How to Get Kool-Aid Out of Carpet

Though a popular drink for both kids and adults, Kool-Aid is one of the most difficult stains to remove from carpet. It contains synthetic red food dyes that find their way deep into carpet fibers, leaving behind a stubborn red stain.

Artificial dyes can be tough to remove and homemade remedies have limited success, which is why it’s best to seek the help of a professional carpet cleaner.

Experts at Jon-Don have prepared this article to help guide you through the professional products and processes to successfully remove Kool-Aid stains from carpet. These same techniques can be followed for any red stains caused by spilled sports drinks, fruit juices, medications, and other red-colored liquids.

Professional Step-by-Step Guide for Removing Kool-Aid from Carpet

For most types of spot removal on carpet, once you remove the substance from the fibers, the spot disappears. However, when Kool-Aid creates a stain, it contains synthetic red food dye that can’t be extracted. So, the strategy shifts to chemically altering the stain to either significantly lighten it or make it invisible to the eye.

Before you begin, professional cleaners should be aware that the homeowner may have tried to use other methods or applied other products to the stained area in an attempt to remove the Kool-Aid stains. Be sure to ask the customer if they’ve tried any DIY remedies before you arrived on site, and set the expectation that you will do your best to remedy the stain but you cannot guarantee complete removal.

Option 1 and 2 listed below are for use on synthetic carpet only, such as nylon and polyester. If you’re cleaning wool or other natural fibers, see Option 3. Always test material for colorfastness, follow label directions and never mix products unless specified in the label directions.

Option 1: Matrix® Red Be Gone

1. Thoroughly vacuum the area to remove dry soil and use a bone spatula to scrape away any dried or caked-on soiling.
2. Rinse the spot using clean water to remove any leftover juice or staining liquid from the carpet fibers. 
3. Apply Matrix® Red Be Gone diluted at equal parts of solution A and B mixed together. For ease of application, use the product with the Matrix® Dual Chamber Sprayer. 
4. Place a moist white towel over the spot.
5. Place a steam iron at the lowest heat setting on the towel. Check the towel for color transfer every 10-15 seconds. Use caution not to remove actual carpet dye from fibers.
6. Rinse the area with clean water and repeat steps 3-5 if necessary.

Option 2: Pro’s Choice Red-1

1. Thoroughly vacuum the area to remove dry soil and use a bone spatula to scrape away any dried or caked-on soiling.
2. Rinse the spot using clean water to remove any leftover juice or staining liquid from the carpet fibers. 
3. Apply Pro’s Choice Red-1 to the stained fibers and allow it to dwell for several minutes until the stain turns yellow or disappears.
4. If the stain persists, reapply Red-1 and cover the spot with a moist white cloth or towel. Apply heat from a steam iron set to the lowest steam setting for no more than 5 seconds. 
5. Thoroughly rinse the area to remove the stain residue.
6. If any residual staining remains, repeat steps 4-5.

Option 3: Removing Kool-Aid From Wool Using Pro's Choice Red Relief for Wool

1. Thoroughly vacuum the area to remove dry soil and use a bone spatula to scrape away any dried or caked-on soiling.
2. Rinse the spot using clean water to remove any leftover juice or staining liquid from the carpet fibers. Use multiple vacuum-only strokes to leave the fibers as dry as possible.
3. Mix Pro's Choice Red Relief for Wool using equal portions of solution A and B into a spray bottle, or use the Pro's Choice Dual Chamber Sprayer.
4. Wet only the stained fibers with the Red Relief solution. Allow 10 minutes of dwell time for the stain to disappear or change to a light yellow color.
5. Thoroughly flush and rinse the stain and surrounding area with clean water.
6. Follow with multiple vacuum-only strokes to leave the fibers as dry as possible.
7. If any stain remains, repeat steps 3-6 (It may be necessary to repeat this procedure up to 4 times for tough stains).
8. Neutralize the area by saturating it with Pro’s Choice Color Stabilizer & Souring Agent (1 part CSS to 3 parts water). 
9. Allow to dwell for 3 minutes. 
10. Extraction-rinse and groom the fibers.
11. Dry the area as soon as possible.

Home Remedies for Kool-Aid Removal From Carpet

When Kool-Aid spills, it’s imperative to act quickly. The longer it sits, the more difficult it is to remove the artificial dyes from the carpet. If you aren’t able to call a professional for help, follow these instructions:

1. Blot as much excess Kool-Aid up as possible using a clean white cloth towel or paper towel(s).
2. Mix 1 cup of warm water with a small amount of liquid dish soap.
3. Lightly dampen the white cloth with the mixture; do not soak. Then, use the damp towel to blot the stained area and continue blotting.
4. Repeat step 3 until the stain is removed, or you’ve gotten as much out as you can using this cleaning solution.
5. Call a professional carpet cleaner if the stain persists.

Kool-Aid in Carpet FAQs

Before we wrap up, here are a few quick FAQs about Kool-Aid in carpet:

Will Peroxide Get Kool-Aid out of Carpet?

While diluted hydrogen peroxide may help remove a red stain from Kool-Aid on carpet, you risk bleaching the fibers if you let it sit too long. Instead, Jon-Don recommends following the cleaning options outlined here, using the products mentioned for the specific type of carpet.

Can the Products in This Guide Be Used on Other Colors of Kool-Aid Besides Red?

No. The products and processes listed in this guide are specially formulated to combat red food dye stains from beverages, foods, and medications. For more spot-removal tips and advice, visit our spotting library.

Should You Use Warm or Cold Water To Rinse the Carpet?

Warm water helps to dissolve the sugars in the Kool-Aid to release more of the stain, but make sure it’s not too hot as this could cause the stain to set in more permanently.

Become a Carpet Spot Removal Professional

While Kool-Aid may be one of the most difficult stains to treat, there are plenty of other carpet spots that can be challenging to remove without the proper training.

If you’re thinking about becoming a carpet cleaning professional, we highly recommend attending an upcoming Carpet Cleaning Technician (CCT) seminar and earning your IICRC certification. This two-day course will teach you how to properly and professionally clean and remove dozens of spots and stains from carpet. To register, visit our course page.

For more spot-removal tips and advice, visit our spotting library.