How to Clean Stainmaster Carpet

Co-authored by Haim Shemesh

Last Updated: October 29, 2020 References

Your carpet was designed to be durable so that cleaning can go as smoothly as possible. Still, sometimes accidents can't be avoided. Some of the most common stains on carpet include wine, urine, and coffee stains.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.} To avoid stains, treat them as soon as you notice a spill or accident. Wash your carpet about twice a year to keep it in its best shape.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Dirt

1
Vacuum the dirt. First, you can remove a lot of the dirt with a vacuum cleaner. Then, you can tackle the remaining stains with soap and water.
2
Use soap and water on the stain. Mix water and ¼ cup (21 grams) of liquid soap into a spray bottle, and then spray this mixture directly onto the stain. Let it sit before rinsing it with warm water.

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3
Use a vinegar-based carpet cleaner. If you cannot remove the stain with simply soap and water, try a homemade vinegar solution. Combine ¼ cup (21 g) baking soda, ¼ cup (21 g) white vinegar, and ½ cup (43 g) of warm water into a spray bottle. Spray this mixture directly onto the stained carpet. Allow it to sit for three to five minutes before rinsing off with warm water.^{[2]
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4
Use a paper towel or washcloth to remove the cleaner. Once you have let the cleaner sit for about 5 minutes, wipe it away using a clean washcloth or a few paper towels.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning Pet Urine

1
Soak up the spill with a paper towel. Take a paper towel or washcloth and remove all that you can by blotting at the stain. You may need more than one towel to do this thoroughly.
2
Apply a cleaning solution. There are many cleaning solutions designed specifically for removing pet waste from carpets, so look for one of these. Spray the solution onto the stain directly.^{[4]
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3
Give the solution time to soak into the rug. You should let the solution sit for at least 5 minutes, so that it has time to soak into the carpet’s fibers and remove the stain.^{[5]
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4
Rinse with cold water. After giving it time to soak, rinse the spot by blotting it with a water-soaked towel. Then, dab it dry it with a clean paper towel or washcloth. If the smell lingers, consider calling in a professional cleaner to help.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning Wine Spills

1
Blot the stain with a paper towel. Use a dry towel or paper towel to dab the stain, removing all that you can in this manner. Avoid rubbing it into to the rug, since this could cause the stain to grow larger.
2
Add salt to the stain. If you cannot treat the stain immediately, sprinkle some salt to the area after blotting it clean. The salt can help to absorb the wine stain.
- When ready to treat the stain, simply vacuum the salt off of the carpet before beginning.
3
Create a mixture using soap and water. Mix together ¼ teaspoon (1.2 milliliter) of dish soap with one cup of warm water. Spray this directly onto the carpet, and let it sit for about five minutes before rinsing with warm water.
4
Use a stronger mixture of vinegar and water. If you are unable to remove the stain with soapy water, try using 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of white vinegar with warm water. Dab or spray this directly onto the stain. Then, rinse using a paper towel dampened with warm water.^{[7]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Should I use a deodorizer when cleaning my carpet?

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Haim Shemesh is a Carpet and Rug Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration, a business based in New York City. Haim specializes in Oriental, Persian, handmade, and antique rug cleaning and repair. He also conducts rug restoration along with fire damage care. He has over 17 years of experience in the carpet cleaning industry. Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration has been awarded Angie's List Super Service Award in 2017 and 2018. Their clients include Staples, Ace Hotel, Momofuku, Banana Republic, and more.

Haim Shemesh

Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Sometimes putting a deodorizer on a stain doesn't really help on its own. Most cleaning companies use a deodorizer built in the shampoo that they use. It helps neutralizing the smells, but putting the deodorizer on a stain alone usually doesn't help the situation get better. Baking soda does have the quality of absorbing smell, and it can help a little bit.