How to Clean a Stained Shirt and Carpet with Stain Solver: Two Methods, One Cleaner

A stained shirt and a spotted carpet might seem like two completely different cleaning problems. One can go into a soaking container. The other needs to be treated right where it is.

In this video, both get attention from Ozzyy T. using Stain Solver. First, a stained white shirt is treated using the submersion method. Then, a patterned rug is spot-cleaned using a spray-and-blot method.

The application changes, but the approach remains straightforward: mix the solution properly, give it time to work, and finish by removing the cleaning solution with a good rinse of clean water. Below are our recommended steps for following both methods at home.

Click to watch Ozzyy's experience >>

Start with the Right Mix

Use four regular scoops of Stain Solver per gallon of hot water.

For a smaller batch, use one regular scoop per quart of hot water. These measurements refer to the regular scoop included with the 2 lb and 9 lb containers—not the larger scoop supplied with the 45 lb container.

Always check the garment’s or carpet manufacturer’s care instructions before cleaning. Do not use Stain Solver on wool or silk, and test a small, inconspicuous area before treating the visible stain.

First: Soaking the Stained Shirt

The first part of the video shows a white shirt with a noticeable stain. Rather than treating only the surface with a quick spray, the shirt goes into a bath of Stain Solver solution.

That is the idea behind the submersion method: keep the stained fabric beneath the solution while it soaks. We recommend use this approach, followed by rinsing and normal laundering. 

How to Use the Submersion Method

1. Prepare a soaking container. Use a clean basin, bucket, or other suitable container large enough to hold the shirt and enough solution to submerge it.

2. Measure the hot water. 

3. Add four regular scoops of Stain Solver per gallon of water. Scale the amount proportionally for a smaller batch, and stir until the powder is completely dissolved.

4. Test a small, hidden area. Check for unwanted changes before soaking the entire garment. Check the garment’s care label, and allow the mixed solution to cool to the fabric-safe temperature before adding the shirt when necessary.

5. Fully submerge the shirt. Make sure the stained portions remain beneath the solution rather than floating above it.

6. Allow time to soak. Check the stain after approximately 30 minutes, and continue soaking as needed within the garment’s care limits. Stubborn stains may require more time or another treatment. 

7. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Check the stained area again, and repeat the treatment as necessary.

8. Wash normally, and inspect before drying. Follow the garment’s laundering instructions, and avoid putting it into the dryer while a stain remains. 

Next: Spot-Cleaning the Carpet

The second part of the video moves from the shirt to a patterned rug. Here, the solution is applied with a spray bottle, followed by blotting with a cloth.

For readers following along, the complete recommended process includes more than spraying and wiping. Give the solution 30–60 minutes of contact time without letting it dry, then blot, rinse, and allow the carpet to dry completely.

How to Clean Carpet Stains with Stain Solver

1. Start with hot water. Measure one gallon of hot water into a suitable mixing container or sprayer. 

2. Add four regular scoops of Stain Solver. For a smaller container, maintain the same ratio: one regular scoop per quart of hot water.

3. Mix until completely dissolved. Stir thoroughly before applying the solution.

4. Test a small, inconspicuous area. Rinse with clean water and allow the test area to dry, and check for discoloration or other unwanted changes before proceeding.

5. Spray the stained carpet area thoroughly. Wet the affected area evenly, but do not flood the carpet, backing, padding, or floor underneath. Thorough application does not mean excessive saturation. 

6. Let the solution sit for 30–60 minutes without letting it dry. Check the area periodically, and lightly reapply solution as needed to keep the treated fibers wet during this time.

7. Blot up the extra liquid. Use a clean towel, paper towels, or another absorbent cloth. Press and lift, moving to a clean section of the towel as needed. Blot rather than aggressively rubbing or scrubbing. 

8. Check the stain. Examine the treated area to see what has lifted and whether any visible staining remains. A wet area may be hard to evaluate.

9. Blot dry. Use fresh, dry towels to remove as much remaining liquid as possible. This means absorbing the moisture, not waiting for the carpet to air-dry before rinsing.

10. Rinse with clean water. Apply small, controlled amounts of clean water, and blot again to remove the remaining cleaning solution and loosened material. Do not skip the rinse simply because the stain looks better, not using clean water to rinse may result in discoloration once the area is dry.

11. Let the carpet dry completely. Once rinsing and final blotting are finished, allow the treated area to dry before returning it to normal use.

12. Repeat as necessary. Inspect the dry carpet. If staining remains, repeat the process rather than assuming every stain will disappear after one application.

Keep It Wet While It Works, Then Remove the Moisture

For this carpet-cleaning method, there are two separate stages that should not be confused.

During the 30–60-minute treatment, keep the stained area wet with the solution. After that treatment period, move on to blotting, rinsing, and drying.

“Do not let it dry” applies to the contact time. It does not mean leaving the carpet wet indefinitely or allowing the cleaning solution to dry into the fibers. Rinsing and removing the remaining moisture are part of finishing the job. 

Two Ways to Give Stained Items Another Chance

This demonstration puts two practical approaches side by side: submerge the shirt, and spot-treat the carpet.

Neither process needs to be rushed. Measure carefully, follow the material’s care instructions, give the solution time to work, and finish the cleanup. When a stain needs another round, repeat the process and check your progress.

Before deciding that a stained item is finished, give cleaning it a chance.

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