What Can I Mix at Home to Get Stains Out of White Carpet?
Stains on white carpet can prove more than just annoying. Even small stains can stand out dramatically against the white surface and ruin the appearance of the entire carpet. As with all carpet stains, you should act quickly to remove the stain for the greatest effectiveness. With the right solutions, though, you can remove even set-in stains on your white carpet. Does this Spark an idea?
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Rubbing Alcohol and Salt
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A mixture of rubbing alcohol and salt can remove even difficult grease stains. Mix four parts rubbing alcohol with one part water and apply it directly to the stain. "Reader's Digest" recommends this method specifically for white carpets, so you need not worry about discoloring the sensitive fibers. Rub the mixture into the carpet, then dab it with cold water to rinse. Vacuum the carpet to remove the salt.
Ammonia and Water
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Ammonia and water can function as a powerful cleaning agent, but if you want to restore the natural whiteness to your carpet without damaging the fibers, you must dilute the ammonia before applying it. Add 1 cup of ammonia to 1 gallon of water, then dab the mixture onto the carpet stain. Do not rinse. Just allow it to dry thoroughly. The chemicals in the ammonia will dissolve the stain.
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Water and Detergent
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Dish detergent is another effective cleaning solution that can dissolve stains without ruining your white carpet. Add just 1/4 tsp. of mild detergent to 1 cup of water. Spray or dab the solution onto the stain, then blot gently until the stain lifts. Blot with a second cloth or sponge (containing only water) and dry. If this alone fails to eliminate the stain, follow it up with the vinegar solution outlined in the next section.
Vinegar and Water
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Mix one part vinegar and two parts water. For white carpets, use white vinegar (sometimes called distilled vinegar or household vinegar), because it contains only a small amount of acetic acid (approximately 3 percent) and will not attack the carpet fibers as harshly as other vinegars. Spray or dab the vinegar onto the stain. Continue dabbing until the stain lifts, and then blot the stain with a water-dampened cloth to rinse.
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