How to Fix 7 Common Carpet Stains

Carpet stains are an inevitable part of life—spills, accidents, and muddy shoes happen to everyone. But that doesn’t mean your carpet has to wear those memories forever.

Knowing the best method for cleaning each type of stain can save your floors and sanity. From a fresh coffee spill to tracked-in mud, here’s how to tackle seven of the most common carpet stains.

General Stain Removal Practices

Before diving into specific stains, it helps to understand a few golden rules for all carpet stains:

Act Fast: Address spills as quickly as possible for easier removal.

Blot, Don’t Rub: Always blot stains with a clean, white cloth. Rubbing can push the stain deeper and damage carpet fibers.

Work from Outside In: Clean from the edge of the stain toward the center to prevent spreading.

1. Coffee Stains

Coffee is a great drink to kick off your mornings, but it can ruin your day if it ends up on your carpet.  

When a spill happens, blot up as much as you can with a white cloth. Then, pour a little cold water on the stain and blot again. Repeat until the stain stops transferring to your cloth.

For stubborn spots, mix three parts water with one part baking soda to make a paste, apply it, let it dry, and vacuum up the residue. 

Another option involves mixing two cups of water, one tablespoon of vinegar, and one tablespoon of dish soap. Apply the solution to the stain and blot to dry.

2. Wine Stains

A red wine stain does not mean the end of your carpets if you clean it up quickly. 

Blot up as much as possible, dilute with cold water, and blot again. Then, create the same cleaning solution you use for coffee stains: two cups warm water, one tablespoon white vinegar, and one tablespoon dish soap. 

Apply the solution and blot.

Once the stain is gone, rinse the spill area with cold water and blot one more time.

3. Blood Stains

Accidents happen, and sometimes you get blood stains on your carpet.

The first thing to know is always to use cold water for blood, never hot water. 

Spray cold water onto the stain, blot, and repeat as needed. 

For persistent stains, hydrogen peroxide works well. But beware: It can cause carpet discoloration, so you may want to test it in a small area first. Once you’ve determined that it’s safe to use, apply the peroxide to your cloth. Then, use the cloth to dab the blood stain until you can’t see it. To finish, blot the stain with a cold, wet rag and use a dry rag to remove the rest of the water.

4. Vomit Stains

Vomit is undoubtedly one of the ickiest stains your carpet can have, which is why it’s so important to clean up immediately, as much as you don’t want to. 

Remember to wear gloves while cleaning vomit to limit your exposure to anything harmful. 

Start the process by removing any solids, then blot up as much liquid as possible. 

Next, saturate the area with an enzyme cleaner, which will break down organic matter and neutralize odors. Baking soda will also work.  

After letting the deodorizer sit (follow the instructions on whatever cleaner you are using), rinse the stain with a sponge soaked in water and blot until the mess is cleaned up.

5. Urine Stains

If a puppy or baby has an accident, don’t panic. It’s easy to clean urine from your carpet, although it can be time-consuming.

The key to cleaning up urine stains is to soak up as much of it as possible. First, put on some gloves to protect yourself. Then, place several paper towels over the stain and press down for a few minutes to lift the moisture. Once you’ve sopped up most of the urine, it’s time to rinse the stain with cold water. Blot that up with a clean towel to finish up.

Like with vomit, one of the biggest issues with a urine stain is the smell. To make sure your carpets keep their fresh scent, you can also apply a special dog urine stain remover or baking soda to the stained area. 

If using a commercial stain remover, follow the instructions on the packaging. For baking soda, it’s best to leave the powder on the stain overnight. 

Urine stains are especially pernicious. So, being meticulous with your cleaning process is important!

6. Grease Stains

Grease and oil-based stains require a different approach than most stains. This is because oil repels water, making this common cleaning agent ineffective on its own. Instead, you’ll need the help of something like dish soap to clean up an oil-based stain. 

First, blot up as much of the stain as possible. Then, mix a small amount of dish soap with warm water and apply the solution to the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot. 

For stubborn grease, try a dry-cleaning solvent. But make sure to test it on a hidden area first.

7. Mud Stains

Kids and husbands are notorious for tracking in mud on pristine carpets. When cleaning up dirt, patience is key. This is because you’ll want the mud to dry completely before cleaning. If you don’t, you’ll just spread the mess around. 

Once dry, vacuum up as much of the dirt as possible or scrape it up with a fork or spoon. Mix a little dish soap with water and gently blot the remaining stain. Rinse with clean water and blot dry.

When to Hire a Professional Carpet Cleaner

Some stains just won’t budge, no matter how many home remedies you try. If you’ve exhausted your options or you’re dealing with large, set-in, or multiple stains, it’s time to call in the pros. 

Professional carpet cleaners use advanced methods like hot water extraction to tackle even the most stubborn spots—wine and pet accidents included.

If your carpet has persistent odors, widespread soiling, or you’re preparing for a big event, professional cleaning is the best way to restore your carpet’s appearance and hygiene.

If you live in the Southern Indiana area, contact Windell’s Carpet Care to clean your worst carpet stains. Because we can get them back to looking their best. It’s what we’ve been doing for 55 years!