

If you believe using powerful rubbing alcohol on your priceless carpets would make the stains worse, you obviously don’t want to take the chance. But here’s a secret for you: rubbing alcohol and nail polish removers aren’t powerful enough to bleach carpets.

In the unlikely event that you accidentally spill any nail polish on one of your carpets, allow it to dry fully before treating the stain. Using a rough instrument, such as a butter knife, chip off as much of the nail polish as you can. Then, gently wipe the affected area with a paper towel soaked in rubbing alcohol until the nail polish disappears.

Ice cubes for sticky stains or chewing gum

You may be tempted to say, “But how can someone throw chewing gum on the floor?” Well, it can happen, especially if you have at least one kid in the house. We all know that kids are always energetic and ready to mess around with things.

In case this happens and you see a bit of chewing gum on the carpet, don’t panic! Because it’s stretchy and very hard to remove from any surface, especially a fluffy carpet, it’s necessary to harden it as much as possible. For that, use an ice cube. Put it on the chewing gum and let it melt a bit. This procedure will somehow freeze the area and allow you to scrape it off much more easily. Use a spoon or a butter knife to get it over.

What are your cleaning hacks for all the stubborn carpet stains? Tell us in the comments.

You may also want to check out Experts Say You’re Not Cleaning These 12 Areas in Your Bathroom.