# Reoccurring carpet stains **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 16, 2001, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reoccurring-carpet-stains/76585 "2001-08-16T17:20:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reoccurring-carpet-stains/76585/1 "2001-08-16T17:20:04Z")
I spilled Gatorade on my carpet. If it makes a difference, it was the kind that comes as a powder and you mix it yourself. I cleaned up the stain with soap and water, so that I could no longer see the pink stain. The next day, I see that the stain has comeback. This time I was sure that I had gotten everything up, but it came back the next day. It’s Gatorade, so it ought to be water soluble even without soap. Why can’t I clean this stain up? Is there a trick to these kinds of stains? ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reoccurring-carpet-stains/76585/2 "2001-08-16T18:05:44Z")
It has probably soaked into the carpet pad. You clean up the stain in the carpet, and then more just oozes up from below. A steam cleaner would take care of it, if you’re willing to go to the hassle. ---
**Author:** ![ninja\_rydr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8491ac/32.png) [@ninja\_rydr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ninja_rydr)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reoccurring-carpet-stains/76585/3 "2001-08-16T18:11:12Z")
Does this stain resemble Elvis/Virgin Mary if it does you should call National Enquirer/Vatican A.S.A.P.