It Got Messy: How to Get Weird and Gross Stains Out of All Types of Carpet

Avoid it as much as you like. But it will happen — and when you least expect it.

Whether it’s wine spilled from the party the night before or mud trampled in by the dog, the carpet will get stained.

Your first instinct may be to grab the Clorox and give the carpet as much elbow grease as you can muster up. But refrain. Not all carpets are the same.

What works to clean one carpet may damage the next. Different types of carpet call for different cleaning techniques when getting out stains.

If you’ve given up hope about those blotchy messes on your carpet, there’s a remedy. Learn more here on how to get weird and gross stains out of all types of carpet.

Salt Works for Different Types of Carpet

That carton of salt in your cabinet does more than season your food and raise your blood pressure a bit. It’s one of the best DIY solutions for getting stains out of the carpet.

But before you apply it, make sure it won’t harm the fabric in your carpet.

There are two types of carpet construction–level and multi-level loop. Both have to do with the height, pattern, and texture of the carpet. Some stains may run deep. So always refer to your cleaning manual before applying any cleaners–store-bought or homemade.

For an immediate solution to a spill, use salt right away. It works for most water-soluble stains.

Pour a generous amount of salt on the spill until salt is the only thing visible. Walk away and go about your day.

After a few minutes, the salt will absorb all the spill. Don’t touch it. Allow it to dry for a while, overnight if possible. Tap the top to make sure the salt level’s dry. It should feel like a crust.

If it is, break out the vacuum and clean it up. Like magic, the stain will be gone.

Ammonia for Tougher Stains

Blood, chocolate, and wine are tougher stains that often leave a gross-looking mess on carpets. But they’re cleanable.

Consider using ammonia. It’s a colorless gas that’s used in a lot of common products. It has a pungent smell. So be sure to start with a small amount.

In a small bowl, mix a tablespoon of ammonia and a cup of water. Test a spot on the rug first. If there are no adverse effects to the rug, clean the whole area.

Use a spray bottle for larger stains. Be sure to move furniture and other valuables when cleaning.

Soap and Water

Good old Dawn not only works for the dishes, it gets stains out of the carpet as well.

You don’t have to make a soapy solution. Fill a bowl or container with one cup of warm water and a 1/4 tablespoon of detergent. Use a spoon or finger to mix the solution a bit. Scrub the dirty area with a rag or gentle scrubber.

Lift more dirt by adding a little white vinegar. For a more thorough cleaning, try Astrobrite Carpet Cleaning.

Clean Your Carpet

Stains are inevitable. It’s impossible to keep the carpet clean twenty-four hours, seven days a week. But there’re ways to fix rug faux pas, even when they look beyond cleaning.

These methods aren’t exhaustive but they work in general for different types of carpets.

Read more of our articles for more weird news and unique life hacks.

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