Short answer
Act quickly, remove anything solid, then blot the stain with a clean white cloth rather than rubbing it. Treat it with cold water and a mild solution of washing-up liquid, working from the outside in, then rinse with clean water and blot dry. Always test any product on a hidden area first, and avoid hot water and strong chemicals, which can set stains or damage the fibres.
The golden rules
Blot, do not rub. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the pile, spreads it wider and can fray or fuzz the fibres, leaving a patch that looks different even once it is clean. Press a clean white cloth or kitchen paper onto the stain, lift, and repeat with a clean section.
Use cold or lukewarm water, not hot. Heat can set protein stains such as blood, milk and vomit, and can damage wool. Use as little liquid as you can: soaking the carpet can wet the backing and underlay, which can lead to a stain reappearing as it dries or a musty smell.
Test first. Try any cleaning solution on a hidden spot, such as inside a wardrobe or under a sofa, and check that the colour does not change or transfer onto a white cloth. Check the carpet manufacturer's care guidance if you still have it, especially for wool or natural fibres.
Never mix cleaning products, and keep bleach well away from carpets. It will remove colour as well as the stain.
A general method for most stains
- Scrape up any solids gently with a blunt knife, spoon or the edge of a card, lifting towards the centre of the stain.
- Blot up as much liquid as possible with a clean white cloth or kitchen paper, pressing firmly and changing to a clean area as it picks up colour.
- Mix a few drops of clear washing-up liquid into a bowl of cold water.
- Dampen a clean cloth in the solution and dab it onto the stain, working from the outside edge towards the middle so it does not spread.
- Blot with a dry cloth to lift the loosened stain. Repeat the dab and blot steps while the stain keeps transferring to the cloth.
- Rinse by dabbing with a cloth dampened in plain cold water, to remove the soap. Soap left in the pile attracts dirt and can leave a darker patch.
- Blot as dry as you can, then lay a thick pad of kitchen paper on the spot, weigh it down with something heavy and leave it to absorb the remaining moisture.
- When completely dry, brush the pile gently with your fingers or a soft brush so it stands up evenly, then vacuum.
How to clean vomit from carpet
Wear rubber gloves and open a window. Lift away as much as you can with a spoon, dustpan or piece of card, without pressing it into the pile. Blot the remaining moisture with kitchen paper.
Sprinkle a generous layer of bicarbonate of soda over the area. It absorbs moisture and helps with the smell. Once it has dried and absorbed what it can, vacuum it up. Then follow the general method above with cold water and a little washing-up liquid, rinse, and blot dry. Use cold water throughout, because vomit contains proteins that heat can set. If the smell lingers, a cleaner made for organic stains, used as the label directs, may help.
How to remove red wine from carpet
Blot immediately and keep blotting until no more colour comes up. Pour a small amount of cold water onto the stain to dilute it, then blot again; repeat a few times. Follow with the washing-up liquid solution, dabbing from the outside in, then rinse and blot dry.
Avoid the old tip of pouring white wine on red wine, which just adds more liquid and sugar. Be cautious with salt, which can be hard to remove from a pile, and do not use bleach-based products on coloured carpet. Older or dried wine stains often need professional treatment.
How to remove pet urine from carpet
Blot as much as possible straight away, pressing hard with a thick wad of kitchen paper; standing on it helps. Dab with cold water and blot again to dilute what is left. Then use an enzyme-based cleaner made for pet stains, following its label, as these are designed to break down the residue that causes the smell.
Avoid ammonia-based cleaners, which smell similar to urine and can encourage a pet to use the same spot again. If the urine has soaked into the underlay, surface cleaning may lift the mark but not the smell, which is a sign that professional cleaning is needed.
Stains to be careful with
Ink, nail varnish, paint, dye, hair colour, mud and wax each need their own approach, and the wrong solvent can melt synthetic fibres or strip colour. Let mud dry completely and vacuum it before treating any mark that remains. For candle wax, see our guide to getting candle wax out of carpet. When in doubt, blot, keep the area dry and get advice rather than experimenting.
When to call a professional
Call a professional if a stain has spread or set, if it keeps coming back as the carpet dries, if a smell remains after cleaning, or if the carpet is wool, silk or another delicate fibre and you are unsure what is safe. Some long-standing marks cannot be removed completely, and a professional can tell you what is realistic.
We clean household carpets and rugs across south Essex and assess spills and marks before work begins. Tell us what caused a mark, if you know, and how long it has been there when you ask for a quote.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best homemade carpet stain remover?
For most fresh stains, a few drops of clear washing-up liquid in cold water, dabbed on and blotted off, then rinsed with plain water. Test it on a hidden area first.
Why has the stain come back after drying?
This is called wicking. Residue deep in the pile or backing rises to the surface as the carpet dries. Blot again, rinse with a little cold water and dry with a weighted pad of kitchen paper.
Should I use hot water on carpet stains?
No. Cold or lukewarm water is safer. Hot water can set protein stains such as vomit, blood and milk, and can damage wool.
Can old carpet stains be removed?
Sometimes. Older stains are harder because they have had time to bond with the fibres. A professional clean can often improve them, but some may lighten rather than disappear.
Related guides
- How to get candle wax out of carpet: freeze, scrape and lift: how to remove spilt candle wax from carpet, and how to deal with the coloured stain it can leave.
- How to deep clean a carpet: from a proper vacuum to using a carpet cleaning machine without over-wetting, the steps that make a home deep clean work.
- Carpet steam cleaning vs shampooing: what people mean by steam cleaning, how it differs from shampooing and low-moisture cleaning, and which suits which carpet.
- How long does carpet take to dry after cleaning?: why drying time varies from home to home, what speeds it up, and how to look after a damp carpet until it is fully dry.
- How often should carpets be cleaned?: why the right interval depends on footfall, pets, children and your carpet's care guidance, and the signs that a carpet is due a clean.
- What affects the cost of carpet cleaning: the factors that change a carpet cleaning quote for homes and businesses, what a good quote includes and how to compare quotes.