While carpets provide great comfort and warmth to our homes, they're also prone to stains from spills and more. Whether it's pet stains, spillages from coffee or tea, or sick accidents, you ought to be prepared. In this article, we've compiled some great tips and tricks on how to tackle tough stains of various origins. Regardless if you prefer using home cleaning remedies or store-bought chemicals, we have you covered.

Disclaimer: Always perform a spot test on a small area before treating the main issue.

Best carpet cleaning solutions in every situation at home

What are the best carpet stain removers?

In order to select the best detergent for your carpet, you firstly have to find out if it's natural or synthetic. Assuming you do not know, you can check with the manufacturer or call a professional cleaning company for advice. Additionally, certain carpet cleaners will be better at removing different stains. Some cleaning solutions, however, will have a wider day-to-day use.

What is the best carpet stain remover for synthetic carpets?

BISSELL Pet Stain & Odor Remover is a product extremely efficient in removing pet and general stains from synthetic carpets and upholstery. It can be used as a stand-alone cleaner or as a pre-treatment product. Naturally, you'll have the highest chances of stain removal if the stain is fresh, but it can also tackle older ones.

What are its main benefits?

This Bissell product has an enzyme based formula which very effectively tackles stains and smells. It will prevent your pet from returning to soil the same area again and again. By applying it, the enzymes start working to dissolve the protein, which is the main cause of bad odours. It's effective against urine, vomit and food smells alike.

The product is also a great disinfectant as it kills 99.9% of all germs and bacteria. It cleans the stain on the surface, but also penetrates deep into the fibres. By purchasing one, you also directly help the Bissell Pet Foundation on their mission to save homeless pets.

How to use it?

There are two ways in which this stain remover can be used. You can spray it over the stained area and scrub it with a soft brush, then bloat until the stain disappears.

As an alternative, once you've sprayed the stain, cover it with a damp cloth and let it sit for 12 hours. This method is the better for stains which have dried out. That gives time for the enzymes to break down the protein.

Check also: How to Clean Pee from Carpet?

How to clean stains

What is the best carpet stain remover for natural carpets?

The Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover is Amazon's best seller in the United States, and for a good reason. Using it requires very little effort, and is great for many types of issues. It's successful at removing stains from: dirt, grease, ink, red wine, coffee, blood and even pet accidents. It does not, however, deal with smell problems as it doesn't contain any enzymes.

What are its main benefits?

This spot cleaner is, as mentioned, very easy to use and it requires no waiting time to see the results. It also does not require any rinsing, which makes it perfect for natural fibre types of carpets. It's scentless, water-based and it's not flammable. The product is also safe to use around children and pets.

How to use it?

All you have to do is to spritz a little on the stain and work it in gently using your fingertip. Then, grab a clean dry cloth or some paper towels and dry out the area - it's that simple!

Cleaning products for blood stains

What is the best overall carpet stain remover?

The most versatile and effective carpet cleaning product has to be the Rug Doctor Carpet Detergent. Especially when poured into a Rug Doctor carpet cleaning machine, results akin to those of professionals are achievable. Said equipment can either be bought or rented, depending on your needs and budget. The only downside to this specific detergent is that it's only suitable for carpets and rugs, not for upholstery.

What are its main benefits?

Apart from being a great spot cleaning product for removing stubborn stains, it also leaves the carpet protected. This is thanks to its SpotBlok anti-stain formula, which is effective, but do not rely too heavily on it. Still, it's an added extra feature to an already excellent product. A bonus benefit is the lack of strong smell, which may be found in some other products, such as Vanish.

How to use it?

Start by pouring 150ml of the product into the red solution tank of your Rug Doctor machine. Then, fill up the water tank halfway up and start cleaning your carpets. It's estimated that 1 litre of the product is enough to clean about 40 sq/m of carpet. The carpet will not foam as well, as the solution is extracted during as it's being sprayed in.

What are the best home remedies for carpet cleaning?

Due to the abundance of cleaning tips online, it is hard to say what remedy is best for your specific situation. We will now go over what method is best for some types of situations.

Removing urine from carpet

What is the best dry carpet cleaning solution?

If your carpets cannot retain too much moisture, it's recommended to use dry cleaning methods and compounds. For this recipe, you need:

  • half a cup of cornstarch
  • 2 cups of baking soda
  • 4 to 5 crumbled bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon of ground cloves

Why use this method?

This method is ideal for stains caused by vomit and urine. Thanks to the inclusion of baking soda, the odours caused by said issues will also be dealt with.

How to use it?

Let's assume we're dealing with a sick accident. You should start by removing the waste with paper towels. Once that is done mix the already mentioned ingredients and sprinkle them evenly over the stained area. Then, leave the sprinkled mixture over the carpet and wait for a couple of hours.

You lastly have to hoover the problematic area, so the results can become visible. If the stain still remains, you can either further attempt to treat it or seek the advice of professionals. Should you wish to finish things off yourself, we recommend using a mild detergent and a minimal amount of moisture.

You may also like: How to Clean Red Wine Out of Carpet?

What is the best heavy-duty carpet cleaning solution?

For tough old stains, or for generally pretty grubby carpets and rugs, this homemade remedy should be of help. You'll need 1/4 cup of borax, 1/4 cup of salt and 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar. This eco-friendly cleaning recipe is effective not only for carpets, but for hard surfaces as well.

Why use this method?

Borax, akin to baking soda, is a popular "green" household cleaning agent with a PH of 9.5. It's much more alkaline, making it more effective in disinfecting and deodorizing. Borax, however, cannot and mustn't be consumed or inhaled, so be careful. Vinegar is also a natural disinfectant and deodorizer, while salt plays the role of a scouring agent.

How to use it?

Mix the ingredients thoroughly until a solid paste forms. Naturally, if the area to clean is larger, make sure to prepare more paste. Apply a generous amount onto the stain and leave it for a few hours. All that's left to do next is to go over the area with your vacuum.

Urine on carpet

What is the best DIY spot cleaning solution?

Hydrogen peroxide - a product suitable for stains caused by: milk, sick, blood, mould, fruit and vegetables. Extremely versatile and easy to use, this product is extremely effective in tackling fresh stains on carpets and upholstery.

Why use this method?

Using 3% hydrogen peroxide to remove certain types of stains is a task achievable even by children. The product is inexpensive and you won't have to wait too much to see the end results. It's also non-toxic, leaves the carpet disinfected and tackles bad odours.

How to use it?

To start, make sure the area to clean has already been hoovered. Then, gently pour the peroxide onto the stain. Let it sit for some time and then remove it with a sponge or a cloth. If you notice that the stain remains, pour some more and use a soft brush to scrub it.

Tea stains 1

What products do professional cleaners use?

The answer to this question varies depending on which cleaning company you are asking. Domestic cleaners generally use their own store-bought chemicals, and each cleaner prefers certain products. Carpet and upholstery cleaners on the other hand use highly trusted brands such as Prochem. Their detergents are WoolSafe certified, and are suitable for any carpet fibres.

How does professional carpet cleaning work?

  1. Upon arrival, the cleaner will examine your carpet to determine its type and state. Based on what he finds, he will select the most appropriate cleaning products and machine settings (heat and pressure).
  2. The carpet will then be hoovered to remove the dirt, dust and debris particles. If any dirt remains it will later be removed by the powerful steam extraction method.
  3. In order to perform stain removal, the use of a pre-treatment product is needed. It takes about 10 minutes for it to take its full effect, during which time the machine is loaded with water.
  4. Once the water reaches the suitable temperature, an extra cleaning product will be added into the clean water tank. Then, under very high pressure, the mixture is sprayed in deep into the carpet fibres. Simultaneously, about 90% of the moisture is sucked out into the dirty water tank.
  5. If any stains do remain, further treatment by hand with a soft brush is required. In case some issues are still visible after, they have caused damage.
  6. You now have the opportunity of choosing to add a protective layer over the carpets in the form of Stain Protection*.

*Stain Protection, also known as Scotchgard, is a product which helps prevent the appearance of future stains and marks. Essentially, the next time a stain occurs, you'll be able to easily remove it, even with a damp cloth. By having it, the carpet's lifespan will be prolonged, and the original colours will be kept for longer.

This deep cleaning method leaves the carpets smelling fresh while also reviving their original colours. These are results which cannot be achieved through the use of homemade carpet shampoos and a regular vacuum cleaner.

Read also: How to Clean Car Carpet?