Here's how to get makeup out of your carpet, step-by-step
By Carla Snuggs
Cleaning your home is never an easy task. With so much to do in such a little time, keeping your interiors sanitary and tidy becomes not only a challenge but also a tedious activity. Carpets are undoubtedly one of the best aesthetic furnishings and they add sophistication and elegance to your homes. However they can pose huge cleaning problems. Since they are prone to dirt, stains, they need to be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis or else you risk your floors becoming a big mess. And makeup stains are the worst! There are various ways to clean your carpets to remove makeup stains. Here you can find professional carpet cleaning or you can DIY.
Cleaning Tools and Agents that May Be Needed
Vacuum Cleaner: A wet/dry vacuum cleaner is ideal for stain removal work. Use a clean, dry white towel as an alternative. If your vacuum cleaner is designed for dry carpet only, do not vacuum the stained area until the removal procedure is finished and the carpet is dry.
Spoon: A large spoon usually works best.
Towels: The towels should be clean and colorfast. Paper towels can be used as an alternative.
Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol: Do not dilute the rubbing alcohol. This is common rubbing alcohol and is available at your local grocery store or drug store. Apply this product to a towel, and use the towel on the carpet fiber. WARNING: Do not allow this product to contact the carpet backing, as any professional carpet cleaning website would tell you.
Dry Cleaning Solvent: Do not dilute the dry cleaning solvent. The dry cleaning solvent should not be flammable and is available at your local grocery store, drug store, or hardware store. Apply this product to a towel, and use the towel on the carpet fiber. WARNING: Do not allow this product to contact the carpet backing.
Citrus Solvent: Do not dilute the citrus solvent. The citrus solvent is available at your local grocery store, drug store, or hardware store. Apply this product to a towel, and use the towel on the carpet fiber. WARNING: Do not allow this product to contact the carpet backing.
Warm Water: Clean water will be used for the rinsing.
Club Soda: Club soda works wonders on a variety of water soluble stains and is eco-friendly. As you can see from this link, many professional carpet cleaners avoid harsh or volatile chemicals to get the job done. We suggest you always keep a can of club soda on hand at room temperature. Club soda is carbonated water; thus, club soda will not cause any damage to the carpet backing. You can slowly drizzle a small amount directly on the spill, but we caution you to not soak the carpet. Club soda does not leave a residue and therefore does not need to be rinsed out. In fact, club soda can be used as the rinsing agent for other cleaners.
Detergent: Mix 1 teaspoon of liquid dish detergent with 2 cups of warm water -- not hot water. The dish detergent should be clear in color without bleaching properties.
Step by Step Procedure for Removing Makeup Stains from Carpet
Use a spool to gently scrape and scoop up the excess starting on the edge and working towards the center.
Vacuum or blot up the excess.
Apply rubbing alcohol or dry cleaning solvent or citrus solvent.
Blot or gently stroke the carpet pile.
Rinse the carpet by applying warm water without soaking the carpet.
Vacuum or blot up the excess. (If the stain was removed, do not proceed to the next step.)
Apply detergent water to the stained area without soaking the carpet and let it stand for 5 minutes.
Blot or gently stroke the carpet pile.
Rinse the carpet by applying warm water without soaking the carpet.
Vacuum or blot up the excess. (If the stain was removed, do not proceed to the next step.)
Apply hydrogen peroxide mix and let it stand for 30 minutes. After applying hydrogen peroxide, cover the stain with a thick towel to block the light. Light transforms the chemical properties of hydrogen peroxide. Check the stain periodically. Watch for loss of color.
Rinse the carpet by applying warm water without soaking the carpet.
Vacuum or blot up the excess. (If the stain was removed, do not proceed to the next step.)
Apply ammonia mix to the stained area without soaking the carpet. Watch for loss of color.
Blot or gently stroke the carpet pile.
Apply vinegar mix to the stained area without soaking the carpet.
Rinse the carpet by applying warm water without soaking the carpet and then blot up the excess.
Finally, vacuum the carpet after its dry to reset the carpet pile.
What are your tips for removing makeup stains from your carpet? Leave your tips in the comments below!
