6 Steps to Get Pickle Juice Out of The Carpet

Pickle juice – it’s tangy, it’s tasty, but when it finds its way onto your carpet, it can be a real pickle of a problem! Whether it’s from an overzealous sandwich or an accidental spill, dealing with pickle juice stains requires a bit of know-how.

The good news is that you CAN get those pesky pickle juice stains out of your carpet. 

Pickle juice tends to stain quickly because of its lovely green, and yellow color. And you might notice a lingering smell too. 

But don’t panic and act fast! As with any spill, time is of the essence when it comes to pickle juice. The longer it sits on your carpet, the deeper it can penetrate, making it harder to remove. So, as soon as you notice the spill, spring into action!

Grab a clean cloth or paper towel and gently blot the affected area. Avoid rubbing the stain, as this can spread it further and push it deeper into the carpet fibers.

Now, you’ve managed the situation, but remnants of pickle juice will most likely remain.

With a few trusty household items and some patience, you’ll be able to get out that color (and that pickle smell) in no time. The key is to act as quickly as possible.

So here’s what you’re gonna do…

Which Ingredients Remove Pickle Juice Stains?

Whether it’s dill pickle or gherkins, getting pickle stains out of your carpet is a fairly straightforward task. Still, you’ll need a few things on-hand for the best result. You’ll likely have them readily at your disposal!

• Dishwashing liquid: yes, this thing is one of the most versatile cleaners out there! It can help you with tons of chores.
• White vinegar: This may or may not already be sitting in your pantry, depending on how much you experiment with your cooking. If not, it’ll be easy to find at your local grocery store.
• A clean, white cloth: White is preferred to cut out the risk of any color transfer, but if your carpet is dark in color, you can be flexible.

How to Clean Pickle Juice Stains

1. Before you rush into the cleaning process, it’s important to wipe up the excess juice from the carpet to prevent any further staining. 
2. Time to engage your inner chemist and make a homemade cleaning solution. Mix 2 cups of lukewarm water, one tablespoon dishwashing liquid and one tablespoon white vinegar. 
3. Once your concoction is ready, take your white cloth, dip it into the homemade solution and soak the stain. Be careful here – use a small amount, but make sure the entire stain is covered. 
4. Next, with a dry part of the same cloth, blot the area you just covered and soak up all the excess liquid. Yep, you did sort of just do the opposite of the first step – but don’t worry, this is just to ensure you don’t damage your carpet with too much solution. 
5. Repeat steps 3-4 until you see that the stain is gone. 
6. Wait! You’re not done just yet. You’ve dealt with the pickle damage, but you have to make sure you don’t leave behind any chemical damage. Get a fresh, clean cloth, soak it in cold water and clean the (hopefully no-longer) stained area of your carpet to wipe off excess cleaning solution. 

Now that you’ve removed the pickle stain, this is a great opportunity to give your entire carpet some refreshing (and maybe even get out any remaining pickle residue). 

Steam cleaning is a quick and efficient way to get your carpet looking brand new. While it’s not the first choice for removing stains because it is more effective on larger debris like mold and dust, it’s still it’s still the ideal option for carpet maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this method work on old stains too?

Standard methods to remove pickle stains may not be as effective on stains that are older. This is because the longer the juice is allowed to sit, the deeper the stain will set. So for the best results, it’s recommended to act quickly. 

That being said, you can try varied cleaning mixtures that work better for old stains, such as just white vinegar and water. 

How do I get rid of the pickle smell?

You may find that you manage to clean the pickle juice stain, but the strong odor still lingers. To make sure the smell doesn’t set after you clean the stain, ensure the carpet isn’t exposed to heat, such as sunlight or a vent. If you can’t move your carpet, laying a towel or cloth over the stained area can prevent this. 

If the smell still lingers, try placing a box of baking soda near the stain area to soak up the odor, or try an odor eliminator spray. 

Or you can always use the good ol’ baking soda and vinegar combo!

How can I get pickle juice stains out of clothes?

The right cleaning method to remove pickle juice stains depends on what exactly you’re trying to clean. The best solution for carpets is vinegar, but for clothes, laundry detergent, chlorine and hydrogen peroxide are most commonly recommended.