What causes rust stains on carpet? Rust is made up of tiny iron particles. These tiny particles can be driven deep into the fibers of carpet, making it difficult to remove. Rust is a common stain on carpets and can be caused by leaky windows, wet toys or furniture and other sources within the home. To get the best results it is important to be patient when trying to remove them.
How to Treat Wet Rust Stains on Carpet
If you find rust stains that are wet, it’s best to allow the stain to dry completely. After it’s dry, you can use a scraping tool like a dull butter knife to remove any extra rust that will flake off. The more you can get off before you attempt cleaning it, the higher your chances are at removing it completely. Take care when doing so to prevent damage to the carpet by pulling the threads or snagging the carpet fibers. Snagging Berber carpet can be detrimental to your carpet as it can cause a long unraveling throughout the whole room. Take your time and be gentle.
Homemade Rust Remover for Carpets
The next step can be done a few different ways. To determine which one will work best for your carpet, you should test a hidden area with the different cleaning agents to see if they will cause bleeding or unintentional discoloration.
1. Mild detergent mixed with water. Just make sure the detergent contains no alkalis and always use cool water as hot water can set stains, making them more stubborn. Anti-bacterial versions of detergent should also be avoided and look for ones free of color for better results. Use a clean cloth and blot the stain making sure you don’t rub it until you see it lifting. Rinse the sponge as often as needed to keep the water clean. If you aren’t successful, you should allow the stain to dry and ty another method.
2. Lemon juice can be a stain remover. Blot the stain with the clean part of a white cloth. If there’s still rust, take a mixture of lemon juice, white vinegar and salt or cream of tartar. Get it to the consistency of toothpaste and apply it directly to the rust stain. Allow it to sit for a few hours and blot it with cool water and a towel.
3. Rust stains can also be treated with vinegar. Use a generous amount and apply it directly to the stain and allow it to penetrate. After a few hours, you’ll know whether or not it has worked. Blot as much of it as you can to see it any more of the rust will come up. You can apply a little lemon and water mixture to eliminate the smell of vinegar if it’s too strong.
Professional Stain Removal in Orange, Santa Ana, Rancho Cucamonga, Anaheim, Whittier, Riverside, Chino & Fullerton, California
With any stain its always best to act quickly. The longer it sits, the harder it will be to remove. If after all these attempts, you still have a rust stain present you may need the services of a professional. Rust stains are very difficult to remove because it’s the result of a chemical reaction in nature. If rust comes into contact with carpet, the result is an ugly stain. Contact the professional at Leading Carpet Cleaning for our expertise at stain removal.