Spills and splashes are inevitable. Whether it’s an accidental wine spill or a pet’s mishap, a carpet goes through a myriad of stains. In most cases, we are quick to attend to the spills and get them off the carpet.
But there are times when the spills get a chance to seep into the carpet’s depth and set in before we act. That leads to a stubborn, old stain that becomes tricky to deal with. Well, if you too are dealing with such a stain, here is how to get old stains out of your carpet with some easy DIY home remedies to make it spotless again.
5 Ways to Remove Old Stains from Your Carpet
1. Dishwashing Solution For Beverage Stains
You can use a dishwashing liquid solution to remove old beverage stains from your carpet. Begin by loosening the old stain with a damp cloth. Then, mix 1 cup of water with a few drops of mild dishwashing soap in a bowl. You can also add a teaspoon of vinegar for effective removal.
Blot the stain with a clean cloth dipped into this mixture. Keep blotting until the stain leaves the carpet. Give the spot a final rinse with a fresh cloth dipped in plain water to remove soapy residue before blot-drying. This method works well for removing coffee stains, tea spills, and many other beverage stains.
2. Vinegar Solution For Pet Stains
For deep-seated pet stains on your carpet, vinegar works the best. In a spray bottle, pour equal parts of white distilled vinegar and water. Sprinkle the solution onto the dried, old pet stain and work it in with a brush or a cloth.
The acidic nature of vinegar will help loosen the pet stain and also help eliminate any odors. As the stain starts lifting up, start blotting it with a clean cloth to remove the stain. Soak all the excess moisture with dry paper towels and air dry.
3. Club Soda For Wine Stains
To treat a wine stain on your carpet, pour a little club soda over the stain. As the stain starts lifting up, begin blotting it with a cloth. For an even more stubborn stain, dab the stain with a solution of a tsp of vinegar, a few drops of dish soap, and a cup of water.
Blot it with a cloth dampened in the mixture and lastly, dab it with a fresh-water-damp cloth. Then, soak the excess moisture with paper towels thoroughly.
4. Rubbing Alcohol For Ink Stains
If you have an ink stain on your carpet that has settled & dry, rubbing alcohol is your way to go. Dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and start blotting the ink stain with it. Repeat the step as needed and keep blotting it with a cloth until all the ink is removed.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide For Blood Stains
To treat a stubborn blood stain, use a soapy solution and then hydrogen peroxide.
First, dampen the old blood stain a bit with a spritz of water on your carpet. Then make a mix of 1 teaspoon of dish soap with a cup of water. Avoid using warm water. Dampen a cloth into this solution and start working it over the stain.
Blot the stain as it lifts up. If this remedy does not seem to work or the stain is very old, you can use 3% hydrogen peroxide after spot-testing it on your carpet. Pour some onto a cloth and blot the stain with it. Keep blotting until all of it comes out. Finally, soak excess moisture and air dry.
Summary
Old stains on your carpet can be daunting. But the good part is you can tackle most of them with the right methods suggested in this blog. Whichever method you use, be sure to spot-test before use to prevent any damage. With a bit of extra effort, you will be able to get them out of your carpet and make it spotless again.
