Old stains make your carpet look older than it is and can ruin the overall look of your home, no matter how clean the rest of your house is. How frustrating, right? Fortunately, there are some things you can do yourself to get old stains out of your carpet and make it look much newer and fresher! Some of these methods include home remedies and others include storebought solutions with harsher chemicals. 

Obviously, the sooner after a spill or whatever caused the stain to begin with, the better, but no matter what, tackle those stains as soon as you can. It is much more difficult to clean the longer it sits. Add to that what type of stain you’re dealing with and it can prove to be quite a task! However, try these suggestions for getting old stains out of your carpet and hopefully make your carpet last a bit longer.

Home Remedies

#1 – Vinegar

Years ago, there was a magazine columnist who wrote about household matters and from time to time she would publish small collections of household remedies. One such publication included the many uses of vinegar for cleaning. If you didn’t already know, vinegar has many uses besides cooking, and working as a cleaner is one of them. Combining baking soda with vinegar is one of the most versatile carpet cleaners for old stains. Measure a half cup each of baking soda and vinegar into a gallon of water and mix well if you’re working on a large stain. If you’re only tackling a small stain, just combine a small amount of baking soda and vinegar and spot clean – no need to mix with water at that point! 

#2 – Liquid dishwashing soap

Other home remedies include club soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dishwashing soap. Liquid dishwashing soap like Dawn is gentle enough for puppies and other baby animals, so it stands to reason that it is gentle enough for carpet. Simply mix just a ¼ teaspoon with 1 cup warm water in a spray bottle and spray the solution on the stain. Use a cloth or steam vac to remove the stain and then clean with warm water. Repeat as needed. 

#3 – Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another option if you have light colored carpets because it can bleach the color if the carpet is too dark. Always be sure to test a hidden spot of carpet first. Begin by vacuuming the area to remove any loose particles. Apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain – it is often a good idea to put the peroxide in a spray bottle first and then spray the stain. Let the hydrogen peroxide sit for a few minutes and use a bristle brush to scrub the stain. Use a cloth or steam vac to pull the peroxide out of the carpet.

#4 – Club soda

Club soda is another solution that might work for stubborn old stains. For this cleaning alternative, spray club soda on the stain and let sit for a few minutes. Scrub the stained area with a brush. Then sprinkle the area with salt and let sit for 30 minutes or longer. Vacuum the area. The salt should help to pull out the stain. 

Fortunately, these methods are the least abrasive and harsh for your carpeting. Although, sometimes this isn’t quite enough to remove the stains. Then you might have to try a storebought chemical solution or hire a professional carpet cleaner. 

When all else fails – hire a professional

Sometimes those stubborn, old stains are just too much for home redemdies and even storebought chemical cleaners. That’s when it’s time to call in the professionals. Call us today to remove old stains and make your carpet look new again!