How do I remove stains from a carpet?

Ginny Suber
by Ginny Suber

I just moved in a new apartment that is all carpeted and my cat vomit on it. First thing I did was cover it with salt and vacummed it up the next day but it left a brown stain on a gray carpet. How do I remove it?

  12 answers
  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Jan 09, 2019

    Hi there, hopefully some of these recipes would help: https://www.coit.com/top-five-carpet-stains

    I've had good luck with a 50/50 mix of hot water and vinegar on my rugs

  • Kathryn Lundin Burns Kathryn Lundin Burns on Jan 10, 2019

    Folex Stain Remover. Available at the grocery store. You spray it on, work into the carpet with your fingers and blot (not scrub) to dry. It even takes out that awful orange cat-food-vomit stain.

  • Kathleen Kathleen on Jan 10, 2019

    mix baking soda,vinager,dish liquid soap. works for me. don't rub to ''hard'' and don't ''soak'' it. rub in a circle. you will maybe have too do it a few times.

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    • Kathleen Kathleen on Jan 11, 2019

      i always use one half cup white vinegar, one half cup of baking soda, a few squirts of dish soap in a half bucket of water. (cool water) for a meduim stain. it ''always'' works for me.

  • Ginny Suber Ginny Suber on Jan 10, 2019

    Thank you all very much it worked.


  • Karen Karen on Jan 10, 2019

    White vinegar and water: 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water in to a spray bottle and shake to mix. Use a white cloth or white paper towels. Spray areas well but don't soak it and let sit for 10-15 seconds. Lay the cloth/paper towel on top of stain. Take your hand and press down and across area. Do not rub. You may have to do this 2-3 times but use a clean cloth or paper towel each time. By the way, you can use water and white vinegar to clean almost anything. If your sprayer has a misting option you can spray the air in your home, your fabric furniture, top of your bedding, just about anything. However, I would used distilled water for this one. Water from your spigot has chemicals in them and can leave an off-color spot. After a minute or two you cannot smell the vinegar.


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    • Karen Karen on Jan 11, 2019

      I so had to laugh....picking up the gross stuff! LOL! Did not know that Clorox wipes would not change colors on carpet. You are brave to try this. I have two cats. They walk, play and lay on floors...the same with children. Cats lick their paws and their fur. Children put their hands in their mouth. That is why I use white vinegar. Not toxic to cats or children. Clorox wipes does contain pesticides...just so you know.

  • Ajohnsonfamily Ajohnsonfamily on Jan 11, 2019

    Try using LA’s totally awesome got it at Dollar a general couple bucks! Spray and let sit for a few minutes then gently rub out with rag let air dry... might have to repeat. Had great luck with this .. if you have very hat rug might need to work in spray just a little to help penetrate...

  • Dee Dee on Jan 11, 2019

    white vinegar and dawn will do the trick. Let it sit a few minutes and then clean with warmish water. Blot the excess


  • Zina Zina on Jan 12, 2019

    The Awesome stuff works I agree I have four dogs, I do go over it a second time with the steam cleaner plain water due to chemicals though

  • Ej Ej on Jan 13, 2019

    Peroxide also removes stains from carpeting.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Aug 31, 2021

    it all depends what caused those stains. There are steam machines that will for sure help

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on May 01, 2022

    Use 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1 tbsp. of Dawn dish soap, and fill with water. Spray area liberally and let soak for 5-10 minutes and then proceed with blotting with a clean, dry towel until stain is removed. Some carpet stain removal products can be of great benefit for combating many types of carpet stains.