Though nothing quite compares to sipping a sweet, ice-cold orange soda, seeing an orange stain on the carpet is quite a different matter. Kids in particular love drinking pop and are known to be messy, but anyone can spill the stuff onto your floors. If you attend to the mess quickly, it will be less of a problem, but the longer it sits, the harder the stain is to remove.
Orange Stain on My Carpet or Clothes
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Soda is notoriously hard to remove from carpets. This is because soda is made with food coloring and sugars, creating sticky, discolored carpet fibers. Over time, the stickiness can attract animal fur, dust and dirt. If it sits too long, you might not even know what it is. Whether or not you could blot the spill quickly with paper towels, there will likely be some residue left in the fabric.
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Things You'll Need
White vinegar
Liquid dish soap
Spray bottle
Sponge, cloth or soft-bristle brush
Bucket
Toothbrush
Hair dryer
Nonbleach detergent
Baking soda
How to Remove Orange Soda Stains
Step 1: Make a Cleaning Solution
You can make a homemade cleaning solution from 1 cup of warm water and a tablespoon each of white vinegar and liquid dish soap. Combine it in a spray bottle and spritz the orange stain on the carpet. Do not saturate it; otherwise, the solution will be too hard to get out.
Step 2: Soak Your Clothes
On the other hand, if the orange stain is in clothing, thoroughly soak your clothes in the solution you made for 15 minutes and let them dry to remove the stain.
Step 3: Use a Sponge if Needed
Work in the homemade cleaning solution with a clean and damp sponge, cloth or a soft-bristle brush. Let it sit for five to 10 minutes while you get a clean sponge and bucket of water.
Step 4: Rub the mark
Without using too much water, rub the mark to absorb the cleaner and as much water as possible. This cleaning will take longer than the first part of this job.
Step 5: Dry the carpet
Once you're sure that the stain and cleaning solution is all gone, dry the carpet with a soft brush, like a toothbrush, and a hair dryer on its lowest setting.
Other Carpet Stain Remover
There are other similar methods for tackling an orange stain on carpet if you find that the first method doesn't work for you. The carpet stain remover process starts by removing as much of the liquid as possible. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of a gentle, nonbleach detergent and room-temperature water in a bowl. Using a second bowl, combine one part of white vinegar and two parts of water.
Dip a clean washcloth or sponge in the detergent mixture. Pat the orange soda stain with the cloth, press it in firmly and wait for 15 minutes. Pat the stain with a dry cloth until it feels dry. Take a second clean cloth and dip it into the vinegar mixture. Repeat the same process with this cloth, put a heavy object on top and leave it there on the stain for 15 to 20 minutes. Blot it from the outside in with a clean cloth.
What if the Stain Didn't Come Out?
Do you still have an unsightly orange stain on your carpet? Some people have success with pastes made from baking soda and water. Use this as you would the other homemade methods with a small amount of the baking soda mixed into clean water until it thickens. Be sure to get it all out of the carpet; otherwise, it will harden.
You can find various carpet stain remover products on the market, including sprays and liquids, carpet shampoos, odor and stain eliminators and powders. Read the label to see if they work on soda stains. It is also good to know what kind of carpet material you have. Contact the manufacturer's customer service department if you aren't sure which to choose.
To be safe, always test homemade and store-bought carpet cleaners in inconspicuous areas because there is always a chance that you are not using the right one. Use the cleaner as directed on the label. If you need to rinse it, use a sponge and a bucket of clean water. A blow dryer or small fan can dry the area afterward.