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Removing food coloring stains from carpet is simple with just a few common household ingredients. shorrocks / Getty ImagesFood coloring is a type of edible dye used by food manufacturers to enhance the appearance of their products. If you spill it on your carpet, it’s like applying dye directly! Don't panic, as you can try to remove the stain yourself before considering professional cleaning services.
Follow these steps to remove food coloring stains from your carpet:
- Address any stain on your carpet as soon as it appears. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to remove.
- Use a paper towel to blot up any excess spill gently. For larger spills, a wet vacuum can help remove some of the liquid.
- Lightly dampen the stain with cool water and let it sit for a minute. Then blot it with a paper towel. If the stain lifts with water alone, continue blotting until it’s completely gone or no more color comes up.
- Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar, one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent, and two cups (473 milliliters) of warm water. If the stain is red, substitute ammonia for vinegar [source: Goodhousekeeping]. Apply the solution to a clean white cloth and blot the stain. Repeat until the stain disappears or no more comes off.
- Use a combination of rubbing alcohol and warm water to blot any remaining stain. Be sure to blot dry after each application.
- Apply three percent hydrogen peroxide to the stained area. Let it sit for an hour before blotting and repeating as needed.
- Once the stain is gone, cover the area with paper towels and weigh them down with a heavy object like a stack of books. This will absorb the moisture in about an hour.
- Sprinkle some carpet freshener on the cleaned area to give your carpet a pleasant scent [source: Goodhousekeeping, FabricLink, Hilton].
If these methods don’t work, you can always call in a professional carpet cleaner for help.
