How to Prevent Carpet Stains Keep That Keep Coming Back

Cleaning your carpets can give you such satisfying results—that is, until that stain you thought was gone forever resurfaces right in the same spot. Some carpet stains are challenging to remove and will keep showing up–even after you think they’re gone forever. So how do you remove stains in your carpet that keep coming back? The right know-how can banish those stubborn stains for good.

Why Do Carpet Stains Come Back?

So, you cleaned a stain out of your carpet, but then, a few days later, the stain returned. It’s not your eyes playing tricks on you—there are two primary reasons for the reappearance of carpet stains. 

Wicking

Wicking occurs when the spilled substance soaks into the padding and backing of the carpeting, down to the floor. It may look like you've cleaned up a pet accident or a knocked-over glass of wine, but in fact, the liquid had time to seep down to where you can't reach it. 

When you clean your carpet, you’re only scrubbing the surface level of the carpet, while the stain gets trapped in the backing or even the carpet pad. The hidden stain can be reabsorbed  

and bring the original stain back up to the surface through those fibers that you just cleaned. 

Stains due to wicking can be hard to remove since the problem lies deep below the carpet’s surface. The best method to keep wicking from happening is to clean spots and spills as quickly as possible, especially pet stains, which can also carry odors.

Soiling

You meant well when you used a carpet-cleaning solution to wipe up a spill or stain in your carpet. But you may have unknowingly left behind some residue of the cleaning product. If it’s not completely removed, the residue can attract and trap dirt and debris to the same spot, causing a similar-looking stain to occur.

This residue can also remain when professional carpet cleaning companies use detergent-based cleaning products and don't fully rinse them out. Other things that may can cause soiling in your carpet include:

• Adhesive tape

• Grease

• Oil

• Hair spray or other hair products

• Sugar

• Body lotion

• Tanning oil

How to Remove Recurring Carpet Stains

If you’re battling a stubborn stain that doesn’t seem to budge, there are a few methods you can try before having to budget for the cost of a professional carpet cleaning. Some carpet cleaning methods may discolor your carpet, so always test on an inconspicuous spot first.

Vinegar

• Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar and one cup of water.

• Spray the stain with the vinegar mixture, or blot it with a white towel dipped in the solution. (Colored towels may transfer or bleed color.)

• Let it sit for 15 minutes.

• Use firm pressure, and blot the liquid with a dry white towel.

• If the carpet stays wet, place a clean towel over the stain and weigh it down with something heavy to absorb moisture from the carpet fibers.

Ammonia

Mix 1/4 cup of ammonia with one cup of water. Using this solution, follow the above steps to treat a stubborn stain. Use caution when using ammonia around children or pets, and keep them away from the area until it’s fully dry.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a great spot treatment for oil-based stains. For fresh stains, sprinkle cornstarch over the stain, let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, then vacuum it up. For set-in stains, follow these steps:

• Mix cornstarch and vinegar to make a paste that’s thin enough to easily spread without oversaturating the carpet.

• Apply the paste to the stain and let it fully dry. It may take a day or more to dry, so be patient!

• Once it’s dry, use a plastic scraper to gently lift the dried paste off the area.

• Vacuum to remove any remaining cornstarch.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective cleaner for biological stains like blood, urine, or vomit. Remember to test it in an inconspicuous spot first, since peroxide may bleach the carpet fibers.

• Spray the stain with hydrogen peroxide, or saturate the corner of a white towel, and blot the peroxide onto the stain.

• Use a clean white towel, and blot the stain until most of the moisture is gone.

• Repeat, as needed, until the stain lifts.

Clothing Iron

For really stubborn stains, heat can help! 

• Make a solution of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1/2 cup water.

• Blot the stain with the solution until it’s damp (not wet).

• Lay a clean white towel over the stain.

• Using your iron’s high steam setting, run the iron over the towel for 15 to 20 seconds.

• Check the towel to see if the stain has transferred from the carpet.

• Repeat until the stain is removed.

Angi Tip

Some over-the-counter or DIY stain removers can make stains worse. If you are unsure of the material and the stain is over a week old, a professional cleaner will know the correct solution to use.

Caroline Gilbert

Director, Content & Editorial, Angi

Tips For Preventing Recurring Carpet Stains

Photo: Kristina Blokhin / Adobe Stock

Now that we understand what causes carpet stains to reoccur, what can you do to prevent them from happening? Luckily, there are a few measures you can take to ward off these pesky spots.

Wicking Stains

To prevent wicking stains, follow these steps:

• Don't let spills sit for any length of time, especially coffee, soda, or other dark liquids.

• Vacuum regularly to keep your carpet as clean as possible.

• When spills occur, use as little moisture as possible when cleaning them to prevent soaking the pad and backing.

• Use a white towel to gently blot the spill area. 

• If there's a lot of moisture, leave the towel on the carpet overnight and weigh it down with something heavy. This tactic helps sop up the liquid that’s below the padding.

• Vacuum the area once the carpet is dry to clean off any residue.

A more extreme measure to avoid wicking from happening again is pulling up your stained carpet and letting it dry out. If that’s the case, you will need to hire a carpet installer to complete the job.

Soiling Stains

It can seem nearly impossible to keep substances that cause soiling off your carpet, especially when you have pets or an active family. Help prevent soiling stains with these tips:

• Institute a “no shoes” policy in your home.

• Keep food and drinks away from carpeted areas.

• Vacuum your carpet frequently to prevent dirt build-up that can soil it.

• Shampoo the carpet with a non-detergent cleaning solution 2 to 3 times a year for a deeper clean. After shampooing, repeat with just water to remove any residue.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Remove Carpet Stains

While it may be easier to handle smaller stains yourself, you may need to address larger or more stubborn stains by hiring an experienced carpet cleaner. A local carpet cleaning pro will use top-of-the-line equipment so you won’t have to worry about residue being left behind or self-scrubbing a persistent stain.