A-Z Carpet Stains and How to Remove All of Them

Cleaning Information for your most common stains

TYPE OF CARPET STAIN = Bold

PRODUCTS USED FOR REMOVAL = Italics 

Hard Alcohol Beverages, Beer

• Shampoo and then dab with methylated spirits.

Blood

• Dab with COLD water then shampoo.
• If there are still traces, treat them with baking soda and a few drops of natural mild soap.

Butter, oil, gravy, sauces

• Dab with white spirit or dry all natural cleaning solvent and then shampoo.
• If the stain persists, dab with baking soda and a few drops of natural mild soap.

Candle wax and paraffin

• Put blotting paper over the stain and go over with a WARM iron.
• Dab with cloth and then sent free shampoo.

Chewing gum

• Apply an anti-gum solution or dab with dry all natural cleaning solvent.
• Option: Pore hot water over the gum to increase extractability. 

Chocolate and candy

• Dab with WARM water (max 50 degrees C) or with diluted baking soda and a few drops of natural mild soap.

Coffee and Tea

• Shampoo. If the stain persists, dab with methylated spirits of diluted baking soda and a few drops of natural mild soap.

Cosmetics and medicines

• Apply white spirits or dry all natural cleaning solvent and then shampoo.

Eggs and albumins

• Dab with 5% diluted baking soda and a few drops of natural mild soap or methylated spirits, then shampoo.

Glue, stain and varnish

• Apply white spirits or dry all natural cleaning solvent and then shampoo.

Grass and vegetable stains

• Moisten with environmentally friendly methylated spirits.

Inks, aniline and carbon

• Remove as much as possible with blotting paper and then dab with solution of 30% methylated spirits and 70% water, than shampoo.
• Pure lemon juice gives good results as well.

Jam, syrup and fruit juices

• Dab with WARM water (max 50 degrees C).
• If stain persists use white spirits or dry all natural cleaning solvent.

Milk and yogurt

• Shampoo, then dab with 5% diluted baking soda and a few drops of natural mild soap or methylated spirits.
• If the stain persists, use dry all natural cleaning solvent or white spirits.

Mud

• Allow to dry and then go over with a vacuum cleaner.
• Use a wet cloth to dap up whatever the vacuum couldn't collect 

Nail polish

• Dab with acetone and then shampoo.

Rust

• Use 3% diluted potassium oxalate or an anti-rust product.

Tar, grease and fuel oil

• Dab with white spirits or dry all natural cleaning solvent and then shampoo.
• Repeat action with methylated spirits and shampoo again.

Iodine

• Dab with pure baking soda and a few drops of natural mild soap.
• Vomit, urine and excrement
• Dab with mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% water, or with methylated spirits and then shampoo.

Wax furniture and floor polish

• Apply with white spirits or dry all natural cleaning solvent and then shampoo.
• If stain persists apply 5% diluted baking soda and a few drops of natural mild soap or methylated spirits.

Wine and lemonade

Apply 50% vinegar and 50% water and then shampoo. Here's more on our wine removal article.

Quick tip! When using a wet cloth make sure to dab the stain instead of rubbing it.

Warning: Most mainstream brands make use of chlorine bleach, ammonia or any number of other chemicals that can wreak havoc on the environment and human health (including correlation to multiple types of cancer). Make your health and the environment a priority by making and/or buying all natural products.

Call 604.240.7787 or email info@carpeteer.com for 24/7 quality carpet cleaning and flood restoration in Vancouver.

Vancouver's small town local carpet cleaning experts since 1975.