Removing Dirt Stains

Plain dirt is perhaps the most common thing to get in our carpet, and fortunately removing dirt stains is usually not that difficult. If large areas of carpeting are dirty, just call a professional cleaner. But if it is just some isolates spots, you can take the following steps.

To start with, if there is mud, let it dry. If there is dried mud, scrape out what you can using the edge of a spoon, and then vacuum the area. Then you are ready to get out the dirt which has worked its way into the carpet fibers.

Use water to start. A spray bottle gives you more control, so you can apply water carefully without spreading the stain. Spray, let it soak in for a moment or two, and blot it up with a clean white cotton cloth or plain white paper towels. Repeat this process until you no longer see dirt transferring to the cloth. That may be enough to get it all, but if not, on to the the next step...

Mix about 1/8 teaspoon of Dawn or Joy dish washing detergent into two cups of warm water. Apply this (that spray bottle works well, otherwise be careful and use your finger tips) to the spot and work it in very gently (no heavy rubbing or you might damage the fibers). Blot the spot with a clean cloth or paper towels and repeat the process until you see no more stain transfer on the cloth.

Rinse the area repeatedly with plain water, removing it between applications using a wet/dry vacuum cleaner or by blotting it up with a cloth. Dry the spot quickly with a fan blowing on it. Fast drying prevents any dirt that is lower down in the fibers from migrating up to the top where it would be visible.

If that procedure is not enough, you can try removing dirt stains using 3% hydrogen peroxide. Apply it with the corner of a cloth or with cotton swabs. Let this stay on the fibers for an hour. Blot it up, rinse and dry.

It the stains appear to be permanent, see the following page for options:

Permanent Stains