A child has drawn a pattern in lipstick, the dog has brought in mud from an autumn walk, guests have knocked over a plate of ketchup. The first instinct is to grab a napkin and scrub hard, but that only spreads the stain wider and deeper into the pile.
Stay calm and reach for a can of WD-40. It helps lift greasy and waxy marks from the fibres: lipstick, mascara and foundation, marker pen and wax crayon, ink, chewing gum, melted jelly sweets and ketchup. It is also handy for cleaning hair and dirt from your vacuum cleaner's brush roll.
What you will need
Important: Test WD-40 on a hidden area of the carpet first, for example under the sofa. Do not use it on natural silk, hand-made wool rugs or coverings marked dry clean only.
Step 1
Identify the stain and remove the excess
Inspect the carpet carefully in daylight. On patterned and dark carpets it is easy to miss nearby spots that only show up after cleaning.
Remove whatever is sitting on the surface: scoop up ketchup or cream with a spoon, pick off bits of gum, vacuum dry dirt. Do not rub the stain at this stage.
Step 2
Spray WD-40 on the stain
Apply WD-40 Smart Straw directly onto the stain. For a large stain, flip the straw up and use the wide spray; for a small spot, flip it down and spray precisely.
Do not soak the carpet: the stain just needs to be evenly wet.
Step 3
Let the product soak in
Wait about a minute for the product to penetrate the fibres and get under the stain. For older stains, apply WD-40 a second time and wait a little longer. Patience pays off, as a softened stain lifts far more easily.
Step 4
Work it in with a damp sponge
Lightly dampen the sponge and work the product into the stain for a minute with short strokes from the edges to the centre. This lets WD-40 get under the dirt and break its bond with the pile.
Step 5
Lift the stain with a dry cloth
Wipe the area with a clean dry rag or blot it with a towel until the stain stops transferring. Move to a clean part of the rag so you do not put the dirt back. If a mark is still visible, repeat the application steps.
Step 6
Remove product residue
Treat the area with mild carpet shampoo diluted in warm water to remove any remaining WD-40 and avoid a greasy patch that attracts dust. Blot dry, let it dry fully and vacuum the pile.
Tip: Act on the same day if you can: a fresh stain comes out in one go, while one left for a week may need two or three rounds. Keep
WD-40 Smart Straw in the cleaning cupboard, not just in the garage.
What next
After cleaning, keep off the damp area until it is completely dry. The same WD-40 Multi-Use removes scuff marks from laminate and tiles and frees sticking sliding wardrobe door rollers.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».