What are the best ways to lift deep carpet stains?

Carpet is one of the most popular and versatile types of flooring used in homes today. It is comfortable, attractive, and fashionable. It is also relatively quick and easy to clean if you’re just dealing with minor dirt and debris. However, as every homeowner knows, liquid spills and deep carpet stains can be more challenging to get out.

If you have pets, children or host dinner parties, you’ve probably experienced one or more deep carpet stains. Regular vacuuming won’t lift them out, but there are different methods you can use to get rid of them. Here are some DIY methods for cleaning stains that won’t come out with a simple vacuum or scrub.

Many deep carpet stains are caused by wine spills.

Many deep carpet stains are caused by wine spills. If you have a carpet stain that won’t lift out, call us for a free quote.

Of course, there’s no substitute for professional carpet cleaning. If you have a deep carpet stain that just refuses to come out—even with the methods outlined in this article—contact our team to request a free quote.

Lifting deep carpet stains: coffee and wine spills

How can you clean coffee stains?

Coffee has stubborn, dark brown pigment that is extremely difficult to remove from carpet fibers. Don’t waste your time trying to pull the stain up by scrubbing it with water. Instead, use a paper towel or dry cloth to blot up as much of the pigment as you can.

Next, create a gentle soapy solution using two cups of warm water with one tablespoon of white vinegar and one tablespoon of mild liquid dish soap. Dip a clean cloth into the soapy solution and use it to blot the stain.

After blotting the stain with soap for a few seconds, use a dry cloth to soak up the solution. Keep repeating these steps until the stain lifts from the carpet. If you’re finding that the stain won’t lift out, that’s when you’ll want to call our team.

What can you do to get rid of wine stains?

Wine stains can be notoriously tricky to get out, but you increase your odds of succeeding if you don’t allow the stain to dry. Use the following DIY cleaning method immediately after a wine spill:

First, use a clean cloth to blot the stain. Microfiber works well because it has a great capacity to soak up the liquid. Never scrub the stain, since doing so can force the pigment deeper into the carpet fiber.

Next, quickly create a cleaning solution. You can use any of the following three solutions, depending on what you have on-hand:

  • For the first solution, combine one teaspoon of white vinegar with one teaspoon of neutral detergent in one quart of cold water.
  • For the second solution, add ¼ teaspoon of mild, non-bleach detergent to one liter of cold water.
  • For the third solution, add ¼ cup of baking soda to two cups of cold water.

All three of these solutions are safe for all carpet types, so use whichever you prefer. Once you’ve created your solution, soak a clean cloth with it, then lay it directly on top of the stain. Allow it to sit there for a few seconds.

Use the bottom, rounded side of a spoon to press down on the cloth gently. Work from the outside of the stain towards the center. Lift the cloth and rinse it in cold water before returning it to the cleaning solution and laying it on the stain again. Repeat the process until no more pigment shows on your cloth.

What can you do if DIY methods won’t work?

Sometimes DIY cleaning methods are insufficient to get stubborn stains out of the carpet. If this happens to you, don’t be discouraged. Professional carpet cleaners have access to state-of-the-art tools and products that are highly effective at restoring natural carpet color. If you’re tired of discolored carpet, contact ClearPro Window & Carpet Cleaning to find out what our team can do for your stubborn carpet stains.