How to remove water stains from carpet

You may be surprised that water, which we usually use for cleaning stains, can cause the stains itself. The moisture absorbs dirt, bringing it to the surface of your carpet and leaving unsightly water stains. Fortunately, there are several ways to remove these stains from your carpet by using ammonia, vinegar and dish soap.

Get rid of water stains using soap and water

You can easily remove water stains with water and dish soap. The soaps formula can penetrate through the dirt on your carpet with ease, allowing you to remove water stains from your carpet swiftly. For this method, you will need:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of dish soap
• A clean non-abrasive cloth
• A spray bottle

The following are the steps for removing water stains using soap and water.

1. Pour 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of dish soap inside the spray bottle. Mix it until you get a foamy solution.
2. Spray the solution on the non-abrasive cloth.
3. Now gently and quickly dab the water stain with the cloth. Don’t put too much pressure, and don’t rub the area with the cloth, as it can spread the stain more.
4. Continue dabbing the stained area until it starts to lighten.
5. Once it visibly lightens, remove the water stain residue using the dry side of the cloth.
6. Double-check if the stain is still present by dabbing the stained area with a clean damp cloth.
7. Once the stain completely diminishes, dry the carpet using a paper towel or clean cloth.

Using water and vinegar to remove water stains

Distilled white vinegar is a great natural stain remover as its acidic property breaks down and dissolves mineral or dirt deposits on your carpet. The cleaning properties of vinegar are more than enough to pull out your carpet’s water stains. For this water stain removal method, you’ll need:

• ¼ teaspoon of vinegar
•  4 cups of water
• A clean non-abrasive cloth
• A mixing bowl

Follow these easy steps to get rid of water stains from your carpet.

1. Mix ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar and 4 cups of water in a mixing bowl.
2. Get a clean cloth and dampen it with the mixture. Make sure not to oversaturate the solution on the cloth to avoid making the stain worse.
3. Grab the cloth and press lightly on the stained area. Don’t apply too much pressure to avoid soaking the carpet and making the stain spread.
4. When the solution has completely broken down the stain, leave it to dry. You may want to use a fan or hairdryer to speed up the drying process.
5. You will see the result gradually as the carpet dries. But if the stain doesn’t completely vanish, repeat the process.
6. If the stain is completely gone, vacuum your carpet to eliminate any residue from the vinegar and water solution.

If the water stain on your carpet is a tough one, let the water and vinegar solution soak on it for 5 to 10 minutes before dabbing it with a clean cloth. Then place a teaspoon of baking soda on the area. Doing this will dry the carpet faster and deodorize it at the same time.

Eliminating stains with ammonia

For more stubborn water stains, we need to rely on chemicals like ammonia. It’s an alkaline product that contains corrosive properties that can easily break down household grime and stains. You will need a spray bottle, a clean cloth, water and ammonia.

For the mixture of the solution, you’ll need to mix 1-part ammonia to 1-part water. You can decide on how much you’re going to make, depending on the stain’s toughness.

These are the steps to remove water stains from your carpet with ammonia.

1. Create a 1:1 solution of ammonia and hot water in your spray bottle.
2. Spray the concoction about once or twice directly on the stain.
3. Place a clean cloth on top of the stain, then gently rub at the spot where the water stain is.
4. Repeat the process until the stain is completely gone.
5. Once the stain disappears, dry off the carpet using a clean cloth or paper towel.

Common questions about water stains

How do you get water out of a carpet?

Whether you spill a glass of water on your carpet or your living room gets flooded due to a natural disaster, you can get rid of water from your carpet using a wet-dry vacuum or pump.

These items help you soak up the water and help you avoid dealing with future water stains. If you don’t have a wet-dry vacuum, you can also use large dry towels to soak up as much water as possible.

What are the things I should never use to clean my carpet?

Bleach is first on the list. Although it does great on whitening your clothes, when you use it on carpets, it can take away its color, ruining your carpet’s overall appearance.

The next thing to avoid is using abrasive cleaners. This tool is an effective dirt remover, but not on carpets. Removing a stain on your carpet using an abrasive cleaner can tear away your carpet’s fibers.

It’s best to avoid using these dirt-removing materials on your carpet cleaning job. They may seem perfect for the job, but it can cost you the price of a new carpet replacement.