Top 7 Hardest Stains to Remove from Carpet

Is there a secret to handling some of the hardest stains to remove from carpet flooring? Steam Smart Pro understands that nothing would ever spill onto carpets in an ideal world, but this is real life, and we all want clean, sanitary, and stain-free carpeted floors.

Keep reading to learn more about what to do for stains on the carpet as Oro Valley’s reliable carpet cleaning experts spill the beans.

Seven of the Toughest Carpet Stains and How to Remove Them

Stains abound, from spilled drinks to puppy training accidents. Some of these substances are easy to remove with a quick spray of the right cleaning products, but others seem to linger forever. Thankfully, professional cleaners like Steam Smart Pro can save any carpet from stains while adding value to the high-quality cleaning services with budget-friendly pricing.

Below, we discuss seven of the most challenging stains to remove from a carpet, including how a service like Steam Smart Pro can help.

1. Red Wine

The same tannins that make red wine healthy also make this liquid extremely difficult to remove from a carpet. We recommend handling red wine spills as quickly as possible, treating small spills when they are still wet using a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.

• Cover the whole stain but do not soak it.
• Blot the stain with a clean white rag.
• Do not rub the stain, or it may damage the carpet fibers.

With all liquid spills, it is crucial to remove as much of it as possible before it seeps through the flooring. Once the stain soaks through to the backing and underlay, a professional carpet cleaning service will be inevitable.

2. Blood

Bloodstains occur for various reasons, and the priority is always to assist the person or animal in distress. However, once the bleeding is under control, the next urgent step is to focus on removing the stain.

• Wearing gloves, use paper towels or light-colored cloths to blot the excess blood.
• Work from the outside of the stain, moving towards the center.

Remember to use cold water; hot water will cause the bloodstains to set.

3. Ink

One of the messiest and hardest stains to remove from carpet floor is ink. It is not one of the more common stains, but when it happens, people will often track it into and around the home. If you have an ink stain on your carpet, begin by scraping any ink from the top.

• Do not rub the stain or spread the ink around, whether it is ink from a writing utensil or ink from printer cartridges.
• With the excess off, apply a stain remover and start dabbing.

The recommended stain remover for ink is isopropyl alcohol. However, you should test your preferred cleaner in an inconspicuous area first. Always apply the alcohol to the cloth and not to the carpet directly, using a clean white cloth and rinsing it frequently in fresh water to prevent spreading.

4. Bodily Fluids

Bodily fluid stains include urine and vomit. Since these substances constitute bio-wastes, we highly recommend wearing gloves when cleaning up these fluids.

Urine

Remove as much excess liquid as possible as the spill occurs—urine will soak through the carpet, leaving behind a stain and odor that is very difficult to remove. Substances like urine are also acidic, which may bleach the color or turn the carpet yellow unless treated quickly.

One professional trick is to use cleaning products that neutralize acid, such as baking soda. It will absorb the liquid, neutralize the acidity, and eliminate odors before these become permanent. Leave the baking soda on the stain for around 15 minutes before vacuuming.

Vomit

While vomit is unpleasant, it also requires the right tools to ensure thorough removal.

• Remove and dispose of any solid waste by gently scraping it off the carpet (an old spatula or dustpan works very well).
• Clean the remaining area as you would for any liquid.

Bodily fluids are hazardous to health and furnishings alike, so it is good to call a service like Steam Smart Pro for a professional carpet cleaning that removes all stains and odors.

5. Colored Drinks

Are colored beverages really some of the hardest stains to remove from carpet? Yes, soft drinks such as orange or grape soda are as bad as a food coloring. They act as a dye when in contact with carpeting, and even professional cleaners find these stains challenging to remove.

Speed is the most critical factor in removing colored beverage stains; the longer the liquid bonds with the carpet fibers, the deeper the effects of the dye. Treat it like a red wine stain, but complete the process with a professional dye remover product from the Steam Smart Pro team.

6. Coffee & Tea

While dentists complain about how coffee and tea stain teeth, these liquids are just as bad on a carpet. Coffee with the addition of cream is like cleaning up two liquids from the carpet, and speedy response will ensure the best results.

• Remove excess liquid.
• Use a mixture of water and white vinegar to remove the stain.
• Work from the outside and rinse the cloth frequently.

Tea’s tannins are comparable to red wine stains, so treat the stain cleanup in the same way.

7. Cooking Oil

The last stain we need to mention is cooking oil, a substance that is much thicker than other types of liquid. Oil sinks into the carpet slowly unless mixed with other substances like red wine vinegar or marinara sauce.

• Scrape off cooking oil first.
• Then, spot clean the stain with a clean cloth.

Unfortunately, these stains can be tricky. However, professional carpet cleaning services will be able to use highly effective hot water extraction and enzyme-based cleaning products for quick results. The chances of removing a stain also depend on the kind of carpet, how quickly the cleaning process starts, and which materials you use, and professional advice can go a long way to preventing reappearing carpet stains.

Steam Smart Pro is ready for anything, including some of the hardest stains to remove from carpet and fabric surfaces—call us at (520) 462-1183 today to learn more.

Author Bio:

Eric Bullard

The owner of Steam Smart Pro in Tucson, AZ, brings over 20 years of invaluable experience in the field of carpet, tile, and air duct cleaning. With a strong dedication to quality and a deep understanding of effective cleaning techniques, Eric consistently delivers outstanding results to his satisfied residential and commercial clients.