If you’re reading this one, you have probably had one moment where you notice an old stain on the carpet and wonder when did that even happen. It could be an unrecognised stain mark or one you thought you’d cleaned ages ago. Cleaning old carpet stains is a draining task.
With a few simple methods and a little patience, you can surely bring your carpet back to life. In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to remove old stains from carpet with some tips to prevent new ones from settling in.
Why Do Old Carpet Stains Come Back?
Sometimes stains seem to randomly reappear even after cleaning. That’s usually because the spills get soaked deep into the carpet backing or padding. It slowly gets into the surface of your carpets. It also sometimes happens that you can’t fully remove a stain and it gets set into the fibres.
Either way, carpet cleaning doesn’t have to be a very complicated process. You just need to know the right steps and be ready to try more than one method if needed.
Step 1: Try to Identify the Stain
Try to identify what caused that stain if you can. You can clean it more easily if you know exactly what caused the stain. How a red wine spill is removed is surely different from a grease spot or an ink mark. If you cannot remember what the stain is from, that’s also fine. Just start with a general cleaning method first, then go stronger only if needed.
Step 2: Start with a Gentle Cleaning Solution Next
For most old stains, you can use a basic DIY cleaner and it will do the job. Here's a simple method you can try:
What you’ll work with:
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Warm water
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1-2 spoons of Washing-up liquid
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A spray bottle
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A clean cloth or sponge
Mix up one cup of warm water with a small amount of liquid detergent gently. Spray it onto the stained carpet area and gently blot with a cloth. Do not rub over the strain forcibly. Avoid rubbing as it can spread the stain and even push it deeper into the carpet fibres.
Blot until the stain starts to lift. This might take a few minutes. Try the next method if you can still see the stain.
Step 3: Use Vinegar and Baking Soda
This is one of the classic combos for cleaning your carpet naturally. This one’s especially useful for stubborn or unknown stains.
Here is what to do:
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Sprinkle some baking soda generously all over the stain
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Mix one part white vinegar with one part water and pour it onto the area. You can also spray it over
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Let it sit for 10–15 minutes. If you see fizzing, that’s a good sign.
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Blot the area with a clean cloth or sponge.
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Vacuum up the baking soda once it’s dry.
This method is really good for older carpet stains because the fizz helps lift particles that are settled deep in the fibres. It also helps neutralise any odours trapped in the carpet.
For more on how vinegar works on smells, check out our blog on vinegar and odours.
Step 4: Try Hydrogen Peroxide for Light-Coloured Carpets
If after the previous methods, the stain is still there and you’re dealing with a light or white carpet, then you can surely try hydrogen peroxide. Test it on a small hidden patch first to make sure it doesn’t bleach the colour off your carpet.
Dab a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide onto the stain, and let it sit for a few minutes. Blot gently now. Make sure that you don’t soak the carpet. We recommend you don’t use this method if you have dark or patterned carpets.
Step 5: Using Bleach Solution for Bleach-Safe Carpets
Some carpet fabrics can handle stronger cleaning methods like bleach. If your carpet is certified as bleach-cleanable, you can also use a mild bleach mix to help remove old and stubborn stains.
Just mix one part household bleach with ten parts of warm water. Dip a clean cloth or sponge in the solution and gently dab on the stained area. Only dampen the spot and let it sit for a few minutes so the bleach can work on it. Please don't soak the area all the way.
Rinse the stain area with plain water now and blot it dry with a towel. Let the carpet air out properly. It also helps to keep your windows open or turn the fan on when you're cleaning with bleach.
Make sure your carpet is actually bleach-safe before trying this. It’s best to look for this on the label or contact the manufacturer if you're not sure. You can also check with a flooring expert for advice.
Step 6: When to Call the Experts
Some stains just won’t go no matter what solution you try. That’s when it might be time for you to bring in professional help. Getting steam cleaning or deep extraction can get to the bottom layers of your carpet, where stains tend to hide and clean it deeply.
If your carpet’s seen better days and cleaning isn’t cutting it, then it might be worth checking out Direct Carpet Centre’s carpet collections and getting something fresh. You can also reach out to us for any advice.
A Few Extra Tips to Prevent Future Stains
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Act fast: The quicker you clean a spill, the less likely it is to leave a stain.
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Blot instead of rubbing: Always use a dabbing motion to lift the mess gently.
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Use doormats in the house: Doormats surely reduce the amount of dirt that ends up in your carpet.
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Rotate furniture: This helps avoid wear and spots where spills are more likely.
To go deeper into keeping your carpet looking its best, don’t miss our full cleaning and maintenance guide.
FAQs
How do you remove a stain that has set into the carpet?
You can start with warm water and washing-up liquid and try to clean. If that doesn’t work, try sprinkling some baking soda and vinegar. For light color carpets you can use hydrogen peroxide as a great option.
Do vinegar and baking soda really work for carpet stains?
Yes, it helps and especially for old or unknown stains. This fizzy reaction actually lifts dirt from deep in the fibres and also neutralises any smells.
Can I use bleach on my carpet?
If your carpet is certified as bleach-cleanable, then you can surely use a diluted solution of bleach and warm water on the affected area. Just be sure you follow the proper dilution ratio and test a small spot first.
When should I replace my carpet instead of cleaning it?
If the stains are deep, the smell is persistent, or the carpet is worn out, it might be more cost-effective to replace it. You can browse all the options on our homepage.
Is professional carpet cleaning worth it?
It is surely worth it for tough or recurring stains on your carpet. It goes a longer way than at-home cleaning and helps extend the life of your carpet.