How to Treat Common Household Carpet Stains in an Emergency

There are four common household solutions that will be effective against most stains and spills. They are: club soda, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, shaving cream and dishwashing liquid.

For beer and wine stains, use club soda initially. Pour the soda onto a cloth and blot the area repeatedly with the cloth. If you’re certain that the stain is not responding, try a mixture of half and half white vinegar and water.

Pour the solution into a spray bottle, spray the mixture onto the affected area and let it sit for ten or fifteen minutes. Then, using a clean sponge, blot up the excess solution and cover it with white paper towels that are weighted down with something heavy. Let it dry for about a day before removing the paper towels.

Hydrogen Peroxide is effective at removing bloodstains. If your child comes with a cut knee, don’t panic if he gets some blood on your new carpet. Simply pour the Hydrogen Peroxide directly on the bloodstain. You’ll notice it foam up when it hits the bloodstain. After a few minutes blot up the solution with towels and let the carpet dry.

Another thing to try when nothing else is working is shaving cream. It is surprisingly effective against a variety of stains. Just apply it directly to a stain and let it set for around a half-hour. Then, blot it up with a dry, white cloth. Finish the job by using the vinegar and water solution and then blotting up the solution.

For grease stains dishwashing liquid is your best bet. Put it in a spray bottle and spray it on the stain. Then blot it up with a clean, white paper towel. You might have to repeat the process to get it all out.