Carpet stains are stressful, but most can be removed if you act quickly and use the right method. This guide covers the most common stains we see in South African homes and offices, plus a simple process you can repeat every time.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for:
- Homeowners with wall-to-wall carpet.
- Offices using broadloom carpet.
- Facilities teams maintaining carpeted meeting rooms and reception areas.
If your carpet is wool or a premium blend, always test products on an hidden corner first.
Tools and products you'll need
- White microfibre cloths or paper towel.
- Spray bottle with clean water.
- pH-neutral carpet cleaner.
- White vinegar solution (1 part vinegar, 2 parts water) for light acidic action.
- Spoon or blunt scraper.
- Ice cubes in a plastic bag (for gum).
- Wet/dry vacuum or dry towels.
Avoid coloured cloths (dye transfer), bleach, and aggressive scrubbing brushes.
Step-by-step: the universal stain response
- Blot, never rub. Press gently from the outside of the stain inward.
- Remove solids first. Lift food or mud with a spoon before applying liquid.
- Apply cleaner in small amounts. Spray onto cloth first, then dab the stain.
- Rinse lightly. Dab with clean water to remove cleaner residue.
- Dry thoroughly. Blot until nearly dry, then allow airflow.
Pro tip
Treat stains as soon as possible. A 5-minute response usually needs far less chemical than a 5-hour response.
Targeted fixes for common stains
Coffee
- Blot immediately.
- Dab with diluted carpet cleaner.
- Rinse and blot dry.
- If shadow remains, repeat with a mild vinegar solution.
Red wine
- Blot excess liquid right away.
- Apply cold water in small amounts and keep blotting.
- Use neutral carpet cleaner; repeat until colour stops transferring.
- Finish with rinse-and-dry.
Ink
- Test first in a hidden area.
- Dab gently with a cloth lightly dampened with methylated spirits.
- Do not flood the area.
- Follow with neutral cleaner and rinse.
Chewing gum
- Harden gum with ice in a bag.
- Lift pieces with a blunt scraper.
- Spot clean residue with neutral cleaner.
- Blot dry.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
- Rubbing hard: Frays fibres and spreads the stain.
- Over-wetting: Can push stain deeper and create odour.
- Skipping rinse: Leaves sticky residue that attracts new dirt.
- Using random household chemicals: Can set stains permanently.
If a stain reappears after drying, it is usually wicking (moisture pulling soil up from backing). Re-clean lightly, blot very dry, and repeat once.
Suggested maintenance schedule
- Daily/alternate days (offices): Vacuum traffic lanes.
- Weekly: Full vacuum with slow overlapping passes.
- As needed: Immediate spot treatment.
- Every 6 to 12 months: Professional hot water extraction.
Keep a small stain kit on-site in offices to shorten response time.
When to call a professional
Call a professional cleaner when:
- Stain is old or unknown.
- Stain covers a large area.
- Carpet has odour after DIY cleaning.
- You are dealing with delicate fibres or patterned commercial carpet.
Professional extraction and chemistry can save carpet that looks beyond repair.