Remove Almost Any Carpet Spot or Stain in Two Steps or Less
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Most carpet stains are easier to remove when you separate the problem into two stages.
Part 1: Spot Removal — remove the substance that caused the spot.
Part 2: Stain Removal — treat any remaining discoloration caused by unwanted dyes or pigments that have bonded to the carpet fibers.
In this guide, I’ll demonstrate one highly effective method for each stage. Together, these two methods can remove a wide variety of common carpet spots and stains.
SKIP TO:
The Two-Step Carpet Stain Removal Method Explained
Part 1 — Spot Removal
The first step is called spot removal.
Spot removal means physically removing as much of the material causing the spot as possible. This might be food, coffee, wine, grease, pet accident residue, or another contaminant.
The goal isn't necessarily to make the carpet look perfect at this stage. Instead, we're trying to remove as much of the physical material as possible.
Once the removable material has been removed, any discoloration that remains can be treated separately as a stain.
Part 2 — Stain Removal - Remove Set-In Carpet Stains
After spot removal, you may find that the carpet is clean but still discolored.
This is a different problem.
Some stains contain dyes or pigments that can remain attached to the carpet fibers even after the original contaminant has been removed.
For example, a drink may be completely removed from the carpet while leaving behind colored compounds. Coffee can leave brown discoloration, while food coloring can leave a much more intense dye stain.
At this point, we need a stain-removal treatment designed to break down or alter the compounds responsible for the remaining discoloration.
Part 1 - Spot Removal - Step-By-Step Instructions
In this demonstration, we're going to remove 14 different spots and stains. The seven on the left are fresh spots, while the seven on the right are set-in stains. Let's see what we can accomplish using our spot removal method.
Before we begin, a critical part of Step 1 is extraction. Extraction uses vacuum power to flush and remove as many contaminants as possible from the affected area. Many people skip extraction and rely solely on a spray-and-blot method. However, I highly recommend extraction whenever possible, as it allows you to remove significantly more of the contaminant from the carpet.
The more contaminants you can remove during Step 1, the better the chances that the stain-removal treatment in Step 2 will be successful.
YOU WILL NEED:
1) Mini Wet/Dry Vacuum (USA, UK, CAN)
2) 2 Spray Bottle (USA, UK, CAN)
3) 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (USA, UK, CAN)
For extraction, we will need either a Mini Extractor (USA, UK, CAN), or a Mini Wet/Dry Vacuum (USA, UK, CAN). If using a mini extractor, simply fill the solution tank with water only for rinsing.
Step 1 - Gather your supplies. You will need 1 spray bottle filled with water, one spray bottle filled with DIY Spotter, and a mini wet/dry vacuum, or a mini extractor.
DIY Spotter Recipe: mix 1 cup of water, 1 tsp liquid dish soap, and 2 cups of 70% isopropyl alcohol. DIY Spotter will keep for years if stored in a closed container. Give it a stir each time before using as the alcohol and water will separate over time.
Step 2 - Spray DIY Spotter over the stained areas liberally.
Step 3 - Using a mini wet/dry vacuum or carpet spot extractor, extract the spots and stains from the carpet.
Step 4 - Here is the result after 1 round of spot removal. Keep repeating steps two and three until all of the removable contaminants have come out of the carpet. Typically, two to three repetitions of steps two and three are needed to remove most spots.
Step 5 - Light agitation can help loosen the spots and stains from the carpet fibers. After applying the DIY Spotter, with the wet/dry vacuum turned off, use the nozzel of the vacuum the gently agitate the stained areas, before extracting.
Step 6 - When finished using the DIY Spotter, rinse the carpet with water. Rinsing is important because we want to remove the soap residue from the carpet. Soap is an excellent cleaning agent but soap residue can, overtime, attract dirt, and cause resoiling.
Step 7 - After spraying water liberally over the affected areas, use a mini/wet/dry vacuum to extract the water from the carpet. Rinsing one time with water is enough to adequately remove the soap residue.
Step 8 - This is the result after completing step one, spot removal. As I mentioned, the seven stains on the right are set-in stains. Let's see if our stain removal method can remove these seven set-in stains.
Step 2 - Remove Set-In Stains
Stain removal is the process of using a chemical reaction to break down or alter the pigments responsible for a set-in carpet stain.
A set-in stain occurs when dyes or pigments from a spill remain in the carpet fibers after the original contaminant has been removed. If these pigments cannot be removed through spot cleaning and extraction, we can use a chemical stain-removal treatment to alter their molecular structure and eliminate their color.
The color of a dye or pigment depends on the structure of its molecules and how they interact with visible light. Oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide can alter these molecules, changing the way they interact with light. When this happens, the pigment can lose its characteristic color, causing the visible stain to disappear.
For Step 2, I'm going to demonstrate a color-safe stain-removal method. In this context, "color-safe" means the treatment is designed to target many of the pigments responsible for stains while being highly unlikely to affect the dyes used to color the carpet itself.
Step 2 - Stain Removal - Step-By-Step Instructions
In this second demo, we are going to remove the remaining seven set-in stains. Before we begin, I want to advise that you should never skip step one. With every carpet spot, or stain, there is always a part of the stain that is removable. We always want to remove as much of the contaminant as possible before resorting to a stain removal method.
Notice in the photo below, the stains appear to be significantly lighter after performing our spot removal method. Now that we have removed the removable portion of the stain, the stain removal process will be much easier.
YOU WILL NEED:
1) Hydrogen Peroxide / 20 Volume Clear Developer (USA, UK, CAN)
2) Household Ammonia Cleaner (USA, UK, CAN)
3) 2 Spray Bottle (USA, UK, CAN)
Step 1 - Liberally spray the 6% Hydrogen Peroxide / 20 Volume Clear Developer over the stained areas.
Step 2 - Add a few sprays of household ammonia, maintaining a ratio of three parts hydrogen peroxide to one part household ammonia. The ammonia is needed because it activates the hydrogen peroxide.
Household ammonia goes by a few different names: clear ammonia, pure ammonia, cloudy ammonia, or household ammonia. Any of these will do the trick.
Step 3 - Cover the damp areas with a piece of plastic wrap.
Step 4 - Place a pot of lukewarm water on top of the stains. Make sure the plastic wrap prevents the hydrogen peroxide from coming into contact with the bottom of the pot.
Step 5 - Check the stain removal progress every 30 minutes to an hour. After 2.5 hours, most of the hydrogen peroxide will have been consumed in the reaction. If the stain is still present after 2.5 hours, use a dry white towel to absorb the remaining hydrogen peroxide from the carpet.
Step 6 - If the stains are still present after the first round of stain removal, repeat steps 1 to 5. Before you start, absorb as much of the weakened solution as possible using dry white towels. Then add fresh hydrogen peroxide and ammonia to the stained areas.
Step 7 - Once again, cover the stains with a piece of dry plastic wrap, then cover the plastic wrap with a pot of hot water (I am using 70C water the second time around). The water temperature can range from lukewarm to a maximum temperature of 70 degrees Celsius. Using water temperature closer to 70C will result in more stain removal power, meaning stains will come out faster, and you will be able to break down more difficult to remove stains.
An easy way to make 70 degree Celsius water without a thermometer: Mix 1 part lukewarm water (comfortable to touch), with one part boiling water, to make two parts 70 degree Celsius water.
CAUTION: do not use water above 70C, as it could damage your carpet.
Step 8 - Here is the result after 1.5 hours, using 70C water. The Powerade (blue), food coloring, cream soda, and coffee stains look like they are mostly gone. Watch the video below to see how I repeat this simple method on the remainder of the set in stains.
Step 9 - This is the final result after doing spot and stain removal. There is a tiny red spot remaining because I missed spraying this area with hydrogen peroxide. Other than that, the results look really good and with these two simple steps, we were able to remove all 14 spots and stains.
How to Remove Virtually Any Spot or Stain From Carpet - Video Instructions
Notes
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No Dilution Needed: Do not dilute the 6% hydrogen peroxide or household ammonia. Use them as-is for optimal results.
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Handle Delicates with Care: Avoid using these methods on delicate materials such as wool, silk, or other natural fibers. For these items, it's best to consult a professional cleaner.
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Test in an Inconspicuous Area: Always test any stain removal method in an inconspicuous area on your carpet before full application. This can be done on a scrap piece of carpet or in the corner of a closet.
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Avoid Direct Sunlight: Stain removal should not be conducted in direct sunlight. Close the blinds to prevent exposure to harsh sunlight when using hydrogen peroxide.
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Ventilation for Ammonia: Household ammonia can have a strong odor. We recommend opening a window to enhance ventilation and reduce the odor. Rest assured, the ammonia odor dissipates completely as the carpet dries.
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Safety First: During spot and stain removal, it's best to keep your children and pets in another room to ensure their safety.
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Protect Your Skin: Always wear plastic gloves to shield your skin when handling hydrogen peroxide.
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Never Mix with Bleach: Never mix household ammonia cleaner with bleach. This combination produces a toxic gas called chloramine, which can lead to shortness of breath and chest pain.
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Use at Your Own Risk: These methods are offered for informational purposes, and we recommend using them at your own risk.