How to Remove Orange Juice Stains From Carpet and Upholstery

By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
mary marlowe leverette spruce gardening board
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary has been a Master Gardener for 30+ years and a commercial and residential gardener for 50+ years. She is a former Clemson University Extension Agent.
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Updated on 02/16/23
How to Remove Orange Juice Stains From Carpet and Upholstery

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 12 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins - 12 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10

Orange juice and orange juice concentrates leave orange stains; some even contain added food coloring or dyes that leave their own stain. The sugar contents of orange juice makes the stain feel sticky. Fortunately, orange juice stains will come out of carpet and furniture fabrics with a dish detergent and water mixture.

Here's everything you need to know to remove orange juice stains on carpet and upholstered furniture so that you're not stuck with a permanent reminder of a spill.

Tip

Never use natural soap in a bar or soap flakes to treat a juice stain because these products can make plant-based pigments more difficult to remove.

Stain Type Orange juice
Detergent Type Dishwashing liquid
Water Temperature Warm
2:18

Remove Orange Juice Stains From Clothes and Carpet

When to Call a Professional

If the upholstery is silk or vintage, it is best to call a professional cleaner or if you need more stain removal tips. Home cleaning may result in water spots.

Featured Video

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Vacuum
  • Soft bristle brush (optional)

Materials

  • Paper towels or clean cloths
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Oxygen bleach (for non-colorfast materials)

Instructions

Materials needed to remove orange juice stains

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Remove Orange Juice From Carpets and Furniture

  1. Blot Until Dry to the Touch

    Use a white paper towel or old white cloth to blot up as much of the liquid as possible. Keep blotting until no more moisture is transferred from the carpet or upholstery to the cloth.

    Blotting the orange juice stain on the carpet

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  2. Dab With Dishwashing Liquid

    Mix a solution of 2 teaspoons of dishwashing detergent in 2 cups of warm water.

    • Dip a clean white cloth, sponge, or soft bristle brush in the solution.
    • Working from the outside edge of the stain toward the center to keep it from spreading, work the cleaning solution into the stain.
    • Blot with a dry cloth to absorb the solution (keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as the stain is transferred).
    Dipping a soft bristled brush into a stain removal solution

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

    Tip

    The same cleaning solutions and techniques can be used for juice stains on upholstery. Take care not to over-wet the fabric because excess moisture in the cushions can cause problems such as mildew.

  3. Rinse Carefully and Air Dry

    Dip a clean cloth in plain water to "rinse" the spot. This is especially important because any soapy residue left on the carpet or upholstery will actually attract more soil.

    Allow the stain to air-dry away from direct heat.

    Rinsing the stained area with plain water

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  4. Vacuum the Carpet

    Vacuum to lift the carpet fibers and restore the appearance of your carpet.

    Vacuuming the carpet after allowing it to air dry

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  5. Use This Method on Upholstery

    The above method works equally as well on upholstery and furniture.

    Using the same method to remove orange juice stains on upholstery

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Additional Tips for Handling Orange Juice Stains

Orange juice can be removed from items that are not colorfast, with a slightly different process.

  • Mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach in cool water following package directions. 
  • Dip a clean cloth into the solution, and working from the outside edge of the stain toward the center, work the solution into the carpet (do not over-wet). 
  • Allow the solution to remain on the stain for at least 30 minutes before blotting away.
  • Use a dry, clean white cloth to blot away moisture. Allow to dry completely and vacuum to restore the carpet pile.
How to Remove Orange Juice Stains From Clothes