Carpet stain remover
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Dish soap, vinegar and peroxide mixes for different stains. Blot, never rub, and test a hidden spot first.
What You’ll Need
- Food or mud: 1 cup warm water; ½ teaspoon mild dish soap
- Coffee tea or wine: ½ cup white vinegar; ½ cup warm water; ½ teaspoon dish soap
- Pet messes or organic stains (urine, blood): ½ cup hydrogen peroxide; 1 tablespoon dish soap
- Tough old stains: 1 part clear household ammonia to 3 parts hot water, in a spray bottle
- White cloths spray bottle
Equipment
- spray bottle
Directions
- Test a hidden spot first to make sure the color will not run, and use white cloths only.
- Blot liquids firmly (do not rub), moving to a clean part of the cloth and blotting from different directions; scoop up any solids.
- Spray or dab on the right mixture without soaking the carpet.
- Wait 5 to 10 minutes, then blot with a fresh white cloth. Repeat if needed.
- Rinse with plain cold water, blot dry or use a fan, and vacuum in two directions.
- Old stains: mist with the ammonia mix, wait 30 minutes, lay a white towel on top and press it with a steam iron, changing towels often.
Notes
Grease: sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda.
Safety: peroxide can bleach dark carpet, test first; ventilate for ammonia; don’t oversaturate (mold). Also: NEVER mix ammonia with bleach or vinegar solutions, and never use different mixtures on the same spot back to back without rinsing. Gloves; keep kids and pets away until dry.