More than five years ago I found a red stain (I believe from a Popsicle) and an orange stain from a marker laying on the carpet without a lid. I tried EVERYTHING I could think of to get them out over about 4 years time. Among other things, I tried dish soap, Resolve, Spot Out Professional Strength Carpet Stain Remover, Bissel deep clean formula (in my carpet cleaning vacuum), carpet cleaning companies. I even had a Norwex consultant try it with their stain remover. NOTHING worked, so for many years I resorted to hiding the spots with pieces of furniture and decorations.
Then one day I found a pin using these three items and thought, “what the heck, I’ll give it a shot.”
I believe any glass cleaner will work, I used Windex brand last time. Make sure your cloth is white cotton (if you use a cotton poly mix it will likely melt onto your iron so get 100% cotton). Also, you will be using the steam button on your iron so make sure that works.
**By the way I tried to go back to that pin I used before so I could give the person credit but it ended up taking me to a completely different stain removing post so I am not sure where this technique came from but I thank whomever you are!!
Last summer I tried this on those stains that had been through years of trying and failing and IT WORKED!! I could not believe it. It flippin’ worked. After all those years…it worked! I was so dang thrilled that I had to tell people. I made my husband and kids come check it out, I showed my friend that stopped by. I was on a major housekeeping high. There was seriously no sign that there was a stain there and it was even the longer twisted carpet that is hard to get anything out of. MAGIC!!
I recently got the Spring Cleaning bug and found some red stains in my boys’ room… NO PROBLEM! I am thrilled that I have a chance to share this carpet cleaning magic with you here.
Just so you know, it works on more than just those hard to get out red or orange stains. In my boys’ room we found some dark spots as well from something that spilled and attracted dirt, and it worked on those too. (no food in the bedroom rule obviously isn’t followed)
Are you ready to work some magic?! Plug in that iron and turn it on cotton setting, on mine it is the highest setting. If you worry about what this might do to your carpet, try it in a hidden spot to test it out but I really had absolutely no problems.
First you spray your spot and let it sit for a few seconds…
…then lay your cloth on top and iron over the spot and steam it (“snoop it”, as my 4 year old says). The more steam the better.
Then dab the cloth over the hot steamed carpet. (I ended up folding the cloth over after the steaming so that I wouldn’t burn my finger tips.) It is best to dab and not scrub so you don’t loosen the threads of the carpet but I admit I did a little bit of scrubbing.
Repeat this as many times as it takes to get it out completely. I had to do it about 10 times for it to be gone all the way but look at this result. My little guy was so excited that his carpet was clean.
Chelsea, I hadn’t tried it on nail polish and wasn’t sure that it would work so I tested it out and, AMAZINGLY, it did work. It took a little more effort because of the thickness of fingernail polish but it worked!! YAY!!
NO SJ!!! I believe I mentioned in there somewhere that last time I used Windex. If you can find a clear glass cleaner I would even try that. HAPPY CLEANING!
Good morning, I tried this today and it worked well. The only problem now is I have a purple stain from the windex. I had a red stain on the beginning. So now how would I get the purple stain out? Any ideas?
Julia, did you use this on your carpet or some other surface? Also, did you use the BLUE windex? A friend of mine used it on a doily and it was tinted a little blue from the windex. She then washed it and the blue came right out. If this is on your carpet I would say to get some water and do the same with the iron and towel. Be sure to use a WHITE towel as the dye from a colored towel can bleed into what you are trying to clean. I hope this helps!! Let me know how it goes.
I believe any glass cleaner will work, I used Windex brand last time. Make sure your cloth is white cotton (if you use a cotton poly mix it will likely melt onto your iron so get 100% cotton). Also, you will be using the steam button on your iron so make sure that works.
I’m going to try this! Thanks Megan!!!
No problem Lisa!!
Amazing! I’ll have to try this! We have some nail polish on our carpet and we’re moving in two months, so I’d rather not have to pay for that!
Chelsea, I hadn’t tried it on nail polish and wasn’t sure that it would work so I tested it out and, AMAZINGLY, it did work. It took a little more effort because of the thickness of fingernail polish but it worked!! YAY!!
Love your post. This is amazing!!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
You are welcome Fabiana. Thanks for stopping by!
Love this…one question. Does the spray have to be “Glass Plus”?
NO SJ!!! I believe I mentioned in there somewhere that last time I used Windex. If you can find a clear glass cleaner I would even try that. HAPPY CLEANING!
trying it now she 3yr old daughter dropped a red popsicle last night and I didn’t see it till this morning I’m trying everything
Monica, let me know how it goes. This really should take care of it, my stain was there for years before I found this solution.
Good morning, I tried this today and it worked well. The only problem now is I have a purple stain from the windex. I had a red stain on the beginning. So now how would I get the purple stain out? Any ideas?
Julia, did you use this on your carpet or some other surface? Also, did you use the BLUE windex? A friend of mine used it on a doily and it was tinted a little blue from the windex. She then washed it and the blue came right out. If this is on your carpet I would say to get some water and do the same with the iron and towel. Be sure to use a WHITE towel as the dye from a colored towel can bleed into what you are trying to clean. I hope this helps!! Let me know how it goes.
I will try this! Thanks!
Thanks for this great tip. will share and keep it for future reference.
great post!
Thank You Johnnie!