Crazy Long List: How to Clean the Worst 74 Stains

Important for all kinds of stains: 1. Act quickly: because 99% of the stains can be removed in the exact moment they happened. “The longer a stain reacts chemically with the carpeting, the harder it is to remove.” 2. Try water first: before you try anything else, try with water. Eighty percent of stains can be removed using plain tap water. 3. Blot – don’t rub or scrub: Scrubbing a stain will damage the fibers and create a fuzzy area. Don’t create a bigger problem. 4. Keep calm and be patient.

Tools & Materials

You’ll need a good vacuum cleaner as well as a shop vacuum, sponges, and a DIY steam-cleaning machine.

Keep It Clean

“Regular vacuuming is your carpet’s best friend,” says Forte. “Dirt is gritty, and actually wears at the fibers.” Vacuum at least once a week, and more often if you have pets, allergies, or lots of dirty-foot traffic. Place mats at doors and institute a no-shoe policy indoors.

1. Beer

The beer is man’s best friend. Especially from Friday to Sunday. That’s why beer stains can happen so easily. How to treat them on fabric? Easy three steps: “Step 1: Soak the stained fabric in cool water for approximately half an hour. Step 2: Pretreat the stain caused by beer with a laundry prewash stain remover. Step 3: Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain, and either chlorine bleach if the fabric will allow it, or oxygen bleach if not.”

2. Blood

Anyone who hear about blood stains is stressed and panicked. Cleaning blood is absolutely not the best thing that can happen to you. How to deal with it? Blot the area with a paper towel before you spray it with a mixture of two spoons of ammonia to 1 cup of water. Blot it again and clean a mixture of detergent and water to remove the stain. In case you don’t have ammonia, you can use vinegar. For better results you can repeat the whole process.

3. Coffee

The easiest way to clean your carpet from coffee stains is to use dish-washing liquid. Mix it with water and mark the spot. Other option is to use vinegar. It is important to be apple cider vinegar. Mix it with double portions water

4. Cat urine

We all love cats, but when they pie to your carpet, you have a serious problem. When a cat urinates on carpet or upholstery, it leaves both a stain and an odor. The best scenario is to clean the area as soon as possible to prevent it from soaking through to the backing and pad below and to avoid any permanent bleaching prevent it from soaking through to the backing. Run the fabric, inside out, under the cold (not warm or hot) water to flush out as much of the dog or cat urine or feces as possible. Pretreat the stain with liquid enzyme laundry detergent, soaking for 30 minutes in cold water, or in the alternative pretreat with an enzyme pretreater. Do not use hot water. Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain, and either chlorine bleach if the fabric will allow it, or color safe bleach if not.

5. Urine 2

Okay, one more option for urine cleaning. If you think it’s disgusting and you can’t do it, then you can try with carpet cleaner. “You may want to rent a professional-quality steam cleaner from a grocery store or rental center because of the additional power. With rental fees and the price of cleaning solutions (shampoo, defoamer, spot removers, odor removers, and more), a rental machine can quickly strain your household budget. But it may be a better value if your carpets don’t show dirt, your kids are grown, or you don’t own four-legged pets.”

6. Nail polish

Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth. Wait one hour or until the carpet completely dries. If the stain is getting lighter, repeat these steps until it is gone.

7. Ketchup

Try with ammonia, an alkali, neutralizes acidic spills. You should mix: 1 tablespoon in 1/2 cup water. Never use on wool; it can destroy the fibers. Instead, dilute spill with plain water.

8. Soy sauce

Try with ammonia, an alkali, neutralizes acidic spills. You should mix: 1 tablespoon in 1/2 cup water. Never use on wool; it can destroy the fibers. Instead, dilute spill with plain water.

9. Makeup

Rubbing Alcohol, a mild “dry-cleaner,” dissolves oily or waxy materials and is much safer than solvents in commercial spot removers. Mix: Use full strength from bottle. Do not let it puddle; it may destroy the carpet backing.

10. Hand lotion

Rubbing Alcohol, a mild “dry-cleaner,” dissolves oily or waxy materials and is much safer than solvents in commercial spot removers. Mix: Use full strength from bottle. Do not let it puddle; it may destroy the carpet backing.

11. Mascara

Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth. Wait one hour or until the carpet completely dries. If the stain is getting lighter, repeat these steps until it is gone.

12. Berries

Hydrogen Peroxide bleaches these stains without breaking down carpet dyes. Mix: Buy 3 percent solution at a drugstore and use full strength.

13. Chocolate

Hydrogen Peroxide bleaches these stains without breaking down carpet dyes. Mix: Buy 3 percent solution at a drugstore and use full strength.

14. Tea

Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the stain with vinegar solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until the stain is removed

15. Butter

Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth. Wait one hour or until the carpet completely dries. If the stain is getting lighter, repeat these steps until it is gone.

16. Dirt, mud

Vacuum any dry dirt to remove as much as possible. Dip a white cloth into detergent solution and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth.

Dip another dry white cloth in lukewarm water and dab repeatedly, then press it on the spot for a few seconds.

17. Chewing gum, wax

Gently rub the spot with a Ziploc bag filled with ice cubes until the stain hardens. Shatter it with a blunt object, such as a spatula, and vacuum up the chips. Apply a small amount of solvent with a white cloth, then blot. Rinse by blotting with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water.

18. Gravy

Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Wait 15 minutes to dry. Repeat if necessary. Rinse by blotting with a white cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth.

19. Mayonnaise

Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Wait 15 minutes to dry. Repeat if necessary. Rinse by blotting with a white cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth.

20. Ballpoint Ink

Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Wait 15 minutes to dry; repeat if necessary. Rinse by blotting with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water.

21. Permanent Felt-Tip Marker

Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Wait 15 minutes to dry. Dip a white cloth into detergent solution and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth. Rinse by blotting with a white cloth soaked in lukewarm water.

22. Raspberry

You should mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water. For best results use a clean white cloth and sponge ste stain with the detergent. Blot until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat.

23. Tomato

Skip the dry-cleaning solvent. Rub the spot with a liquid laundry detergent. Launder in the washing machine in the hottest water possible for the fabric. If that doesn’t work, try first the oxygen bleach and then, if that fails, the chlorine bleach.

24. Peanut butter

Skip the dry-cleaning solvent. Rub the spot with a liquid laundry detergent. Launder in the washing machine in the hottest water possible for the fabric. If that doesn’t work, try first the oxygen bleach and then, if that fails, the chlorine bleach.

25. Shoe polish

Begin by applying a dry-cleaning solvent, available from pharmacies. Rub with a liquid detergent and scrub in hot water. This should remove the oily or waxy part. Launder, using a laundry detergent and an oxygen or all-fabric bleach. Inspect before drying. If the spot persists, try washing with chlorine bleach.

26. Red wine

You can try club soda to help remove a stain. Use the soda on a rag or paper towel to blot the stain until it diminishes. Another common household ingredient that can assist with removing red wine is vinegar. In a spray bottle, add equal parts vinegar and water. You can spray the surface with this solution, then dab with a clean rag to lift away the stain.

27. Cream

You can remove a cream spot with the following DIY cleaning detergent: a mixture of one cup warm water with two spoons liquid soap.

28. Honey

Dissolve 2 spoons salt in 1/2 cup white vinegar. Treat the honey spot with the DIY detergent.

29. Chewing gum

Rub the stain with a plastic bag filled with ice cubes until it hardens. Then, gently take the chewing gum away from the textile flooring.

30. Yogurt

Scrape off any excess yogurt from the floor and pour some washing powder on it. Scrub gently the spot, rinse it out and let the carpet dry.

31. Olive oil

Put some cornstarch on the stain to absorb it, let it soak in for half an hour and wipe it with a dry towel.

32. Carrot juice

Treat the stain with laundry prewash stain remover and rinse it out with warm water.

33. White wine

Make the superhero of DIY cleaners: a mixture of one tablespoon baking soda, two spoons vinegar and one spoon liquid soap. Apply the cleaning solution on the carpet and say goodbye to the stain.

34. Beer

Bloth up the beer, apply some liquid dishwasher on the stain and scrub until in vanishes.

35. Milk

Absorb the milk with a white towel and pour some baking soda on the spot. Leave it for 30 minutes and then remove it.

36. Strawberries

Mix a solution of 2/3 of a cup of rubbing alcohol and one tablespoon of white vinegar.

Using this solution, sponge the spot with a clean white cloth. Next, blot until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat steps 3-4 until the strawberry stain is removed from the upholstery. Now that the spot is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

37. Grass

Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Using this solution, sponge the stain from the grass with a clean white cloth. Next, blot at the stain until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat steps 2-3 until the stain from the grass is removed from the upholstery. If this completely removes the stain, you will next get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

38. Avocado

Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Using this solution, sponge the avocado stain with a clean white cloth. Next, blot at the solution until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat steps 3-4 until the avocado stain is removed from the upholstery. Now that the avocado stain is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

39. Baby food

Scrape off any excess baby food from the upholstery. Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Using this solution, sponge the stain with a clean white cloth. Next, blot until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat steps 3-4 until the spots are removed from the upholstery. Now that the stain is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

40. Baby oil

Blot up as much of the baby oil as possible from the upholstery without spreading the stain further. Place an absorbent, such as cornstarch or baking soda, onto the spot, and let it soak in for approximately 15 minutes. Scrape or vacuum up the absorbent, which has absorbed some of the baby oil. For the baby oil still remaining take a clean white cloth and sponge the stain caused by the baby oil with a dry cleaning solvent.

Next, blot at the solution until the solvent is absorbed. Repeat steps 4-5 until the stains are removed from the upholstery.

41. Banana

Scrape off any excess banana from the upholstery. Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Using this solution, sponge the stain from the bananas with a clean white cloth. Next, blot at the solution until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat steps 3-4 until the banana stain is removed from the upholstery. Now that the stain is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

42. Cherry

Scrape off any excess cherry from the upholstery, or blot up any excess juice, being careful not to spread the spot further. Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Using this solution, sponge the spot with a clean white cloth. Next, blot at the solution until the liquid is absorbed. Rinse with white vinegar, and blot with a clean white cloth. Repeat steps 3-5 until the stain is removed from the upholstery. Now that the spot is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

43. Eggs

Scrape off any excess egg from the upholstery. Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Using this solution, sponge the spot with a clean white cloth. Next, blot at the stain until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat steps 3-4 until it is removed from the upholstery. Now that it is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

44. Grapefruit

Blot as much of the grapefruit juice up from the upholstery as possible, with paper towels or a clean white cloth, being careful not to spread the stain further. Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Using this solution, sponge the stain from the grapefruit juice with a clean white cloth. Next, blot at the stain until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat steps 3-4 until the stain from the grapefruit is removed from the upholstery.

45. Grape juice

First, you can mix a solution of one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups warm water, and try that as a stain removal solution. Second, try mixing a solution of one tablespoon of liquid dish detergent and two cups of warm water, and use this as a stain removal solution.

46. Ice-cream

Мix a solution of one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups warm water, and use this as a cleaning solution.

47. Jelly

First, you can mix a solution of one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups warm water, and try that as a stain removal solution. Second, try mixing a solution of one tablespoon of liquid dish detergent and two cups of warm water, and use this as a stain removal solution.

48. Kiwi

Mix a solution of one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups warm water, and use this as a stain removal solution.

49. Lemon

Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Using this solution, sponge the stain from the lemon juice with a clean white cloth. Next, blot at the stain until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat steps 2-3 until the lemon stains are removed from the upholstery. Now that the stain is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

50. Lime

Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Using this solution, sponge the stain from the lime juice with a clean white cloth. Next, blot at the stain until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat steps 2-3 until the lime juice stains are removed from the upholstery. Now that the stain is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

51. Mango

Mix a solution of one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups warm water, and use this as a stain removal solution.

52. Margarine

Scrape up as much of the margarine as possible from the upholstery without spreading the stain further. Place an absorbent, such as cornstarch or baking soda, onto the stain, and let it soak in for approximately 15 minutes. This will help absorb the oily portion of the stain caused by the margarine. Scrape or vacuum up the absorbent, which has absorbed some of the margarine. For the margarine still remaining take a clean white cloth and sponge the stain caused by it with a dry cleaning solvent.

53. Onion

Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Using this solution, sponge the spot with a clean white cloth. Next, blot until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat steps 3-4 until the onion stain is removed from the upholstery.

54. Pomegranate

Scrape off any excess pomegranate from the upholstery. Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Using this solution, sponge the spot with a clean white cloth. Next, blot until the liquid is absorbed. Rinse with white vinegar, and blot with a clean white cloth. Repeat steps 3-5 until the stain is removed from the upholstery.

55. Salsa

Mix a solution of one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups warm water, and use this as a stain removal solution. CAUTION: Since vinegar is an acid and ammonia is a base, using one after the other in an attempt to remove stains will just neutralize the effects of both, so thoroughly rinse one solution before applying another.

56. Sunscreen

Blot up as much of the sunscreen as possible from the upholstery without spreading the stain further. Place an absorbent, such as cornstarch or baking soda, onto the stained area, and let it soak in for approximately 15 minutes. This will help absorb the oily residue from the spot. Scrape or vacuum up the absorbent, which has absorbed some of the sunscreen. For the remaining spot take a clean white cloth and sponge the stain with a dry cleaning solvent. Next, blot at the stain until the solvent is absorbed. Repeat steps 4-5 until the spot is removed from the upholstery.

57. Toothpaste

Scrape off as much toothpaste as possible from the upholstery. Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Using this solution, sponge the stain from the toothpaste with a clean white cloth. Next, blot at the stain until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat steps 3-4 until the stain is removed from the upholstery.

Now that the stain is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

58. Banana

Mix a solution of one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups warm water and use this as a stain removal solution.

59. Poop

The best way to approach poop stain removal is to first make sure you know which type of surface you’re working with. If you’re wondering how to remove feces stains from carpet, for example, it’s best to know what kind of fibers your carpet has. If you’ve encountered a poop stain on an antique rug, you may want to look into professional carpet cleaning before spraying any old cleaner directly onto it.

• Poop-Off All Marine Bird Poop Remover Brush Top

• Fizzion Pet Stain & Odor Remover Refill Tablets

• BlueMagic 900 Carpet Stain & Spot Lifter

• KIDS ‘N’ PETS Brand – Stain & Odor Remover

60. Vomit

Put the garment in a large bowl, depending on the size of the garment. Pour a bit of cold water directly onto the vomit stain. Apply baking soda on the stain. Use enough baking soda to completely cover the stain. Using lemon juice, pour a bit of it over the stain until it starts to fizz. As soon as it starts to fizz, rub the stain vigorously with a cloth or brush. Rinse the stain with cold water. Pour a generous amount of dish detergent directly onto the stain. Soak the garment in cold water for 30 minutes. Wring out the garment to remove any excess water. The vomit stain should no longer be visible.

61. Glue

Cover the glue stain with a thin cloth. Using a household iron, begin to heat up the glue by running a hot iron over the cloth, which is sitting on top of the glue stain. The glue should turn into a liquid substance, which will then be absorbed into the thin cloth. If you do a lot of arts and crafts and use hot glue guns, this is a particularly good way to get rid of unwanted glue stains or small drippings.

62. Water-based paint

If the paint stain is still wet, simply blot the spot with a wet paper towel – don’t scrub, just blot. If the paint stain is dry, use hot water and a little bit of dish detergent. Let the solution sit for a few minutes to soften the paint. Once the paint is softened, use a knife or pin to scrape the paint stain. Continue to add more solution as you scrape. If the paint is still not softening, consider using a handheld steamer while you scrape to eventually remove the paint stain from the carpet.

63. Latex paint

Blot the spot to remove as much wet paint as possible – don’t scrub, or you’ll push the paint further down into the carpeting. Mix a cup of lukewarm water with one teaspoon of dishwashing detergent – just make sure the detergent is mild. Work from the outside of the paint stain to the inside, gently blotting the affected area. After letting the area dry completely, follow up by vacuuming.

64. Oil based stains

If the paint stain is dry, you’ll want to use a steamer to soften the stain. Apply steam directly to the stain. Simultaneously pick at the paint stain with a needle or a pin to try and break it up. Continue until stain is removed, without damaging fibers. So the next time you see a paint stain in your carpet, follow these handy ways to eliminate it in minutes.

65. Whiskey

Soak for 15 minutes in mixture of one quart lukewarm water, one-half teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon white vinegar. Rinse. Sponge with rubbing alcohol, using light motions from center to edge of stain. Soak for 30 minutes in one quart warm water with one tablespoon enzyme presoak products. If color stain remains, launder in chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric, or in oxygen bleach.

66. Tempera paint

Pretreat the stain with heavy-duty liquid detergent. Rinse. Soak fabric in dilute solution of all-fabric powdered bleach. If stain persists and garment is white or colorfast, soak entire garment in diluted solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water. Chlorine bleach may change the color of the garment or cause irreversible damage. Check for bleach tolerance on a hidden seam. If stain does not come out in 15 minutes of bleaching, if cannot be removed by bleaching. If bleaching is not safe or does not work, use a commercial color remover according to package directions. Note that color remover will take out the fabric color as well as the stain. Do not exceed 160 degrees.

67. Soot

Vacuum using crevice tool of vacuum cleaner to remove the soot. If all, or most, of the soot has not been removed, call a professional cleaner. If vacuuming has removed all particles go to the next step to remove any traces. Remove as much of the foreign material as possible by blotting with a white paper towel or scraping with a dull knife. Apply rubbing alcohol to a clean white cloth, white paper towel or cotton ball. If the spot extends deep into the pile use a blotting motion until the spot is removed or no color is transferred to the cloth. Do not allow the alcohol to penetrate into the backing as this will destroy the latex bond. If the spot is on the surface only, rub in one direction at a time. Never use a circular motion to remove the spot as this may destroy the texture. Stop if spot is removed. If not, continue with the next step.

Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot. (To make the detergent solution mix 1/4 teaspoon of a hand dishwashing detergent which does not contain lanolin or bleach with 1 quart of water) Use a blotting motion to work the detergent into the affected area. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent solution and blotting with a white paper towel until spot is removed. Rinse with tap water using a spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture. Spray lightly with water, do not blot this time; apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry. If there is still some stain on the carpet and blotting is not removing it, then moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let stand for on (1) hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Light will cause peroxide to change back to water so no rinsing is necessary. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

68. Salsa

Mix one (1) tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with two (2) cups of warm water. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.

Blot until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears or no more stain is absorbed into the cloth. If the stain remains, mix one (1) tablespoon of ammonia with ½ cup of warm water. (Caution: Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia – resulting fumes that are hazardous). Sponge the stain with the ammonia solution. Blot until the liquid is absorbed. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

69. Peanut butter

Scrape off excess foreign material. Using an eye dropper, apply a small amount of acetone to the stains. (Caution: Do not use acetone on fabrics containing acetate or triacetate. It will melt the fibers! Blot immediately. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the dry cleaning solvent. Blot until the solvent is absorbed. If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water. Sponge the stain with this solution. Blot until the liquid is absorbed. Sponge with cold water and blot dry to remove the detergent/vinegar solution.

70. Melon

Scrape off excess foreign material. Mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with two cups of warm water. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution. Blot until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the stain disappears. If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups of warm water. (Caution: Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia – fumes are hazardous) Sponge the stain with the ammonia solution. Blot until the liquid is absorbed. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

71. Coca Cola

Blot with a white paper towel to remove as much of the stain as possible, then neutralize with a white vinegar solution (1/3 cup WHITE vinegar in 2/3 cup of water). Saturate spot with white vinegar solution, using a spray bottle and blot to remove excess moisture. Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot. (To make the detergent solution mix 1/4 teaspoon of a hand dishwashing detergent which does not contain lanolin or bleach with 1 quart of water) Use a blotting motion to work the detergent into the affected area. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with a white paper towel until spot is removed. Rinse with tap water using a spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture. Spray lightly with water, do not blot this time; apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry. If there is still some stain on the carpet and blotting is not removing it, then moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let stand for on (1) hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Light will cause peroxide to change back to water so no rinsing is necessary. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

72. Concealer (Makeup)

Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the dry cleaning solvent. Blot until the solvent is absorbed. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.

73. Crayon

Remove as much of the foreign material as possible by blotting with a white paper towel or scraping with a dull knife. Apply rubbing alcohol to a clean white cloth, white paper towel or cotton ball. If the spot extends deep into the pile use a blotting motion until the spot is removed or no color is transferred to the cloth. Do not allow the alcohol to penetrate into the backing as this will destroy the latex bond. If the spot is on the surface only, rub in one direction at a time. Never use a circular motion to remove the spot as this may destroy the texture. Stop if spot is removed. If not, continue with the next step. Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot. (To make the detergent solution mix 1/4 teaspoon of a hand dishwashing detergent which does not contain lanolin or bleach with 1 quart of water) Use a blotting motion to work the detergent into the affected area. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent solution and blotting with a white paper towel until spot is removed. Rinse with tap water using a spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture.

Spray lightly with water, do not blot this time; apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry. If there is still some stain on the carpet and blotting is not removing it, then moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let stand for on (1) hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Light will cause peroxide to change back to water so no rinsing is necessary. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

74. Stains from hair dye, black or brown

Pretreat the stain with heavy-duty liquid detergent. Rinse. Soak fabric in dilute solution of all-fabric powdered bleach. If stain persists and garment is white or colorfast, soak entire garment in diluted solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water. Chlorine bleach may change the color of the garment or cause irreversible damage. Check for bleach tolerance on a hidden seam. If stain does not come out in 15 minutes of bleaching, if cannot be removed by bleaching. If bleaching is not safe or does not work, use a commercial color remover according to package directions. Note that color remover will take out the fabric color as well as the stain. Do not exceed 160 degrees Fahrenheit water with any synthetic fabrics*. Launder.

One more important thing: you should definitely professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime.