# carpet spot remover vs. laundry spot remover: same?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpet-spot-remover-vs-laundry-spot-remover-same/698190>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 11, 2014, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpet-spot-remover-vs-laundry-spot-remover-same/698190 "2014-09-11T15:47:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2014, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpet-spot-remover-vs-laundry-spot-remover-same/698190/1 "2014-09-11T15:47:29Z")

</div>

See subject line. Is there any meaningful difference between the stuff you spray on your carpet to remove stains, and the stuff you spray on your laundry for the same purpose? Any reason I would not want to use one product in place of the other?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2014, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpet-spot-remover-vs-laundry-spot-remover-same/698190/2 "2014-09-11T21:25:30Z")

</div>

I believe (not an expert)  
Laundry: Enzymes  
Carpet: Solvent and foaming, and very well enzymes.

I’d try in on a piece I was ready to throw out anyway.

And then I run the washer at high/hot for 3 cycles with the (dried and inspected first) sample. In case I didn’t want the stuff on subsequent loads.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpet-spot-remover-vs-laundry-spot-remover-same/698190/3 "2014-09-12T04:13:32Z")

</div>

Addition:

If the carpet cleaner does have a foaming agent (does any liquid foam all by itself?), do do NOT want it in the clothes washing machine - the water level could push the foam over the top.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpet-spot-remover-vs-laundry-spot-remover-same/698190/4 "2014-09-12T11:57:15Z")

</div>

> [@usedtobe](#):
>
> Addition:
> 
> If the carpet cleaner does have a foaming agent (does any liquid foam all by itself?), do do NOT want it in the clothes washing machine - the water level could push the foam over the top.

The carpet cleaner we have is in a hand-pumped spray bottle, and does not appear to foam significantly when applied.

Washing machine is front-load, so it uses very little water. I could see where any foaming might affect the cleaning of clothes (instructions warn not to use regular laundry detergent), but I’m not at all worried about overtopping the machine.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpet-spot-remover-vs-laundry-spot-remover-same/698190/5 "2014-09-12T12:07:41Z")

</div>

I use Vanish and Rug Doctor spray on both carpets and clothes interchangeably. Never had any problems, but you might want to test a small area for bleaching before going all out…