Often times you will find an array of inexpensive spot cleaners in the store, and I often get asked, “which one should I use.” I can't say which one's not to use, however, i can say which ingredient to avoid, which is the ingredient most commonly found in inexpensive spot treatments, soap. Soap-based solutions solve the problem of the spot, meanwhile they create another problem, residue. Imagine not getting all of the shampoo out of your hair, or never cleaning glass door in a shower. That soapy residue has a similar effect on your carpet, acting as a sticky surface that attracts dirt. It seems as though the spot magically reappeared, but it is really dirt trapped in the soap remains of your last attempt at removing a spot. I’ve tried dozens of spot removers over the years, but there is only one soap-free one that I have found better than all the rest, Perky. It’s only marketed to professional carpet cleaners, but in 25 years I have not been able to find one I like nearly as much. It is gentle enough to use on all carpets and fabrics, without the need to rinse out a soapy residue. Better yet, it’s natural and safe for humans and pets. A demonstration I attended when first introduced to Perky, the demonstrator drank the solution to prove it was safe and gentle; that’s one way to show dedication! So next time you get a spot, if it is liquid, the very first thing you should do is grab a rag and soak up as much of the fluid as you can without rubbing, then use a non-soap based spot treatment to scrub the remaining residue. If you want to give Perky a try, I am able to sell bottles of it to customers upon request and would love to hear you love it as much as I do.

Let me first point out that OxiClean is peroxide… Peroxide is bleach. It is a stain remover, not a spot remover. Don’t use it on just spots or on colored carpeting. Only use it on stains, on very light or white carpeting, or in areas that won’t matter if all the color is bleached out. Best way to use it on a very small part of the stain and let it set for several hours. If you find the spot has lightened and the carpet has not, then success! You can continue using the solution. Traditionally if it doesn’t work it would make sense to use a stronger mix, however the problem is peroxide continues to work for several hours, so it’s important to take it in small steps to ensure you don’t have what I call a reverse stain (bleached out spot). Professionally when I use peroxide, I control the length of time the peroxide is active using either and alkaline solution or heat. By stopping the peroxide from actively working I can lighten a stain before it can lighten the carpeting, giving me greater control. I’ve experimented and used this method to a science, using great care to ensure the best results. I have not experimented this on household products and I do not recommend mixing chemicals on carpeting in experimentation. So yes, you can use OxiClean products on your carpeting if it is very light carpeting or if you test it in a small, inconspicuous spot first. However, I don’t recommend over using the product as it risks causing irreversible damage that needs to be professionally patched in order to remedy. 

OxiClean is a registered trademark of Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Information is not warranted or endorsed by Church & Dwight Co., Inc.  or Dan The Carpetman Inc.