Another Pinterest win! I’m always out to debunk supposedly easy pinterest tips, and I’m pleased as punch when one turns out to work as simply as they said! Here’s a REALLY easy way to get stains out of your carpet. This works for organic stains like dirt and food. Be careful if you’re trying this with dyes or ink as the vinegar can make things worse. For stains you’re unsure about it is always best to call in a professional. (Or pretend you are one if you’re like me).
I have no idea where these stains come from, seriously. My husband must be sloshing drinks out of his glass or something because I have no messy kids and hardly any guests. I tried scrubbing and using Resolve carpet cleaner but neither worked. But this handy little tip worked like a charm.
All you need is White Vinegar, Water, a Spray Bottle, A Rag, and an Iron.
Spray the spot with a solution of 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water.
Lay a damp rag over the spot.
Iron on the steam setting for about 30 seconds. If the stain is really stubborn, repeat the steps, but I promise it will work!
Must try this!
Me too! Thanks!
How cool!
A carpet professional did let me know to be careful about what sort of stains you try this on, bc the vinegar will actually set certain dyes. I would say it works best on food spills, dirt and drinks. He also said that really cheap carpet might burn or melt, so I would try a test spot in a corner first.
yes, a wool carpet would burn and a nylon carpet might burn if your iron is on STEAM
This is very clever. My daughter always “spread” the food on the carpet most of the time. So, will definitely try this!
Tonight once the kids are in bed I am trying this! We just moved into a (rental) house and the carpet is so stained! I had seen this idea with ammonia but it isn’t something I usually have. Hope it works on our carpets.
Just be careful and maybe do a test spot in an inconspicuous area just to make sure it doesn’t scorch the carpet or anything. Let me know how it works!
I’ve found that hydrogen proxide works well on most stains. I’d be too worried about the iron burning the carpeting.
As long as you use a cloth under the iron, and don’t hold it in one spot for too long (not more than 30 seconds at a time) it shouldn’t be a problem. I have cheap apartment carpeting and it worked like a charm! Maybe try a spot in the corner?
Love the tip! Could you tell me what kind of iron you have in the picture?
Lol I’ve actually gotten a lot of questions about the iron.
Its a Kenmore. It doesn’t really have a specific name but this is it here at this link: http://www.kenmore.com:80/kenmore-iron-with-lcd-temperature-control/p-00880588000P?keyword=iron&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=L2
Thank you so much! I am needing a new one and am interested in this one. I appreciate the link!!
well i gave it a go and it has dulled it some, but i will wait for the area to dry and re asses. Good tip though
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Fortuitous post. I’m not kidding when I say I was just scrubbing a few stains (made in retaliation for my departure by my dear poodles, Biscuti and Mocha) in my in rug. I’ll let them dry and give this a shot. Thanks mucho.
Uh oh. Hope this helps! Btw cute puppy names!
going to try this let you know
thanks for looking into my Site ‘Homemaker Chic’. Your tip for cleaning carpet is good, but sadly not for me. We went abroad, terrace drain got clogged, heavy monsoon, big big flood inside and a number of my turkish rugs are completely dirtied. No prof. cleaner in town – so, will have to go on my hands and knees. Wish me luck.
Do you think this will work on the drips of paint that mysteriously found their way onto my carpet after repainting my office? If not, do you have any ideas? Thanks!
I don’t think so. It really only works on organic stains like food or dirt. For paint maybe try Undu. You can find it online but not in stores.
well darn, but thanks for the tip on Undu
for paint i found another carpet stain secret, show showed it removed acrylic paint. heres the link http://www.aswegrowblog.com/2012/03/unbeatable-secret-formula-to-cleaning.html
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Will the vinegar discolor my carpet?
In my experience the vinegar is mild enough that it did not affect the color of my carpet. But I’m really not sure if it will affect yours without seeing it. My recommendation would be to try a test spot in a hidden area first. If you’re worried about it I’d call a professional carpet cleaner.
Vinegar is indeed the best natural cleaner because of its acidity. But always consider the proper stain removal of carpet which is to act quick. If stains penetrate it is much difficult to remove it. Anyway try call pro if needed.
Do I need pro for wine and coffee? I can’t find anything to get them up, although I’ve used 409 and Orange-Glo stain remover successfully in the past. HELP! And thank you…………….
I’m really not sure. I would try it personally but it’s really your call. I’ve definitely used it for coffee.
I know this is late news but for future accidents you’ll have the info… Red wine was spilled on our white carpet and someone told me to pour salt (a lot of it!) onto the wet spot. Give it a day to soak up the wine and then vacuum up the salt. It got rid of all of the color! There was absolutely no stain!
Great tip! Thank you.
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Wow, I love this tip!
I will be trying it on some dog stains later lol
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Wow, that is unbelievable idea….vinegar really works to clean carpet stains!
This worked amazingly! My dog left stains all over my floor that have been impossible to clean and this actually did it! Thank you!
Yay! So glad it helped!
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Does the vinegar also take out the “dog spot” smells?
I have a friend who tried this for dog stains and she said that it did help.
Dang! Had I known this super simple and easy trick before, I could have saved some fee we had to pay in our previous apartment for so many stains on the carpet :-/
Definitely not going to let that happen in this newer apartment!
This really does work! Stains are gone. Thank you so much .jonielt
It worked on spilled brownie batter and cat puke – yay!!! thanks so much for posting!
Tried it tonight on a set in mustard stain! It definitely dulled it so that it is barely noticeable, but I am paranoid and swear I can still see it a little! I’m going to let it dry and maybe try again, but it is barely noticeable… Of course, when I said to my husband “Hey look, that set in mustard stain is almost gone!”, he said “What set in mustard stain?”… So I’ll take that as a sign that no one sees it but me!
Woohoo! I love it.
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It totally works!!!! Thank you for the tip……glad my mystery stain is gone as well
Just tried this, but didn’t work in this house…..
It may work for some things – but not for coffee, which is what I needed it for. In fact I can’t find anything at all to get the coffee stain out and I’ve tried just about anything.
I live in a rental with very very light carpet with mystery stains. Pour cheap vodka directly on the stain, wait a few minutes, and blot with damp white rag. It was like magic! Also works on coffee. The cheap ones in the plastic bottles work the best
Great tip! Will have to try. Does the place smell like booze after though?
White vinegar, water, a spray bottle, a cloth and an iron seems to be the perfect combo to eliminate food spills – I tried it myself on a tomato ketchup stain and it worked wonders! For more intense stains such as paint – it’s recommended that you approach a professional carpet cleaning company, such as http://www.chemdryblossom.co.uk/ – great article, thanks for your help!