When we stain our carpet, the best solution is to try to remove the stain immediately – it surely has the most satisfying results. However, this is not always possible. Even though it is more difficult to remove the stains that have already set in, it’s good to keep some products at hand in case of an emergency. In many cases, simple home remedies (which we all have in our homes) such as hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, ammonia, detergent, baking soda and salt can help dissolve and remove some old stains that have been bothering you for some time.
Homemade stain removers
We’ll start from the most inexpensive and simple ones, with products every household has. In order to remove old stains from carpeting in three different ways, you’ll need hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and ammonia.
Hydrogen peroxide
The first homemade mixture is a mixture of 3% hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing detergent (ideally scent-free) to make a smooth paste. The ideal ratio is 1:3 of hydrogen peroxide to detergent. Be careful, as it can be a powerful stain remover so make sure to test it on a less visible part of your carpet. If the paste doesn’t leave a mark on the test area, you are ready to apply the paste directly to the stain with an old toothbrush. Rub it in softly and leave the paste to penetrate the stain for about 15 minutes and blot it up with cool water afterwards. The result should be a stain-free carpet. If you have multiple stains on your carpets, repeat the process.
Vinegar
The next homemade mixture on the topic of removing old stains is a combination of white vinegar and water. This mixture is not as powerful as the first one but it is also not as harsh towards some materials as the first one. Some stains simply react better to vinegar. Make sure to use white vinegar, since balsamic or apple cider vinegar could stain your carpet even more. Use 1 cup of white vinegar and mix it with 2 cups of warm water, ideally in a spray bottle, and spray over the stain. Let it sit for a few moments and then extract the mixture with a cloth or a towel.
Ammonia
Another useful product every household has, ammonia, can be used as an effective stain remover. The same goes for every stain removal product, either homemade or commercial, try it out and monitor the reaction on your carpet to check whether it is safe to use it. Mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia to 1/2 cup water and pour it on the stain directly. Rub it in carefully and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Blot up the excess with cool water until you have absorbed all the mixture. In every case of using a homemade stain removal mixture, it’s important to follow the stain removal guide in order to do it correctly and not to mess up your carpet even more.
Commercial cleaning products
In order to remove some persistent old carpet stains, we might need to use other products rather than homemade ones. The commercial cleaning products are usually very powerful, chemically enhanced products which are able to remove all kinds of stains. However, they are more hazardous for the people, environment and children especially, so if you decide that your stained carpet requires you to use one of these, make sure to follow all the instructions for using the product safely and effectively.
Hiring professionals and powerful machines
If the stains still won't disappear even after trying out several homemade remedies as well as commercial products, the chances are that you’ll need to hire professionals to do that for you and extract those stubborn stains. Another option is to buy or hire a powerful carpet shampooer machine, which is strong enough to clean all kinds of stains.
It is possible to remove all kinds of stains with just a few simple products. However, the efficiency will largely depend on the type of stain, the material the carpet is made from and the length of time the stain has been lying there. In any case, it doesn’t cost you much to try out a few simple tricks before deciding to call in for professional help.
