The fact that bleach, which is one of the most effective cleaning agents, can cause some of the worst stains on your carpet is quite ironic.
Bleach stains can be a big eyesore unless you have a pearly white carpet. It can also be incredibly difficult to get rid of them if you don’t know how to get bleach out of your carpet. Unfortunately, the reality is that bleach stains are some of the commonest carpet stains.
You may splatter some bleach on your carpet in the blink of an eye, when your original intention was cleaning the house and not creating more stains. Fortunately, you are reading this, which will help you save your carpet and spare you the hassle of shopping for a new one.
Here, we will look at some of the best cleaners for dealing with bleach stains on carpets and take you through the systematic process of finally getting rid of that nasty yellow or white bleach stain on your carpet.
Is It Possible to Remove Bleach from a Carpet?
Yes. Fortunately, you can actually remove bleach from a carpet. However, you should note that the effectiveness of removing the stain will largely depend on the amount of bleach spilled, how quickly the issue is addressed, and the color of the carpet.
In some instances, the outcome will just be damage control and not restoring the color fully, but it will definitely help in making the bleach stain much less of an eyesore.
Is It Possible for Carpet Cleaners to Get Rid of Bleach Stains?
Yes. Using professional carpet chemicals is actually your best bet when it comes to removing bleach.
Select Your Carpet Chemicals
Bleach works through the chemical removal of color from the surface or object it’s transferred to. Due to this reason, bleach may be the best option for getting rid of old stains from white carpet, but it should never be used on a dark or coloured carpet since it will leave a stain that’s unsightly.
The first step to stop or prevent this is neutralizing the bleach along with the associated pH increase. You can only do this, however, by using a carpet pre-spray that’s designed specifically for neutralizing the pH.
Use something like an Acidic Rinse or an Alkaline Rinse that’s aimed at neutralizing and emulsifying the acidity that’s associated with bleach stains. It is also the reason why you shouldn’t clean a bleach stain using dish detergent.
Dish detergent is often touted as an excellent carpet cleaner for removing rust stains from a light carpet and perhaps even removing grease from a carpet in your house. While some people recommend this for bleach stains, it’s never advisable to bring dish detergent anywhere near a bleach stain.
The reason for this is that the dish detergent has a heightened pH that acts as a vehicle for bleach to remove the color and will be ineffective in stain removal. So, leave using the dish detergent when figuring out how to get rid of oil-based stains from carpet and keep it far away from the bleach stain.
Once you have your selected carpet chemicals ready, follow the steps below to remove that bleach stain.
Methods for Removing Bleach Stains from Carpet
Method 1: Using Carpet Cleaner
Step 1: Act Quickly
Now that you have unfortunately spilled bleach on your carpet, the first thing you should do is quickly pour bleach stain neutralizer over the stain. Ensure that you first mix or dissolve it according to the package instructions. Be careful not to use it too much and avoid letting it sit for too long.
Step 2: Vacuum
Use a wet/dry vacuum or just any device that acts as a water extraction vacuum immediately the cleaning solution comes into contact with the stain and vacuum up the excess fluid.
Step 3: Check and Dry
You should then check whether or not the stain has disappeared. If it hasn’t, repeat the first 2 steps above until it does. If it has disappeared, simply allow the area to dry.
Method 2: Using Vinegar
Perhaps you spilled bleach and haven’t had the time to order an alkaline rinse yet. Fortunately, there’s an alternative solution when it comes to dealing with a bleach stain. Keep in mind, however, that the success rate with this method is far lower since the bleach isn’t being neutralized.
If the bleach isn’t neutralized, the odds of severe discoloration increase significantly. Still, people have had success with this solution and there are even experts that recommend this method as a follow-up after you apply bleach neutralizer, which means that it is definitely worth a shot.
Step 1: Mix the Solution
Just as is the case with the previous method, you should act as soon as the stain occurs. So, you should grab a clean damp towel or cloth immediately after you spill the bleach, and then dab up as much of it as you possibly can. You should then create a solution of 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 4 cups of warm water.
Step 2: Apply the Solution and Soak
The next thing you should do is apply the cleaning solution onto the stain and allow it to soak in for about 5 minutes. Dab the stained area using a small cloth or sponge once the waiting period has elapsed. Avoid rubbing the stain with the cloth because this may cause the bleach to spread.
If the stain successfully comes off, proceed with the dabbing process until it’s completely removed, using a new clean part of the cloth or sponge each time. If not, repeat the first 2 steps until success is achieved.
Step 3: Rinse and Dry
Rinse the area with cold water once the stain has disappeared to remove the vinegar solution. Dry up any excess liquid using a wet vacuum or towel. You should then leave the carpet to dry out. The smell might be somewhat pungent, especially when it’s combined with the smell of bleach, so ensure that the room is aerated a bit by either opening up some windows or turning on a fan.
Method 3: Colour Restoration
Colour restoration is a controversial method and definitely shouldn’t be used unless it’s an emergency.
Step 1: Blot Up
Dab up as much of the bleach as you can using a damp cloth immediately the bleach stain occurs. The purpose of this is preparing the area and ensuring that you remove any excess bleach. Avoid running the stain since this may cause the bleach to penetrate or spread into the carpet’s under-pad.
Step 2: Paint or Colour
You should then take interior paint or crayon that more or less matches the color of your carpet and apply it to the stained area. Essentially, you’re colouring the carpet in an attempt to restore it to its usual color.
You can use interior paint and apply it using a brush or use a crayon and color the affected area. Then, work the color into the carpet using a damp paper towel until it more or less matches the previous color. Work the color into the surrounding area to make sure that it blends in well.
Is a bleach stain on your carpet the end of the world? Not necessarily. It is possible to deal with bleach stains, but only if you’re adequately prepared. Yes, there are crafty ways to address bleach stains if you don’t have industrial carpet cleaning equipment or professional chemicals on hand, but always keep in mind that the results of such methods are definitely not guaranteed. Pro Carpet doesn’t only perform vacuuming services, we can solve your stain in a timely and cost effective manner. Contact us, we can’t wait to hear from you.