Carpet Flooring Stain Guide
Carpet adds warmth and style to any space, but it’s prone to spills and stains that can dull its appearance and shorten its lifespan. Quick, effective cleaning is key to keeping your carpet fresh, vibrant, and long-lasting.
Common Carpet Flooring Stains
Carpets face a range of stains, from everyday spills like coffee and juice to stubborn marks like ink or pet accidents. Each type needs the right approach, as no single solution works for all spills. Keep a few basics on hand: carpet flooring stain remover, bicarbonate soda, white vinegar, clean cloths, and absorbent paper towels.
Effective stain treatment
Always blot, don’t rub, to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Choose your cleaning method based on the stain type, then follow up with a rinse and finish by covering the spot with paper towel weighed down by a book.
Below is your quick-reference stain treatment table
Please note: these suggestions are offered in good faith. No liability will be accepted for any reason on behalf of Simons Carpets Strathpine or floor covering manufacturer/s.
If in any doubt, please contact a professional cleaner.
Treatment Notes
Option 1) Dry cleaning fluid of white spirits, commonly referred to as ‘solvents’.
Option 2) Commercially available carpet or upholstery cleaner.
Option 3) Soda water, or mix 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate soda in 1L of warm water.
Option 4) Rinse: use a mixture of one part white vinegar in 10 parts of warm water.
Type of Spill Use 1st Use 2nd Use 3rd
White wine 3 4
Red wine 3 4 Salt then 4
Beer 3 4
Cola drinks 3 4
Coffee/tea 3 2 4
Fruit juice 3 2 4
Soft drinks/cordial 3 4
Artificially coloured drinks 2 4
Milk 2 4
Butter 1 2 4
Chocolate 1 2 4
Cream 2 4
Egg (raw) 2 4
Gravy & sauces 2 4
Mustard 3 2 4
Chewing gum Chill with aerosol freezing agent or ice cubes in a plastic bag, pick or scrape off gum Chill with aerosol freezing agent or ice cubes in a plastic bag, pick or scrape off gum Chill with aerosol freezing agent or ice cubes in a plastic bag, pick or scrape off gum
Blood 3 2 4
Urine 3 4
Faeces 2 4
Ink - ball point pen 1
Ink - printer 1
Lipstick 1
Oil/grease 1
Paint - water based 3 2 4
Paint - oil based 1
Shoe polish 1
Tar 1
Nail polish Clear nail varnish remover without lanolin Clear nail varnish remover without lanolin Clear nail varnish remover without lanolin
Rust Rust remover to be applied by professional carpet cleaner Rust remover to be applied by professional carpet cleaner Rust remover to be applied by professional carpet cleaner
Always finish by covering with a thick wad of paper towel and weight with a book to draw out remaining fluids.
