How to Remove a Red Fruit Punch Stain in Carpet

Artificial colorings in red fruit punch can stain carpet.

Accidentally spilling fruit punch can result in red stains on carpet. Red stains are visibly unattractive and very apparent on light colored carpets. Fruit punch quickly soaks into carpet fibers and produces stains that become harder to remove the longer they remain untreated. Promptly treat red fruit punch stains to preserve the carpet's aesthetic appeal. Failure to properly remove fruit punch stains can cause permanent damage to the carpet. Remove red fruit punch stains with basic solutions and techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bowl
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 tsp. liquid dish soap
• 1 tbsp. white vinegar
• 2 non-dyed cotton cloths
• 2 household sponges
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cold water
• Terry cloth towel

Instructions

1. Fill a plastic bowl with 2 cups of warm water, 1 tsp. of liquid dish soap and 1 tbsp. of white vinegar. Thoroughly mix the solution.

2. Moisten a non-dyed cotton cloth in the solution. Blot the red stain with the damp cloth every five minutes for half an hour. Always blot with a clean portion of the cloth to prevent reapplying fruit punch to the carpet.

3. Dampen a clean household sponge with warm water. Blot the carpet with the damp sponge to rinse out the solution.

4. Inspect the carpet for remaining traces of fruit punch. Dampen another non-dyed cotton cloth with rubbing alcohol if the red stain persists.

5. Blot the carpet with the alcohol-dampened cloth until you've removed the stain. Always blot with a clean portion of the cloth.

6. Dampen another clean sponge with cold water. Blot the carpet with the damp sponge to rinse out the rubbing alcohol.

7. Blot the carpet with a clean terry cloth towel until thoroughly dry. Repeat the process if any traces of fruit punch remain on the carpet.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute household ammonia for the white vinegar.

• Test all solutions on a small hidden area of the carpet to ensure no damage or discoloration occurs.

References

• "Good Housekeeping": Stain Buster - Fruit Punch
• University of Illinois Extension: Fruit punch