Stains

Stain Guide

View our stain removal guide for help on how to remove stains from carpets.
Overturned glass and spilled red wine on white carpet indoors, above view

Stain Guide for Carpet & Rug Cleaning

Home spot and stain treatment is an important part of maintaining your carpet. Use these tips to treat spots or spills as soon as possible when they happen.

NEVER USE BLEACH

Bleach can remove lots of stains, unfortunately it will also remove the colour from your carpet.

ACT QUICKLY

The older the stain, the more difficult it is to remove. Absorb liquid with clean white towel or paper towels and scrape up solid material. Work from the outside spot toward the center to avoid spreading it.

TEST SOLUTION FIRST

Test the solution on a portion of the fiber or the carpet that is not normally visible.

BLOT GENTLY BETWEEN STEPS

Rubbing or aggressive blotting can cause a stain to spread or penetrate deeper. A clean white towel or paper towel allows you to see when you are no longer absorbing the spot or stain.

BE PATIENT!

Repeat the procedure several times until no more residue shows on your towel.

About the Solutions In This Guide

Ammonia Solution – One tablespoon of household ammonia(Sudsy) to half a cup of lukewarm water.

Detergent Solution – One teaspoon of laundry detergent(Tide) to one cup of lukewarm water.

Enzyme detergent – Use any laundry detergent that contains enzymes. Mix as detergent above.

Non-Oily Nail Polish Remover – Use undiluted as directed.

Unscented Hair Spray – Great on ink and small tar spots.

Vinegar – Plain undiluted white table vinegar.

Stain Guide

Alcoholic Beverages

1. Flush with warm water or soda water. 2. Blot dry.

Animal Stains

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply ammonia solution. 3. Apply vinegar. 4. Rinse and blot.

Artificial Colours

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar. 3. Rinse. 4. Apply enzyme detergent. 5. Rinse and blot dry.

Beer

1. Flush with warm water and blot dry.

Blood

1. Apply cool detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar. 3. Rinse. 4. Apply enzyme detergent. 5. Rinse with cool water and blot dry.

Chocolate

1. Apply non-oily nail polish remover. 2. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 3. Repeat step. 4. Apply detergent solution. 5. Apply ammonia solution. 6. Rinse and blot.

Coffee/Tea/Cola

1. Flush with cold water or soda water. 2. Blot dry.

Crayon

1. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 2. Repeat step 1. 3. Apply detergent solution. 4. Rinse and blot.

Fruit Juice

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar. 3. Rinse. 4. Apply enzyme detergent. 5. Rinse and blot dry.

Glue

Professional Cleaning Recommended

Grass Stains

1. Apply cool detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar. 3. Rinse. 4. Apply enzyme detergent. 5. Rinse with cool water and blot dry.

Gravy

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar solution. 3. Apply enzyme detergent.

Grease/Oil

1. Apply non-oily nail polish remover. 2. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 3. Repeat step. 4. Apply detergent solution. 5. Apply ammonia solution. 6. Rinse and blot.

Gum

1. Chill with ice cube. 2. Scrape off as much as possible. 3. Apply non-oily nail polish remover.

Ink (Ballpoint)

1. Spray with unscented hair spray (yes, this really works!) 2. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 3. Repeat 1 and 2.

Jello

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar. 3. Rinse. 4. Apply enzyme detergent. 5. Rinse and blot dry.

Ketchup

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar solution. 3. Apply enzyme detergent.

Lipstick

1. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 2. Repeat step 1. 3. Apply detergent solution. 4. Rinse and blot.

Milk

1. Apply warm water or soda water. Dry cleaning solution may also be used. 2. Blot dry.

Mud

1. Let dry. 2. Brush, scrap or vacuum off as much as possible. 3. Apply detergent solution. 4. Rinse and blot dry.

Mustard

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar solution. 3. Apply enzyme detergent.

Nail Polish

1. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 2. Apply non-oily nail polish remover. 3. If stain remains apply detergent solution. 4. Apply ammonia solution. 5. Apply vinegar solution. 6. Rinse and blot dry.

Paint (Latex)

1. Blot up. 2. Rinse with detergent solution.

Paint (Oil-Based)

1. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 2. Apply non-oily nail polish remover. 3. If stain remains apply detergent solution. 4. Apply ammonia solution. 5. Apply vinegar solution. 6. Rinse and blot dry.

Rust

1. Apply vinegar. 2. Let sit 5 min. Repeat twice. If stain remains, Professional Cleaning Recommended

Soda

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar. 3. Rinse. 4. Apply enzyme detergent. 5. Rinse and blot dry.

Tar/Shoe Polish

1. Apply non-oily nail polish remover. 2. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 3. Repeat step. 4. Apply detergent solution. 5. Apply ammonia solution. 6. Rinse and blot.

Urine

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply ammonia solution. 3. Apply vinegar solution. 4. Rinse and blot dry.

Vomit

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply ammonia solution. 3. Apply vinegar solution. 4. Rinse and blot dry.

Wax

1. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 2. Repeat step 1. 3. Apply detergent solution. 4. Rinse and blot.

Wine (Red)

1. First blot with white wine, if stain remains: 2. Apply detergent solution. 3. Apply vinegar solution. 4. Apply ammonia solution. 5. Rinse and blot dry.


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Stain Removal Reviews

My cat caused a spill overnight and they were able to get someone to clean my carpet that day. They were on time and Mark did a great job.I would have preferred if the circumstance of the spill was kept private and not shared with my neighbours though. And it was pretty pricey considering we had only one room cleaned.But overall, they did a good job.

- Savanna Heller

I didn’t have much expectations for my carpet cleaning since the carpet is 13 years old and it has never been cleaned. I had a few marks on the carpet so I figured i would call Alberta carpet cleaning since I’ve used their furnace cleaning division several times and always had a good experience.To say I am happy would be an understatement. My carpets literally look new. He brought them back to life. I was considering replacing them in the next couple years but I honestly see no need to now. They look that good.The tech was on time, professional, answered my questions and did an incredible job.Thank you Alberta carpet cleaning!Services: Clean carpet, Clean upholstery

- Craig L

I needed to get an old basement carpet cleaned before listing the house for sale. There were multiple pet stains on the carpet. I filled out the request form on their website on Sunday, got a call on Monday, and had the cleaner come to my house on Wednesday! The basement was completely empty, so the whole process took less than the quoted time of one hour. The person who came was professional and nice. He did up sell me on the odour removal product, but it smelled surprisingly like lemon. Would recommend.Services: Remove pet stains & odors, Clean carpet

- Karlie Marrazzo

They cleaned very stained carpets from a rental property for me. Carpets Came out close to new. Amazing. Use the stain guard service. It works. Way easier to clean the carpet the next time.Services: Remove pet stains & odors, Clean carpet

- James Cooper

My experience with Alberta carpet cleaning was exceptional. From the first phone call dealing with Jennifer who was extremely helpful personable and professional, she helped me set up two appointments and explain the process. Justin was the gentleman who came to do the carpets, He did try to upsell Without being pushy, even though I did not purchase any extras, I did appreciate him doing his job. Justin was very professional and respected my home and did a great job on the carpets. I would definitely recommend Alberta carpet cleaning!! Very happy customer.

- Connie Leblanc

My entire experience with Alberta Carpet Cleaning was exceptional, from booking to revising my needs to payment. The technician was pleasant, courteous and caring. I am very pleased with how great the carpets looked after the cleaning. Thank-you, Alberta Carpet Cleaning.Service: Clean carpet

- Catherine McTavish

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