Tomato sauce stains can be tricky to remove from carpet. The acidic and pigmented nature of tomato sauce means it can easily set into carpet fibers. However, with the right carpet cleaner and technique, it is possible to get tomato sauce stains out of carpet completely. Here we will look at the best carpet stain removers and methods for tackling troublesome tomato sauce spills.
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Why Tomato Sauce Stains Carpet
There are a few reasons why tomato sauce is prone to staining carpet:
- Acidity – Tomato sauce has a low pH which can bond with and alter carpet fibers.
- Pigment – The red-orange color of tomato sauce contains hard-to-remove pigments.
- Sugar – Tomato sauce often contains added sugar which acts like a glue, sticking the stain to carpet.
- Oils – The oils in tomato sauce seep into carpet fibers and can attract dirt.
These components make it important to treat tomato sauce spills on carpet quickly. Leaving the stain for too long allows it to fully penetrate and bond with carpet fibers, making removal much more difficult.
Homemade Carpet Stain Removers
Before using store-bought carpet cleaners, you may want to try some homemade solutions first. Home remedies using common household ingredients can be effective at lifting tomato sauce from carpet:
Dish Soap
Dish soap is mildly alkaline which helps dissolve and lift away the oils and sugar in tomato sauce. Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water and apply it directly to the stain. Gently blot the stain with a clean cloth and rinse with clear water.
White Vinegar
The acidic nature of white vinegar helps counteract and neutralize the acidity in tomato sauce stains. Mix equal parts vinegar and water and spray or sponge onto the stained area. Blot and rinse with water afterwards.
Hydrogen Peroxide
As a mild bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide can help lift pigment stains from carpet. Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water and apply to the stain. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to avoid discoloration.
Baking Soda
Baking soda draws moisture out of stains. Make a paste with baking soda and water and gently scrub into the carpet stain. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing and blotting dry with a towel.
Best Store-Bought Carpet Cleaners for Tomato Sauce
For tough tomato sauce stains or heavily soiled carpets, a good commercial carpet cleaner is your best bet. Look for carpet stain removers that contain powerful but carpet-safe ingredients like:
Oxygen Bleach
Oxygen bleach uses sodium percarbonate to lift stains. It is color-safe for carpets and also helps brighten dingy looking carpet.
Surfactants
Detergent-like surfactants help dissolve oily tomato sauce stains. Cationic surfactants attach to dirt while nonionic surfactants do not leave residue.
Enzymes
Protease and amylase enzymes break down protein and starch-based stains. This allows them to be flushed out with the cleaner.
pH Balancers
Acidic cleaners counteract alkaline dirt buildup. Alkaline cleaners remove acidic stains like tomato sauce and coffee.
Fragrance
Many commercial carpet cleaners contain added perfumes or essential oils that leave carpets smelling fresh after cleaning.
Anti-Resoiling Agents
These prevent dirt from resettling back into the carpet fibers after cleaning.
Reviews of the Top Tomato Sauce Carpet Cleaners
Based on carpet cleaner reviews and tomato sauce cleaning ability, here are 5 of the best commercial stain removers:
| Carpet Cleaner | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Bissell Professional PowerShot Oxy | Oxygen bleach formula. Heated cleaning. Portable spot cleaner. |
| Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner | Strong suction. Dual cross brushes. Carpet-safe detergent. |
| Hoover Max Extract Dual V All Terrain | 2-in-1 cleaning. Quick dry time. Lightweight. |
| Bissell Big Green Professional | Large tank capacity. Rotating brush scrubber. |
| Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 | 3 motors for power. Wide cleaning path. |
Bissell Professional PowerShot Oxy
Bissell’s PowerShot Oxy carpet cleaner uses oxygen bleach, Rowenta heat technology, and powerful suction to remove dried-on tomato sauce stains. The built-in heater and precise spray system activates and lifts stains from carpet fibers.
This cleaner is a compact spot cleaner ideal for localized tomato sauce spills and other carpet stains. Reviewers like the portable size and find it effective at removing set-in stains.
Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner
The Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner machine is designed to deep clean entire carpets thanks to its oversized tank capacity and dual cross scrubbing brushes.
It sprays, scrubs, and suctions away stubborn tomato sauce stains with a 75% more suction power than a rental carpet cleaner. The included Super Boost spray is formulated to break down and dissolve food-based stains.
Reviewers say this carpet cleaner machine leaves their carpets looking like new and free of tomato sauce stains and foot traffic dirt buildup.
Hoover Max Extract Dual V All Terrain
Hoover’s Max Extract Dual V cleaner provides a 2-in-1 wash and dry functionality perfect for tomato sauce spills. The heated air automatically dries carpets after washing.
It has SpinScrub technology, 12 amps of power, and an 8-foot hose for large areas. The dual tanks keep clean and dirty water separate.
This lightweight carpet shampooer receives positive reviews for its convenient design and thorough stain cleaning ability on carpets and upholstery.
Bissell Big Green Professional
For a deep clean on heavy carpet stains, Bissell Big Green Professional has an extra-large capacity tank and powerful rotating scrub brushes.
The cleaner has 9 amps of professional-grade suction and includes Bissell’s tough Stain Tool attachment for localized stain removal.
Reviewers love it for removing all traces of spaghetti sauce, wine, grease, and other challenging carpet stains after just one pass.
Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3
Rug Doctor’s Mighty Pro X3 has triple the cleaning power with its three motors – one for suction and two for brushes. This commercial-grade cleaner deep cleans and dries carpets quickly.
It has an oversized tank, wide 15″ cleaning path, and Rug Doctor’s proprietary Pet Formula detergent to eliminate tomato sauce stains.
Carpet cleaner reviews praise it for removing old and new food stains from high traffic areas effectively.
Tips for Using Carpet Cleaner Machines
Using the carpet cleaner properly makes a big difference in removing tomato sauce stains. Here are useful tips to follow:
- Vacuum first – Thoroughly vacuum up dirt, debris, and surface stains.
- Pre-treat – Spot clean heavily stained areas with stain remover beforehand.
- Hot water – Use the hottest water setting safe for your carpets.
- Slow passes – Go over stained areas slowly allowing time for the cleaner to work.
- Overlap slightly – Each cleaning pass should overlap the previous one slightly.
- Rinse – Rinse with clean water after washing to remove residue.
- Dry – Open windows and point fans at damp carpet to help drying.
- Ventilate – The drying process can create odor so keep the area ventilated.
- Repeat if needed – For tough stains, repeat the washing and drying process.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular cleaner is recommended to get the best results on tomato sauce stains without damaging your carpet.
Professional Carpet Cleaning
For carpet that is heavily stained with tomato sauce or needs a deeper level of cleaning, calling in professional carpet cleaners may be warranted.
Professional carpet cleaning services have access to powerful truck-mounted equipment and strong cleaning solutions not available to rent or purchase. This gives them an advantage when dealing with stubborn stains.
Look for carpet cleaners who use hot water extraction, also called steam cleaning. This method uses pressurized hot water to loosen stains deep down in the carpet fibers before immediately vacuuming up the dirty solution.
Many pro carpet cleaners also offer stain guard treatments to help prevent future tomato sauce stains from setting into the carpet.
Carpet Cleaning Costs
On average, professional carpet cleaning costs $100 to $250 for a whole house or $30 to $75 per room depending on where you live and the company. Pricing factors include:
- Number of rooms
- Square footage
- Type of carpet – polyester vs wool
- Amount of soiling
- Stain treatments needed
- Add-ons like sanitizers or deodorizers
Companies may offer discounts for first-time customers or big jobs. Get an exact quote upfront before booking the service.
DIY Carpet Cleaning Solution for Tomato Sauce
To make a good DIY tomato sauce stain remover solution at home, combine:
- 1/4 cup dish soap
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tsp enzyme detergent like Biz or Persil
- 2 cups warm water
Mix the ingredients together in a spray bottle. Spray onto tomato sauce stained areas of carpet generously until saturated. Let sit for 3-5 minutes.
Use a clean white towel or cloth to blot up the solution, pressing down firmly to lift out the stain. Avoid rubbing as this can spread the stain.
Rinse the area with clean warm water and blot dry. Repeat as needed for stubborn stains. This solution helps remove tomato sauce stains without harsh chemicals.
Conclusion
Tomato sauce can be one of the trickiest carpet stains to remove completely at home. With the right carpet cleaner product and method though, it is possible to lift even set-in tomato sauce stains from carpet fibers.
For small stains, homemade solutions like vinegar, dish soap, or hydrogen peroxide work well. For large or heavily stained areas, a cleaner like the Bissell PowerShot or Rug Doctor Pro give professional cleaning results.
Always follow manufacturer’s directions closely when using store-bought carpet cleaners. Pre-treat, allow proper dwell time, use hot water, and thoroughly rinse and dry the carpet.
If DIY efforts fail to remove all traces of tomato sauce, call in professional carpet cleaners who have the advanced equipment and solutions to deep clean and revitalize stained carpets.