Soot Stains- Carpets

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

Carpet

What you will need; Isopropyl rubbing alcohol, Detergent, and Hydrogen peroxide.

Steps to Clean

-First, Vacuum using the crevice tool of vacuum cleaner to remove all or most the soot. If the smoke has not been removed, call a professional cleaner. If vacuuming has removed all particles go to the next step to remove any traces.

-Second, Try removing as much of the foreign material as possible. Blot the area with a white paper towel or use a dull knife to scrape the area clean.

-Third, prepare a clean white cloth, white paper towel, or cotton ball, wet with rubbing alcohol. Use a blotting motion if the spot is deep until no color is transferred to the cloth or until the spot is removed. Do not allow the alcohol to penetrate the back of the carpet because this will cause delamination or the destruction of the latex bond. Rub in one direction at a time if the spot is only on the surface because, by cleaning in a circular motion, you risk ruining the texture of the carpet. Stop if spot is removed. If the stain persists, continue with the next step. 

-Fourth, use a small amount of detergent solution directly on the spot. Use a blotting motion to work the detergent into the affected area. Make sure to keep putting the detergent solution until spot is removed using the blotting movement with a white paper towel. (To make the detergent solution mix 1/4 teaspoon of a hand dishwashing detergent which does not contain lanolin or bleach with 1 quart of water)

-Fifth, Rinse the area with clean water using a spray bottle, or a water bottle with a hole popped in the top. Blot the area to dry excess moisture.

-Sixth, Spray lightly with water, do not blot this time; apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.

-Seventh, If there is still a spot on the carpet then moisten the tufts of the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let the hydrogen peroxide stand for one (1) hour. Wipe up the peroxide by blotting and repeatedly reapply the peroxide until carpet is stain free. Light will cause peroxide to change back to water so you will not need to rinse off the rug.

-Eighth, using a heavy object, such as a brick, apply pressure to a stack of paper towels on top of the affected area.