How to Remove Carpet Stains – Water Based Stains

Water-based stains include fruit juice, alcohol, baby formula, graphite, cologne, cola, vomit and soil spots. They can be difficult to completely remove from your carpet. Below are instructions for effectively removing water-based stains from your carpet.

Removing water-based stains from your carpet

1. Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solids.

2. For liquid spills, blot with a white towel. For large stains, work from the outside to center to prevent spreading

3. Mix a solution of 1/2 teaspoon of hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup warm water – not hot water….no bleaches or strong alkalies.

Step 1

4. Apply directly to white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in stained area with a cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.

5. Wipe gently, turn the cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or brush – this may damage the carpet fibers. If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution into the base of the stain.

6. Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, luke warm water to rinse.

7. Cover the spot with absorbent white towel and apply pressure.

8. Repeat rinsing and blotting until all traces of the detergent have been removed.

9. When stain is gone, place absorbent white towel over the area cleaned and weigh the towel down with a color fast object

10. Change the towel until the carpet dries

Step 2

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia (3% solution) with 1 cup of lukewarm water.

2. Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as described above. Note: This solution must be neutralized with vinegar solution below.

Do not use for coffee / tea / urine – skip to step 3.

Step 3

1. Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.

2. Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot

> See our related post: How To Remove Carpet Stains – Greasy, Oil-based Stains, Ink & Nail Polish, Candle Wax, and Rust.