There are so many stains that carpets can be attacked by, and it’s hard to know which cleaning solution will take out which stain. Here are five common carpet stains and five homemade carpet cleaners to get rid of them.

*Make sure that you test a small and inconspicuous part of carpet with the cleaner first to make sure no discoloring or damage occurs.*

Stain: Food, Mud, Feces

Carpet Cleaner Solution: Combine cool water (hot water can set in stains) with a small amount of non-bleach liquid dish detergent. Wipe the spot and avoid rubbing into the carpet. If there is still some discoloration, you can mix ¼ cup white vinegar with ¾ cups cool water. Dip in a clean cloth and wipe clean.

Stain: Grease or Wax

Carpet Cleaner Solution: Place either a clean piece of cloth or a paper towel over the grease spot. Go over the cloth/paper towel with a warm iron. Do this several times with a clean cloth/paper towel each time until the stain has been fully removed from the carpet.

Stain: Grass

Carpet Cleaner Solution: Mix ¼ cup Dawn dishwashing liquid (the original blue) and ½ cup hydrogen peroxide. Pour directly onto the stain and let rest for a few minutes. Wipe clean. If you are nervous about using hydrogen peroxide on your carpet, you can also purchase a dry cleaning solvent and blot the grass stain until the solvent is absorbed.

Stain: Wine, Chocolate, Coffee

Carpet Cleaner Solution: For best results, this must be done right after the spill! Blot up the spill, being careful not to rub it into the carpet. Try cleaning with club soda and a clean cloth. If this is not working, you will need to mix 1 Tablespoon of clear ammonia and ½ cup of water in a spray bottle. (Make sure you label the bottle, since ammonia is a very dangerous chemical.) Spray the stain, but do not soak. Blot with a clean cloth, changing the cloth or spot used for blotting as the stain transfers to it. Blot until the stain is lifted and rinse with fresh water.

Stain: Urine

Carpet Cleaner Solution: Blot up the urine with paper towels or a cloth; do not rub into the carpet. Clean with cool water and a small amount of dish soap. If the urine was from a pet, you need to get rid of the smell, so the pets do not think of it as an acceptable place to relieve themselves again in the future. To do this, spray a mixture of one part white vinegar and four parts water onto the spot and blot dry.