Our 5 Go-To Natural Stain Removers for Carpets

Do your carpets seem to be a target for spills and stains? It can certainly feel that way, especially if you have kids, teens, and/or pets around.

Carpet cleaning and stain removal companies know this and have done a masterful job marketing their synthetic chemical products and services as “essential” for removing stains.

The truth is, if you work quickly (and usually, even if you don’t), you can remove almost any stain from your carpet using natural, human- and pet-safe stain removers.

In this article, we’ll share our five go-to natural stain removers for carpets that are affordable, accessible, and easy to use.

Our Favorite Carpet Cleaning and Prep Tips

Carpet is an investment, and you don’t want to ruin it by using the wrong products or technique to remove stains.

Here are some tips to follow for safe stain removal

• Know your carpet. Synthetic carpets are generally tougher and can handle scrubbing, scouring, and saturation with cleaners more than natural fibers, like wool. 
• For natural fibers, use a cloth instead of a scrub brush and gently blot the stain away. You may also want to use a spray bottle to prevent over-saturating the carpet, as it will take a long time to dry. 
• Act fast. Your success in removing carpet stains with any stain remover is often contingent upon how quickly you treat the stain. Start removing stains as soon as possible for the best results.
• Blot up stains and remove debris before applying natural stain remover. Rubbing or scrubbing a fresh stain will drive it further into the carpet fibers. Instead, use a clean cloth to blot up as much of the stain as possible and/or remove debris before applying the natural stain remover.
• Be patient. Most stains require blotting, dwell time (the time in which the stain remover sits on the stain), more blotting, scrubbing, or rubbing, possibly repeating the process and vacuuming. The sooner you get to the stain, the less time it will take to remove it.
• If one method doesn’t work, try another. All these natural carpet stain removers can be used in combination. So, if one method doesn’t completely remove the stain after a couple of tries, try another.
• Make sure to remove the carpet cleaner after use. This will prevent discoloration or trapping of dirt and debris. You can do this by blotting it up, diluting it with water, then removing, and/or vacuuming.

Now that you have the basics down let’s look at five natural stain removers for carpets.

1. Branch Basics

Branch Basics' all-in-one cleaning system is a staple among health- and toxin-conscious consumers because just one Concentrate can tackle nearly any cleaning or laundry job in the home—including carpet stains on wool or synthetic carpets.

Here’s how to use it.

All-Purpose or Bathroom Cleaner

For most carpet stains, we recommend All-Purpose dilution, which is made using 1 part Branch Basics Concentrate plus 11 parts water (or just follow the fill-line recommendations on the Branch Basics All-Purpose refillable bottle).

Always test a hidden area first for colorfastness and compatibility.

For general stain removal: 

• Blot up as much of the stain as possible using a dry or damp cloth and/or remove any debris.
• Spray Branch Basics All-Purpose directly on the stain. 
• Allow to sit for 1-5 minutes. 
• Agitate with a brush until the stain disappears.

All-Purpose not cutting it? 

Then move onto Branch Basics Bathroom dilution, made using 1 part Branch Basics Concentrate with 5 parts water (or just follow the fill-line recommendations on the Branch Basics Bathroom refillable bottle).

Follow the same directions as All-Purpose.

Branch Basics All-Purpose and Bathroom are safe to use on wool or synthetic carpets.

Concentrate

For really tough or set-in oil stains, you can also use Branch Basics Concentrate, undiluted.

Always test a hidden area first for colorfastness and compatibility.

How to use Branch Basics Concentrate for carpet stains:

• Blot up as much of the stain as possible using a dry or damp cloth and/or remove debris.
• Sprinkle a few drops of Branch Basics Concentrate directly onto the stain.
• Allow to sit for 1-10 minutes. 
• Agitate with a brush until the stain disappears.
• Remove by diluting the Concentrate with water and blotting it up with a cloth.

New to Branch Basics for cleaning? 

Our products are formulated using only the most gentle, human-safe, plant and mineral-based ingredients that are Made-Safe Certified and third-party tested as non-skin and eye irritants, and safe for the most sensitive individuals (including babies, pets, and the chemically-sensitive).

Branch Basics Concentrate is safe to use on wool or natural fiber carpets.

Learn more in: The Cleaning Power of Branch Basics Concentrate and Oxygen Boost 

Oxygen Boost + Water for Light-Colored Carpets

If you love Branch Basics Oxygen Boost, here’s a great tip: you can combine it with water to create a powerfully bubbly carpet stain remover.

Note: Because Oxygen Boost is a natural bleach alternative, it is not appropriate for colored carpets. Therefore, only use this on very light-colored carpets and test an inconspicuous area first.

To use:

• Mix 1/4 to 1/2 a scoop of Oxygen Boost with 1-2 cups of very warm water.
• Blot up as much of the stain as possible using a dry or damp cloth and/or remove debris.
• Stir to help dissolve.
• Pour into a spray bottle or squeeze bottle, and apply to the stain.
• Let dwell for 1-5 minutes.
• Scrub clean.
• Rinse by diluting with pure water and blotting up.
• Repeat if necessary.

Oxygen Boost is an incredible whitening, brightening, stain-fighting, scouring, sanitizing, laundry-boosting, and mold and mildew-removing combination of biodegradable, human- and pet-safe, mineral-based sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and sodium percarbonate (washing soda/powdered peroxide/oxygen bleach).

No toxin-conscious home should be without it!

Check out Branch Basics Stain Master Guide for more tips on how to use Branch Basics to remove any type of stain. 

2. Salt

Plain old table salt or kosher salt, either alone or combined with other natural cleaning substances, is a powerful stain remover for clothing and carpets.

Salt works on various types of carpet stains, including:

• Blood
• Coffee and tea
• Food
• Mud
• Oil and grease
• Red wine

To use:

1. Blot up as much of the stain as possible using a dry or damp cloth and/or remove debris.
2. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt on the stain.
3. Let dwell for 10-15 minutes.
4. Scrub vigorously with a damp scrub brush to remove the stain.
5. Vacuum up the excess salt.
6. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Note that salt should not be used on delicate rugs or wool carpets.

3. Cornstarch + Vinegar

Vinegar can be used alone to remove various types of carpet stains. 

However, it works even better when combined with absorbent cornstarch.

To use:

1. Blot up as much of the stain as possible using a dry or damp cloth and/or remove debris.
2. Make a creamy paste by combining white vinegar with cornstarch.
3. Apply to the stain using a scrub brush.
4. Let dwell for 5-15 minutes.
5. Scrub clean.
6. Vacuum up any visible residue.
7. Repeat if necessary.

Generally, vinegar and cornstarch are compatible with wool and natural fiber carpets, but always check the manufacturer’s recommendations. They are compatible with synthetic carpets.

Learn more about using vinegar to clean your carpets in: 5 Carpet Cleaner Alternatives That Actually Work.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda is an excellent natural carpet stain remover and deodorizer.

As always, test in an inconspicuous place to ensure color fastness.

To remove stains:

1. Blot up and remove as much of the stain and debris as possible.
2. Pour a generous pile of baking soda on top of the stain and work in with a brush.
3. Let dwell for 15-20 minutes.
4. Vacuum up.
5. Repeat if necessary.

To deodorize your carpet:

1. Vacuum, preferably with a HEPA vacuum, carpets and/or rugs thoroughly.
2. Sprinkle baking soda on the affected area using a sieve to prevent clumps. For large areas, work the baking soda into the carpet using a clean push broom or brush.
3. Let dwell for several hours or overnight.
4. Vacuum up thoroughly and clean the vacuum filter thoroughly after use.

Baking soda is safe for use on synthetic, wool, and natural fiber carpets. However, it may be difficult to remove from some natural fibers.

Get more tips on non-toxic cleaning with baking soda in: Cleaning With Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): 12 Surprising Uses.

5. Club Soda

Club soda is legendary for its stain-removal properties, and it works on carpets too. 

The key is to act quickly. Here’s how:

1. Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting it up with a cloth.
2. Pour club soda directly onto the stain or apply it to a clean cloth, then press it into the stain.
3. Blot up, re-pour, and repeat until the stain is gone.

Club soda is generally safe to use on synthetic, wool, or most natural fiber carpets.

Looking for a Natural Stain Remover? We Can Help With That!

If you’ve been searching for an effective and versatile natural stain remover, you’ve got to check out Branch Basics Starter Kits.

Available in refillable plastic or glass bottles, our kits have everything you need (Concentrate, refillable bottles, and Oxygen Boost) to remove any type of stain on carpets, clothing, and more and clean your entire home, wash your clothes, and more without harmful synthetic chemicals.

Learn more about how and why our cleaning system works so well in: How To Get Started With Your Branch Basics Kit.

For more educational resources on natural cleaning, stain removal, non-toxic living, and more check out our blog and Toss The Toxins Online Course.