Carpet stains can be a real pain to remove, especially if you don’t have the right cleaning products on hand. But did you know that you can use salt to clean your carpets?
Salt is a natural and inexpensive cleaner that can remove a variety of stains from your carpet, including oil, grease, red wine, coffee, and more. I decided to dig into some carpet cleaning info and wanted to show you how to use salt to clean your carpets and remove stubborn stains.
Below is a How-To guide plus some tips and tricks on which stains salt is great for as well as ones you should find other means to clean. So, if you want to keep your carpets looking like new, read on to learn how to use salt to clean your carpets.
Can You Use Salt To Clean Carpet
In general, the coarse texture of salt helps to scrub away dirt and stains that are ground into carpets. Using salt to clean carpets is a great alternative to harsh chemical cleaners and can help lift dirt quickly.
Salt is a great natural alternative to chemical cleaners and can be used on carpets as well as other surfaces in the home. However, it should not be used on delicate fabrics or more expensive carpet types, as salt may cause discoloration if not removed completely.
Before using salt to clean your carpet, I suggest testing an inconspicuous area of the carpet to make sure salt does not discolor it.
In addition to carpet stains, salt has many other household cleaning secrets to reveal!
What Carpet Stains Should I Use Salt To Clean
Salt is an effective, natural alternative to harsh chemical cleaners for removing dirt and stains from carpets. However, you want to make sure that you use it on stains where it will be most effective and not cause more harm than good. Here is a list of some good ways to use salt to clean your carpet with a short description of each:
Oil and Grease
Remove stubborn oil and grease stains from carpets with the power of salt! Simply sprinkle a generous amount onto the spot, let it sit for several moments to absorb the unwanted residue, then use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub away. Finally, vacuum up all that is left…voila! The stain should be gone in no time.
Red Wine
If you have a carpet that has been stained with red wine, salt is the perfect remedy! Generously sprinkle it over the area and let it sit for several minutes to take in all of the liquid. Once settled, use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub away at the stain before vacuuming up any remaining salt…afterward your carpet should be good as new!
Coffee and Tea
Say goodbye to coffee and tea stains on your carpets with salt! Generously sprinkle the stained area with salt, and let it sit for a few minutes to help absorb any liquid left behind. Then use a stiff brush to scrub away the contamination before vacuuming up the residue of both stain and salt. Problem solved in no time!
Blood
Harness the power of salt to eradicate pesky blood stains from your carpet! Generously sprinkle it over the affected area and wait several minutes for its absorbing capabilities to work. Then, use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub away the stain before vacuuming up both salt and residue…no more unsightly stains!
Mud
If you need help getting those pesky mud stains out of your carpet, salt has got you covered! Generously sprinkle a layer of salt over the stain and allow it to sit for several minutes. After that, use a stiff-bristled brush to thoroughly scrub away the dirt before vacuuming up both the dirt and the remaining salt. With this simple method, there’s no doubt that both your carpets…as well as your stress levels.
Food
Salt can be an effective tool for removing pesky food stains from carpets. Simply cover the stain with generous amounts of salt and allow it to sit for a few minutes to absorb any remaining residue. Then, use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub away at the stain until gone! Finally, carefully vacuum up all traces of salt and you should have one clean carpet free from unsightly marks.
What Carpet Stains Should Not Be Cleaned Using Salt
Salt is an ideal resource for tackling hard-to-remove dirt and grime however, it can be very rough on certain stains or certain types of carpet. To keep your rug undamaged during cleaning, here are some areas where salt SHOULD NOT be applied:
Dye Stains
Using salt to remove dye stains from your carpet can cause irreparable discoloration or damage, so it is best to avoid this method of stain removal. Instead, use a liquid cleaner specifically designed for removing dye stains and follow the instructions carefully.
Pet Urine
Salt is an abrasive material and can cause further damage to pet urine stains if not thoroughly removed from the carpet. Instead, try using a more gentle cleaning solution such as white vinegar or baking soda to tackle these pesky spots.
Moth Damage
Salt is a powerful cleaning agent, but it should be avoided when dealing with moths as salt can make their damage worse. Moths cause holes or rips in carpets by chewing on them, and salt can also weaken fibers and further aggravate the damage. Applying salt to moth-damaged carpets can make the hole larger, so try using other methods of cleaning to get the job done.
Paint
It is inadvisable to use salt for eliminating paint marks from carpets as it can potentially lead to discoloration or deterioration of the carpet fibers. To get rid of paint, it is best to use a commercial carpet cleaner or warm soapy water.
Ink
To avoid further discoloring or damaging your carpets, it is best to abstain from using salt to remove ink stains. Instead, use a specialized carpet cleaner or a mixture of warm water and mild detergent to tackle these spots.
Bleach
It’s not recommended to utilize salt alone when attempting to remove bleach stains from carpets due to the possibility of causing discoloration or damaging the carpet fibers. In this case, your go-to cleaner should be a mixture of white vinegar and salt to neutralize the bleach.
Urine
To avoid discoloration and potential damage, it is not advisable to use only salt for the removal of urine stains from carpets. Instead, use a combination of white vinegar and salt to neutralize the odors and eliminate any traces of urine.
Vomit
Salt should be avoided when attempting to remove vomit stains from carpets as it can result in fading or other damage to the carpet’s fibers. Instead, use a mixture of warm water and mild detergent to clean the spot.
Which Type Of Salt Works Best For Removing Carpet Stains
Generally, the type of salt that works best for cleaning carpets is a coarse salt like Kosher or Sea Salt. The larger granules facilitate scrubbing away dirt and grime for a deeper clean, plus their abrasive texture helps in removing tough messes. Additionally, due to its coarseness, it absorbs liquids and scours out stubborn spots.
Table salt can also be used, but it may not be as effective as coarse salt as its granules are smaller, and it may not have the same level of abrasiveness.
Can You Add Essential Oils To Salt When Cleaning Carpets
Combining essential oils and salt can be an incredibly effective tool when cleaning carpets. Not only do these natural ingredients have strong purifying powers, but they also impart a delightful aroma to carpeting.
When using essential oils with salt for cleaning carpets, it is important to mix the essential oil with a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil before adding it to the salt. This will help to dilute the essential oil and prevent it from causing damage to the carpet fibers.
Before treating a big stain, make sure to test the solution on an unnoticeable spot of carpeting. Additionally, be mindful of possible allergies and sensitivities by doing their research or taking necessary precautions when using essential oils in particular as they can result in irritation or discomfort for people and animals alike.
As a natural cleaning alternative, essential oils offer an array of advantages when removing stains. For example, lemon oil may be used to remove grease spots while tea tree oil is effective against mildew and mold marks.
How To Use Salt To Clean Your Carpet
- First, sprinkle salt liberally over the area you are trying to clean. Let the salt sit for 10-15 minutes for it to absorb any liquid that may be in the carpet.
- Using a small, stiff brush, brush salt vigorously over the area to help break up dirt and stains that may have built up over time.
- Vacuum the salt up with a vacuum cleaner or broom until all salt is gone from the carpet fibers.
- Repeat if necessary and then vacuum any remaining salt granules.
Final Thoughts
When used correctly, salt can be just the thing you need to clean your carpet stains and freshen them up. From blood stains to mud spots, salt has you covered! Keep in mind that salt should not be used on certain types of stains or fabrics and never hesitate to reach out for professional advice if needed.
Finally, always remember to thoroughly vacuum salt and any remaining residue after cleaning your carpets! This will ensure no salt is left behind and that your carpets remain clean and fresh.
Now you know how salt can help keep your carpets looking their best. Give salt a try the next time you need to tackle an unsightly carpet stain. It just might do the trick!