Removing the Notorious Red Stain from Carpets
Believe it or not, you have options. Choose your style below and vanquish that red stain!
No matter which solution you choose below the first step is to BLOT all the liquid you can out of the carpet. DO NOT SCRUB OR RUB since this will only drive the stain deeper into the carpet fibers and risk damaging them also. Blot up the moisture with paper towel or clean cloths. Begin on the outside of the stain and work toward the center; this avoids spreading the stain farther.
Salt or Baking Soda: a quick, easy way to delay
dealing with the stain so you can continue hosting
your guests. Blot the area, then simply grab the salt
shaker and pour it on. This absorbs the stain into the
salt. After your guests leave, you can vacuum up the
particles and apply other treatments as needed. If you
don’t have salt handy, baking soda works as well.
“Club” Soda: after applying the soda, blot it up, then
follow with a mixture of warm water and dish soap.
Again blot up the moisture. If the stain still remains,
try a mixture of 25% hydrogen peroxide and 75% water (you may want to test your carpet in a hidden area first for color fastness).
Alcohol: treat it with its own kind! White wine (or plain vodka) helps to lift the red out of the carpet. Blot dry.
Carpet Shampoo & Peroxide: Blot the following mixture onto the stain until the color fades:
1 teaspoon carpet shampoo
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
Rinse the area with warm water and blot with a clean towel.
White Vinegar & Detergent:
Step 1: 1/3 cup white vinegar mixed with 2/3 cup water. Saturate area, then blot up.
Step 2: ¼ cup liquid dish detergent (not including bleach or lanolin in the ingredients) with 4 cups water. Spray on the spot and blot dry again.
Step 3: if the stain persists, dip a clean towel in hydrogen peroxide and place over the stain. Place something heavy on top to press the towel into the carpet. After one hour, remove the weight and blot one more time.
Commercial Remedies: Wine Away or Scotchgard™ OXY Spot & Stain Remover
When to Call in the Pros
Professional carpet cleaning companies have access to machines and special chemicals which attack the stains more effectively and permanently. If your stain persists, you may want to call them before the stain gets too old, making it more difficult to remove. Even if you call for a professional carpet cleaner, it is important for you to first blot up the liquid as much as possible right after the spill occurs. This eases the cleaning process and reduces the risk of spreading the stain deeper or farther in the carpet.
