A Clever Stain Removal Hack You Probably Haven’t Tried (and It Works!)
- Carrie Davis
- Sep 29, 2025
- 3 min read
When it comes to keeping homes, offices, or short-term rentals looking fresh, stains are one of the worst surprises. Whether it’s a red wine spill on carpet, grease on office upholstery, or a marker mishap on linen sheets, most people reach for standard stain removers. But there’s a fun, surprisingly simple hack that often gets overlooked—and it’s especially useful for carpets and linens.
This video shows a two-step method that works on almost any spot or stain on carpet. It’s quick, it’s effective, and best of all—it uses things you may already have around the house.
The “Dish Soap + Hydrogen Peroxide + Baking Soda” Hack
This trick is great for removing tough stains from carpet, upholstery, linens, and even mattresses. You’ll often find it mentioned in cleaning forums and DIY home-care guides. It combines three very accessible ingredients—dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda—to tackle stains that resist standard treatment.
What You’ll Need:
¼ cup washing-up/dish soap (e.g., Dawn or another degreasing soap)
½ cup baking soda
¼ cup hydrogen peroxide
Clean cloths or paper towels
Soft brush (optional)
Spray bottle (optional)
How to Use:
Blot the stain first. Don’t rub—blot with a clean white towel to lift up excess liquid. The sooner you act, the better.
Mix the solution: baking soda + dish soap + hydrogen peroxide. It will fizz a little—that’s normal.
Apply carefully. Use a soft brush or clean cloth and gently work the mixture into the stain. For carpets, work from the outside of the stain toward the center so it doesn’t spread.
Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. For deeply set stains on linens, you can let the mix sit longer (but test on a small patch first).
Blot / Rinse. Blot with water to dilute and remove the mix. Then, launder linens or clean carpets with appropriate method (carpet cleaner, steam cleaning, etc.).
Dry carefully. Don’t use high heat until you’re sure the stain is gone, because heat can “set” many stains permanently.
✅ Why This Hack Works
Grease + Oil Removal: Dish soap cuts through oils.
Odor & Discoloration: Hydrogen peroxide acts like a mild bleach and oxidizer.
Absorb & Lift: Baking soda helps absorb moisture, act as mild abrasion, and neutralize odor.
This method is especially useful for recurring issues: pet stains, wine spills, coffee, or old food stains. It’s cost-effective and uses safe, commonly available products.
🛠 Additional Tips You Might Overlook
Always test a small, hidden area first, especially for upholstery or dyed linens. Some fabrics don’t react well to peroxide.
Act quickly—fresh stains are way easier to remove.
Keep a spray bottle of the mixed solution ready for emergencies (but store it safely, as peroxide can lose power over time).
Use cold water first for protein based stains (blood, dairy) to avoid cooking them in.
For carpet, after treatment, consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning service for deep cleaning to keep fibers healthy and remove embedded dirt.
🌍 Local Twist: For Seattle-Tacoma, King/Pierce County Homes & Offices
Living in Western Washington means a lot of moisture and dampness. Carpet and linen fibers can stay damp longer, which sometimes makes stains set faster or lead to mildew. So besides using this hack, make sure your cleaning includes good drying, good airflow, and periodic deep cleans—especially for rental units, apartment common areas, and office upholstery.
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