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

Very happy with our carpet cleaning today. Jason was awesome! Would totally recommend it if you’re looking for a thorough cleaning. Our home smells very fresh, not overly scented. I do have a strong sensitivity to scent and chemical and so far so good!

- V T

I recently had the pleasure of using Alberta Carpet Cleaning for their furnace and carpet cleaning services, and I am satisfied with the results. From start to finish, their service was professional, efficient, and delivered exceptional outcomes. The team arrived promptly at the scheduled time, and their friendliness immediately put me at ease. They took the time to assess the condition of my furnace and carpets and explain the cleaning process, ensuring I was comfortable with the service they were about to provide. The technicians were careful in their work, paying special attention to high-traffic areas and stubborn stains. The pricing was fair and transparent, with no hidden fees or surprises.

- P Ng

I had paid for a different company to come in and do my carpets, and there wasn't much difference at all. Then I tried Alberta Carpet Cleaning, and all the stains and odors Etc were gone. The carpet looks very, very good now, so we do not have to put in laminate. Oops, I meant to mention the gentleman who did the carpets Jason G. was fantastic , he was friendly and funny and went beyond the customer's expectations by far . I will definitely go with these guys again next time I need carpets done! Thanks again! :) Kate

- Margarita Girl

My couch looks better than when I got it! It smells good, looks good and my technician, Jerrod B, completely understood why I wanted to salvage my couch. He explained the guarantee, told me the after care, ensured everyone in the home was aware of the hoses and cords so no one tripped. The best part about this service was Jerrod, he commented on how nice the couch was, and on the Lego I had in my living room. He was absolutely pleasant to my 8 year old sister, and the pets in the home. He was so nice and friendly to chat to, it was a shame he left! Once he was done, I looked at the couch and he said he was happy how it turned out, and the he tried his best to get it cleaned up ( cat urine is extremely difficult ) overall, if I could give a higher rating I would, the technician was great, thoroughly knowledgable, and early! The couch is better than when I bought it, and I will use their services again if I ever need it. Thank you for saving my couch Jerrod!!!

- Jennifer Phillips