4 Natural Ways to Remove Carpet Stains

It’s not always avoidable – no matter how well you care for your beautiful carpet, stains can appear – but is it possible to remove carpet stains naturally, without exposing your family to harsh cleaning products?

Removing stains from carpets can be a difficult task. Dealing with stains on old carpetsstains can take a lot of time and effort to remove. That’s why it’s best to be prepared to deal with them as soon as they appear. These natural solutions avoid the use of harmful cleaning chemicals that contribute to indoor air pollution. You can also save a lot of money by cleaning carpet stains with simple materials that you probably have around the house.

Let’s take a look at some natural ways to effectively remove stains from carpet.

1. Use salt, vinegar, and borax

You can make a natural carpet stain remover using three ingredients you probably already have at home: table salt, white vinegar, and borax powder. Borax is a naturally occurring mineral that It is not safe to ingest Keep out of reach of children.

Here’s how to make and use this natural stain remover:

1. Mix ¼ cup salt, ¼ cup white vinegar, and ¼ cup borax to form a paste.
2. Apply the paste to the stained area.
3. Allow to dry for 24 hours then vacuum.
4. Rinse with water to remove any remaining residue.
5. Wipe the area with a clean, dry cloth.

2. Use baking soda for grease stains

This common baking ingredient contains Wide range of household usesOne use for baking soda is to remove stubborn carpet stains. If your carpet has oily or greasy stains, baking soda can help remove the stains without using harmful chemicals.

Follow these steps:

1. Sprinkle the baking soda all over the carpet stain.
2. Leave the baking soda overnight or for at least 6 hours.
3. Afterwards, vacuum the area.
4. To remove any remaining stains, use a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol.

3. Use cornstarch to clean up spills

Cornstarch won’t work as well on dried stains, but its high absorbency makes it useful for larger liquid spills.

1. Absorb excess liquid with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Apply the cornstarch to the entire stain and allow it to absorb the liquid.
3. Scrape up the powder and vacuum the area.

4. Use natural stain removers

As a last resort, you can also use commercially available natural enzyme stain removers. Puracy Natural Stain RemoverThis product is made with natural, biodegradable ingredients and is free of bleach, fragrances, sulfates, ammonia, petrochemicals, caustics, phosphates, phthalates, animal by-products, dyes, gluten, chlorine and allergens.

Before using any stain remover, test it on an inconspicuous area of ​​the carpet first. Some cleaning solutions can be damaging to certain carpets. To test, follow these steps:

1. Place a few drops on the area to be tested. Hold a white cloth over the wet area for approximately 10 seconds.
2. Check carpets and fabrics for any color transfer or visible damage to the carpet.
3. If you notice color bleeding into fabrics or discoloration of carpets, try a different stain remover rather than using the stain remover.

Additional Tips for Removing Carpet Stains

No matter which method you use above, be sure to follow these tips for best results:

Clean up quickly

Immediately scrape off any excess solids with a clean spoon or butter knife, being careful not to let the spill get onto your carpet.

Then, use a clean, white, absorbent cloth to gently wipe away any excess liquid.

Wipe off any dirt (do not scrub)

Do not scrub the stain as this can permanently damage the carpet fibers. Once the stain has been softened by treatment, gently blot it away. Always work from the outside to the center of the stain to avoid spreading the stain.

1. Use a clean, white absorbent cloth to wipe from the outside to the inside.
2. Repeat until no more stain is transferred to the fabric.
3. Wipe off stain with cold water and allow to dry.

For more thorough drying:

1. Cover the damp area with a 1/2-inch thick cloth.
2. Press it down with something heavy.
3. Once the cloth is sufficiently damp, wring it out and replace it with a new cloth (or use another dry cloth) and leave it for at least 3 minutes or until the cloth is dry.

Want to know more? Check out our tips for eco-friendly stain removal.

About the Author

Allen Michael: Home BuyableThis site focuses on how to keep your home clean and comfortable.

Editor’s note: This article was first published on January 25, 2021 and updated in September 2024.