How to Remove Red Stains (Kool-Aid, Gatorade, Powerade) From Carpet
Last Updated: March 7, 2023
In this post, I’ll show you EXACTLY how to remove red stains (Kool-Aid, Gatorade, Powerade, and other) from carpet.
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Sometimes red stains can be removed by simply cleaning the stained area with a good spotter.
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Other times, the red dyes from beverages like Kool-Aid will permanently bond to carpet fibers resulting in a permanent red stain in your carpet.
Regardless of whether you are dealing with a removable red stain, or a permanent red stain, I'll show you how to get either out of your carpet in this post.
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TAKE ME TO:
- Step 1 - Remove red stains from carpet with a spotter
- Step 2 - Remove permanent red stains from carpet
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Step 1 - Remove Red Stains Using a Spotter
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When someone asks me how do I remove [insert random spot/stain here] from my carpet, the first thing I always tell them is to start with a really good spot removal method.
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Spot removal is the process of using a cleaning agent (spotter) to get the contaminants that cause stains (sugar, dyes, pigments) out of the carpet.
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Basic spot removal can be done with common store bought spotters like Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover, TriNova Spot Remover, Resolve, Spot Shot, or even a homemade spotter.
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If you are looking for a "really good" spot removal method, I recommend using a good spotter with a mini wet/dry vacuum to suck up and extract the spot/stain from the carpet.
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If you want to learn my homemade spotter recipe and how I use it with a mini wet/dry vacuum, check out my How to Remove Spots From Carpet Just Like a Professional Carpet Cleaner article.
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Step 2 - Remove Permanent Red Stains From Carpet
Now that we have completed step 1, we've hopefully removed all of the sugars and lose dyes from the carpet.
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Depending on the type of red dye and the stain resistance properties of your carpet, you may be left with a permanent red stain.
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This stain is caused by millions of tiny dye molecules that have become permanently attached to the carpet fibers.
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We are going to remove the remaining red stain by using a chemical reaction to destroy the red dyes that are permanently stuck to the surface of the carpet. Once the red dye molecules have been destroyed, the stain will become invisible.
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The stain removal method that I am going to show you is similar to methods that are commonly used by professional carpet cleaners.
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This stain removal method will remove many different kinds of stains from food, beverages, soda, juice, urine, vomit, and many more!
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Step 1 - Most professional carpet cleaners use 6% hydrogen peroxide on every single job. Hydrogen peroxide is a highly effective stain remover and it is the primary ingredient in removing red stains from carpet. I recommend using 6% salon grade hydrogen peroxide, also known as 20 Volume Clear Developer.
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Step 2 - Spray the 6% hydrogen peroxide liberally around the stained area.
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Step 3 - The second and final key ingredient is Household Ammonia Cleaner. Household Ammonia has a high Ph and it is needed to activate the hydrogen peroxide. Spray each stain 2 to 4 times with household ammonia cleaner.
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Step 4 - Cover the stained area with a piece of plastic wrap.
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Step 5 - Place a pot of hot tap water on top of the plastic wrap. The water temperature should be no hotter than 50C - 70C (122F - 158F). The hot water will help activate the hydrogen peroxide.
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Step 6 - Check the stain removal progress every one to two hours. This stain took a total of 90 minutes to come out of the carpet.
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Step 7 - Using a white cotton towel, or a mini wet/dry vacuum, extract/absorb the remaining hydrogen peroxide and household ammonia from the carpet.
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Step 8 (Optional) - 1 rinse with water can be done to flush out the remaining hydrogen peroxide and household ammonia. This is optional as hydrogen peroxide and ammonia both break down and evaporate.
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Step 9 - Allow the carpet to fully dry and voila!
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Notes
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Do not dilute the 6% hydrogen peroxide or household ammonia.
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Do not use this method on fine materials such as wool, silk, or other natural fibers. Contact a professional cleaner when cleaning such materials.
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test this method in an inconspicuous area on your carpet before using. This can be done on a piece of scrap carpet, or in the corner of a closet.
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Do not use this method in direct sunlight. Close the blinds in your home before using hydrogen peroxide on your carpet.
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When using household ammonia, it is best to open a window for ventilation. Household ammonia has a pungent odor and can be slightly irritating on the eyes.
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The odor caused by the household ammonia will disappear quickly as it dries and evaporates.
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Household ammonia does not have to be rinsed from the carpet after cleaning because it completely evaporates (turns into ammonia gas) and escapes to the atmosphere.
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Hydrogen peroxide does not have to be rinsed from the carpet because it completely breaks down into oxygen and water.
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Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia will leave zero residue in the carpet after using (which makes this method very safe for children, people, and pets)
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Never mix household ammonia cleaner with bleach. This mixture produces a toxic gas called chloramine that can cause shortness of breath and chest pain.
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Use these methods at your own risk!
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Let me know if you have any questions by using the contact me page, or by commenting on the YouTube video above. I'm always happy to help!
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