This guide was set up to provide help to anyone who's spilled or tracked something undesireable on their carpet, and needs to clean it up. If you're trying to tackle a tough stain, you may need professional cleaning help. We offer Carpet Cleaning services to the Metro Atlanta area, so feel free to contact us.
| STAIN | SOLUTION | REMOVAL PROCEDURE (After removing excess & blotting dry) | PRECAUTIONS |
| Acids from batteries or cleaners | 1/2 cup clear ammonia + 1 cup warm water club soda 1 tsp liquid dish soap + 2 cups warm water | Apply ammonia mix, avoiding soaking carpet, and blot dry. Spray plain warm water, blot dry. If spot remains, go to next step. Apply soap mix, avoiding soaking carpet, and let stand 5 minutes. Blot dry, spray plain warm water, and blot dry again. | Protect hands with rubber gloves Only use ammonia on very light carpet Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin |
| Acne Medicine | Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water 1/4 cup clear ammonia + 1 cup warm water 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup warm water | Apply club soda or warm water, avoiding soaking carpet, and blot. Apply rubbing alcohol, blot and spray plain warm water, blot again. If spot persists, spray dish soap, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray plain warm water, blot dry. If spot remains, go to next step. If spot persists, apply ammonia mixture and blot Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. | Keep rubbing alcohol away from carpet backing Only use ammonia on very light carpet Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin |
| Adhesive Tape | Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water | Apply rubbing alcohol, blot, spray with plain warm water, blot dry. Apply dish soap mix, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray with plain warm water and blot dry. | Keep rubbing alcohol away from carpet backing Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin |
| Asphalt/Tar | Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water 1/4 cup clear ammonia + 1 cup warm water 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup warm water | Apply rubbing alcohol, blot, spray with plain warm water, blot dry. If spot persists, spray dish soap, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray with plain warm water and blot dry. Apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover with thick towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray with plain warm water and blot dry. If spot persists, apply ammonia mixture and blot Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. | Keep rubbing alcohol away from carpet backing Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only Only use ammonia on very light carpet |
| Beer (light colored) | 1 tsp clear dish soap + 1 cup lukewarm water 1/3 cup white vinegar + 2/3 cup water | Apply dish soap mix, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray with plain warm water and blot dry. Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. | Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin |
| Beer (dark) | iodized salt 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water | Sprinkle iodized salt on spot and let salt soak up beer. After salt turns brown, scoop away with spoon and sprinkle again. Repeat sprinkling and scooping salt until most of beer is absorbed. Vacuum any remaining salt. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray with plain warm water and blot dry. | Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only |
| Berries | 1/4 tsp clear dish soap + 1 quart water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup warm water | Apply dish soap mix, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray with plain warm water and blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray with plain warm water and blot. Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. | Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only |
| Bleach | 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup cold water 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups cold water | Apply COLD water. Do not soak carpet. Blot dry. Apply vinegar mix, again avoiding soaking the carpet. Blot. Apply dish soap mix, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray with plain COLD water, blot and repeat until residue is gone. | Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin |
| Blood | 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups cold water 1/4 cup clear ammonia + 1 cup cold water 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup cold water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp cold water | Apply COLD water. Do not soak carpet. Blot dry. Apply dish soap mix, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray with plain COLD water, then blot dry. If spot persists, apply ammonia mixture and blot Apply vinegar mixture, then spray COLD water and blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Apply COLD water. Do not soak carpet. Blot dry. | Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Only use ammonia on very light carpet Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only |
| Calamine Lotion | Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 1/4 tsp clear dish soap + 1 quart water | Apply rubbing alcohol, blot, spray with plain warm water, blot dry. If stain remains, apply dish soap mix, let stand 5 mins, then blot. Spray with plain water and blot dry. | Keep rubbing alcohol away from carpet backing Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin |
| Candle Wax | Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol | Lay brown paper bag or white towel on wax. Iron it on warm setting. If wax remains, let it cool to room temperature and vacuum. Scrape away any remaining wax with spoon or blunt knife. If wax dye remains, blot with alcohol until no longer noticeable. | Keep rubbing alcohol away from carpet backing |
| Chewing Gum | Citrus-based cleaner | Freeze gum with an ice cube, then shatter with a spoon. Vacuum. If residual remains, dab on citrus cleaner and blot. Spray with plain water and blot dry. | The spoon hurts if you hit yourself! |
| Chocolate | 1 tbsp clear ammonia + 1/2 cup cold water 1/4 tsp clear dish soap + 1 quart cold water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp cold water | Apply COLD water. Do not soak carpet. Blot dry. Apply ammonia mix, blot. Apply COLD water. Do not soak carpet. Blot dry. Apply dish soap mix, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Apply COLD water. Do not soak carpet. Blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Apply COLD water. Do not soak carpet. Blot dry. | Only use ammonia on very light carpet Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only |
| Coffee | 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup warm water 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water | Apply club soda or warm water, avoiding soaking carpet, and blot. Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. If spot persists, spray dish soap, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray warm water and blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray warm water and blot dry. | Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only |
| Cola | 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water 1/4 cup clear ammonia + 1 cup warm water 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup warm water | Apply club soda or warm water, avoiding soaking carpet, and blot. If spot persists, spray dish soap, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray warm water and blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray warm water and blot dry. If spot persists, apply ammonia mixture and blot Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. | Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only Only use ammonia on very light carpet |
| Dirt & Mud | 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water | Let mud completely dry, then shatter w/ spoon and vacuum. Apply dish soap mix, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray warm water and blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray warm water and blot dry. | Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only |
| Feces | 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water 1/4 cup clear ammonia + 1 cup warm water 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup warm water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water | Apply club soda or warm water, avoiding soaking carpet, and blot. If spot persists, spray dish soap, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray warm water and blot dry. If spot persists, apply ammonia mixture and blot Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray warm water and blot dry. | Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Only use ammonia on very light carpet Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only |
| Fruit Juice | 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water 1/4 cup clear ammonia + 1 cup warm water 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup warm water | Apply club soda or warm water, avoiding soaking carpet, and blot. If spot persists, spray dish soap, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray warm water and blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray warm water and blot dry. If spot persists, apply ammonia mixture and blot Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. | Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only Only use ammonia on very light carpet |
| Nail Polish | Nail Polish Remover Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water 1/4 cup clear ammonia + 1 cup warm water 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup warm water | Blot on polish remover. Scoop polish up with spoon, if possible. Apply rubbing alcohol, blot, spray with plain warm water, blot dry. If spot persists, spray dish soap, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray warm water and blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray warm water and blot dry. If spot persists, apply ammonia mixture and blot Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. | Use non-oily remover with no lanolin or acetone Keep rubbing alcohol away from carpet backing Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only Only use ammonia on very light carpet |
| Paint, Latex or Oil | Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water 1/4 cup clear ammonia + 1 cup warm water 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup warm water | Apply rubbing alcohol, blot, spray with plain warm water, blot dry. If spot persists, spray dish soap, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray warm water and blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray warm water and blot dry. If spot persists, apply ammonia mixture and blot Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. | Keep rubbing alcohol away from carpet backing Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only Only use ammonia on very light carpet |
| Urine | 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water 1/4 cup clear ammonia + 1 cup warm water 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup warm water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water | Apply club soda or warm water, avoiding soaking carpet, and blot. If spot persists, spray dish soap, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray warm water and blot dry. If spot persists, apply ammonia mixture and blot Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray warm water and blot dry. | Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Only use ammonia on very light carpet Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only |
| Vomit | 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water 1/4 cup clear ammonia + 1 cup warm water 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup warm water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water | Apply club soda or warm water, avoiding soaking carpet, and blot. If spot persists, spray dish soap, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray warm water and blot dry. If spot persists, apply ammonia mixture and blot Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray warm water and blot dry. | Use clear dish soap with no bleach or lanolin Only use ammonia on very light carpet Hydrogen peroxide should be 3% H202 Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only |
| Wine | 1/4 cup white vinegar + 1 cup warm water 1 tsp clear dish soap + 2 cups warm water 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp warm water 1/4 cup clear ammonia + 1 cup warm water | Apply club soda or warm water, avoiding soaking carpet, and blot. If spot persists, apply vinegar mix, spray warm water and blot. If spot persists, spray dish soap, let stand 5 minutes, then blot. Spray warm water and blot dry. If stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide mix and cover w/ towel. Let sit for 30 mins, checking periodically for bleaching. Spray warm water and blot dry. If spot persists, apply ammonia mixture and blot Apply vinegar mixture, then spray warm water and blot dry. | Use hydrogen peroxide on very light carpet only |
