Cleaning old stains on carpets with distilled white vinegar is super easy, but what happens when you don’t have access to it? Don’t worry, if you want to learn how to get old stains out of carpet without vinegar you are in the right place.
Our favorite method involves using a solution of water and dish soap to clean the stain, and this method works great if you don’t have access to vinegar.
This isn’t the only other alternative though, so keep reading to find out three different methods you can use to clean old stains today without the need for vinegar.
3 Ways To Get Old Stains Out Of Carpet Without Vinegar
We’ve rounded up 3 easy ways to get old stains out of carpet without vinegar below.
We highly recommend wearing rubber gloves and a mask for each method, as there could be mold present. You should also spot check any method on a small area of carpet to make sure that it won’t damage your carpet.
1. Dish Soap And Water
The first method involves using just dish soap and water.
Simply mix one cup of water with a few drops of dish soap as required in a small container. Once you have mixed the solution, vacuum the stain thoroughly to get rid of any loose debris.
Once you’ve vacuumed apply the solution using a dishcloth and scrub the stain gently, rinsing regularly in the solution. Try to use as little of the solution as possible, as you want to prevent any excess liquid from seeping into the carpet padding.
Once you’ve scrubbed leave the stain for a couple of minutes so the dish soap can break down any remaining contaminant. After this blot the area gently with a dry towel or rag.
For good measure you can sprinkle the area with baking soda once fully dry and leave this overnight before vacuuming it up – this will help to get rid of any remaining odors or grease.
2. Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide And Dish Soap
Another method involves using baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Make sure to wear gloves and goggles for this method.
For this method start by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda onto the stain and letting this sit for a few minutes. Whilst the baking soda is doing its thing mix 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution with a couple of drops of dish soap as needed.
Gently pour this mixture directly onto the stain and baking soda and scrub gently with a dishcloth. After scrubbing gently blot the area using a towel or rag and leave it to dry afterwards.
Once fully dry you can then vacuum the area.
3. Carpet Cleaning Machine
Carpet cleaning can be expensive, make no mistake, especially if you hire a professional rather than renting a machine.
But, if you have access to a carpet cleaning machine then this is one of the best methods to get rid of old stains without the need for vinegar. To use a carpet cleaner simply follow the instructions given by the manufacturer.
Does Vinegar Provide The Best Clean?
In terms of home remedies, there is no doubt that vinegar is one of the best options for cleaning a carpet.
However, you can still achieve a similar result using the methods above, especially if you are willing to put in the effort of properly scrubbing the old stain to remove it correctly.
So before you rush to the shop for some vinegar, check for some of the cleaning agents above first.
Why Are Old Stains Difficult To Clean?
Old stains are difficult simply because they have had more time to settle into the carpet fibers and potentially the carpet padding as well.
This means when it comes to cleaning an old stain you need to put in even more effort than normal to make sure you remove as much of the stain as possible. It’s also why you should clean up any spills on your carpet as soon as possible, as it is much easier than letting the stain settle.
Old Stain Problems
Old stains can cause other problems apart from making your carpet appear dirty, some of which you might not have considered.
Mold
Old stains are usually caused by spillages that are left unattended, such as dog urine, flour or even syrup.
Depending on the type of spill and how much moisture was present you may find yourself dealing with a mold issue. This is very common for food stains, or those caused by animals, and is something you need to consider before you get close to the area while cleaning.
If mold is present it has likely spread underneath the carpet as well, and it may be time to contact a professional at this point to see whether the carpet can be salvaged or whether it needs to be repaired.
Padding
Once moisture makes its way into the carpet padding it can form mold which will damage the quality of the padding underneath.
This can make your carpet less comfortable to walk on, and it will need to be replaced if it gets to this point. Note that none of the methods above will clean the padding and a professional is usually required for this.
Final Thoughts
Getting old stains out of carpet without vinegar can be tricky, but if you use the methods above you should have no problem.
Don’t forget to contact a professional if there is any damage underneath the carpet, such as mold.