How Do Old Stains Get Out of Carpet? Complete Guide 2025

Carpet is an essential home decor & floor covering element that will help provide coziness and improve the aesthetics of your place. Like every home decorative element, carpets & best flooring also need maintenance and cleaning. Even a minor stain can ruin their overall appearance.

So, it is mandatory to clean the spill immediately to minimize the chances of a stain that is difficult to remove. Unfortunately, if the carpet stains get old for some reason, there is nothing to worry about. In this blog, Arabiccurtains.ae is going to tell you how do old stains get out of carpet. Also, we’ll be able to enlist some effective tips and tricks to remove disgusting old stains from your luxurious carpet. So, let’s start learning.

How To Clean Disgusting Carpet Stain Step By Step Guide

Before going to the step-by-step guide on how to get old stains out of carpet, let’s explore the tools and materials required during the process.

Clean Microfiber Cloth
Carpet Cleaner/ Homemade Cleaner
Water
Bowl / Spray Bottle
Spoon
Vacuum cleaner

DIY Methods To Clean Old Stains On Carpets

Here are some methods that will help you easily remove old stains from the carpet. You do not need to move your furniture upholstery to hide these stains.

Hard Stains removing methods

With Baking Soda And Vinegar Solution

The first and most effective way to remove old pet and coffee stains from the carpet is to use baking soda, also known as a natural carpet stain remover and vinegar. To make the vinegar solution, take a spray bottle and add 50 ml of vinegar. You can increase the quantity according to stain coverage.

Mix equal amounts of water in the spray bottle thoroughly to make a homogenous solution. Now, cover the entire stain with the baking soda layer. Sprinkle the vinegar solution over the baking soda and leave it for 5 minutes. Now, start blotting the stain with a clean cloth. After that, you can vacuum-clean the area.

Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment

The second method for removing old stains from your carpet is to use hydrogen peroxide. Before applying the hydrogen peroxide, make sure to clean the carpet. Here, you must ensure that the hydrogen peroxide is less than 3% concentrated.

Use a bowl or spray bottle, add hydrogen peroxide, and mix it with an equal amount of water. Now spray this home-made carpet cleaner mixture over the stain and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes. You can use a soft fabric in white color to blot the stain. After that, use a steam vacuum cleaner to extract the solution from the carpet fibers. Always wear gloves and safety goggles when dealing with hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, check the proper ventilation. Always open the windows and door for maximum airflow.

Try Water, Vinegar And Dish Washing Liquid

The third DIY method is to try water, vinegar, and dishwashing liquid over the old stain. For this purpose, you will need a bowl. Add almost one cup of vinegar to it. Use two to three tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and mix it thoroughly. When the liquid is mixed, add one cup of water. Now blot the stain with the solution and leave it for 10 minutes.

Use a soft microfiber cloth or paper to clean the stain. With this homemade stain cleaner, approximately 80% of the stain will vanish.

Using Club Soda As a Stain Remover

Club soda is widely used in the home to clean different stains. You can buy this soda from any grocery shop. Pour the club soda over the old stain and leave it for some time before blotting. If the stain is mild, leave it for 2 to 3.

For moderate stains, wait for at least 5 minutes before blotting. Use the club soda 3 times on the stain for the tough and old stains and leave it for 15 minutes.

Use Borax To Clean The Old Stains

Borax is alkaline and effective in cleaning old stains from carpets without damaging their fibers and colors. To prepare the borax solution, add an equal amount of borax and warm water to the spray bottle and mix it gently until dissolved thoroughly. You can also add 4 to 5 drops of dishwashing liquid to enhance its cleaning power.

Spray the solution over the stubborn and leave it untouched for 10 to 15 minutes. Now wash the area with ice-chilled water and blot it with a microfiber towel or cloth.

Dos or Cleaning Old Stains From Carpet

First of all, explore some points to remove the old stains from your luxury carpets effectively.

Dos and dont's for carpets stains removal

Test The Cleaning Solution

Whatever the carpet cleaning solution you are using, make sure to check it first on the small part of the carpet. Leave it for some time. Check whether the solution damages the carpet or causes discoloration. If none of these effects are observed, then you can apply it directly over the stain.

Always Blot The Stain

Always blot the old stain with a soft, clean microfiber towel or cloth to thoroughly remove it. This will allow you to clean the stain without spreading it.

Understand The Stain Type

Understanding the stain type is essential to remove old stains from carpets. If the stains are organic, like a food or drink spill or a pet stain, then you must use enzyme cleaners because they will instantly remove the stain and odor. On the other hand, non-organic stains like ink and paints will be easily removed with solvent-based cleaners.

Use Cold Water

Always use cold water to remove old stains from the carpets, especially if they are blood or protein stains. Chill water will help remove the maximum stain without setting it.

Dry Carpet Properly

After cleaning the stain, always dry the carpet completely. For this purpose, you can use a hairdryer and open fans, windows and doors.

Don’ts for Cleaning The Old Stains From Carpet

Read the below-mentioned points thoroughly and avoid them while cleaning the old stains from the carpet.

Do Not Rub Aggressively

Never rub or scrub the stain with a cloth or towel while cleaning it over the carpet. Doing so will ultimately damage the carpet fiber and push the stains deep down into the carpet.

Do Not Use Colored Cloth

Do not use colored cloth to clean stains on the carpet, as they may leave their color on the carpet. Always use a white towel or cloth for this purpose.

Avoid Using Harsh Cleaner

Always dilute the carpet cleaner by adding an equal amount of water. Using harsh chemicals can damage the carpet fiber.

Final Words

So this is all about how do old stains get out of carpet? So you can make your own DIY carpet cleaner or purchase one from the market. But never forget to dilute them first. Additionally, it is better to clean the stain immediately, as the old stains are a bit hard to clean and require more time. If you’re looking for custom carpets in Abu Dhabi, consider Arabic Curtains for a wide selection of options.