How to Remove Carpet Stains With Vinegar & Peroxide

Carpets easily can be stained by everyday activities. Walking, eating, drinking and pet accidents are common causes of carpet stains. It is important to treat a carpet stain as soon as possible. The longer it sits on the carpet, the harder it will be to remove. Many commercial carpet cleaning products are on the market, which are usually chemical-based products. Home treatments use natural ingredients. Vinegar and peroxide are natural ingredients which can be used for household cleaning.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Spray bottle
• Water
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Plastic bowl
• 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
• Liquid dishwashing detergent
• Rubber gloves

Instructions

1. Remove as much liquid as possible. Blot carefully and firmly with paper towels to get up all the liquid.

2. Mix together an equal amount of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the stain with the vinegar mixture. Be sure to saturate the stain. Allow it to almost completely dry.

3. Sprinkle the stain with baking soda.

4. Place a 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide and one tsp. liquid dishwashing detergent into a small plastic bowl. Mix the two ingredients together.

5. Put on rubber gloves, and use your fingers to work the mixture into the carpet fibers.

6. Let the mixture dry, and vacuum.

Tips & Warnings

• Test treatment in inconspicuous area first to assure it will not damage the rug.

• Follow with a steam cleaner for added cleaning and odor removal.

• For tough stains increase the volume of vinegar in the mixture. Allow the mixture to sit for half an hour and remove.

• Use cold water. Hot water may set the stain.

• Do not use ammonia on pet stains. Ammonia has a similar smell to pet urine and will attract them back to the spot.

References

• Removing Pet Stains From Berber Carpet
• Urine Stain Removal
• Carpet Stain Removal

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish