What's the best way to remove stains ?

Question

My friend's little boy spilled some sweet and sour sauce on my carpet . I was able to pick up most of it, but I need to know how to clean up the rest of it . I also need to know how to remove a Kool -- Aid stain from a throw rug .

Answer 1

Those are two difficult stains. Are they both red? If so, they have the notorious red food dye in them.

A great non-toxic carpet stain remover is club soda. Soak spot immediately with soda and blot until the stain is gone.

Red wine stains can be removed from carpet by rubbing baking soda in and vacuuming, so that might work for other red food stains.

For the greasy stain of the sauce you might want to let baking soda sit on it overnight, and remove the excess next day and vacuum.

These links should help. Good luck with it.

Answer 2

The best way to remove "right now" stains is to have "baby wipes" on hand. Immediately blot the stained area with a "baby wipe" UNTIL stain disappears. Use a fresh (new) "baby wipe" after each blotting. If no baby wipes are on hand (get some for future use) and sponge such stains promptly with cool water. This simple treatment will remove many of them. Or soak them with cool water for 30 minutes or more. Some may need to be soaked overnight. After sponging or soaking, work undiluted liquid detergent into the stain and rinse. If the stain remains, you may have to use a bleach.

Old stains and stains that have been set by heat are in the "difficult, or perhaps even, impossible" class.

The sweet and sour sauce stain is caused by red dye.

Since time has now passed, try a citrus based cleaning product and let it stand (as the typical product label reads) for 5 to 10 minutes to penetrate and breakdown the stain. Blot the area with a clean, dry, white absorbent cloth, pressing down firmly without rubbing for 30 seconds. Continue repeating the blotting process until the area becomes dry and odor free. Citrus based cleaning products may be used on almost any type of mattress stain.

Since your KOOL-AID stain still remains, try using a light spray (mist) of vinegar onto the stain and allow it “breakdown” the remaining stain for an hour. To “lift” excess KOOL-AID/vinegar liquids from the mattress, cover the affected area with a dry, clean, thick towel. To assist in absorption, evenly apply “weight” to the top of the towel (if empty boxes are available, place boxes on towel and fill boxes with weight…like books, toys, whatever is nearby). Let absorption work for ½ hour and then remove the “weight” and towel. Reapply a vinegar spray once again and immediately blot it with a dry, clean cloth. Repeat reapplying a vinegar spray and blotting until the stain is completely removed.

ALWAYS work on a stain from the outside perimeter to the inside. This will save you from spreading the stained area.

I have compliled an ebook (free info) for removing mattress stains. The tips in the ebook will work on carpets and clothes also. See below for the link to the free info.

Answer 3

You can use a laundry pre treater with out bleach for both. It will not ahrm your carpet but it will remove the stains. If you have berber carpet use the woolite laundry soap. Hope this helps....