Clean Ketchup, Pasta Sauce, or Barbecue Sauce off a Carpet

Family dinners around the dining table may be positive bonding experiences, but sometimes everyone wants to sit around the TV and watch the big game with some chips and hot dogs. Unfortunately, one little accident, and you could have a stubborn ketchup stain on your living room carpet. Thankfully, it's easy to remove stains from ketchup (catsup), pasta sauce, or barbecue sauce--without using harsh chemical cleaners.

Steps

  1. Use a butter knife to remove excess ketchup. Gently scrape away the excess sauce as soon as possible after the stain sets. Use the dull edge of the knife, and remove as much of the ketchup as possible.
  2. Decide how to treat the stain. It's essential to use the right stain-removal techniques for a type of carpet. For example, natural fibers, such as wool or grass, can react badly to liquid stain removers (see the warning below concerning these chemicals), and you should always think twice before cleaning antique carpets or valuable rugs. If in doubt, call a professional carpet cleaner.
  3. Dab some lukewarm water on the stain if it has dried. Dry stains need to be prepared for cleaning, so simply moisten a clean cloth with warm--not hot--water, and gently dab it onto the stain.
  4. Prepare the cleaning solution. Add ΒΌ teaspoon mild detergent or carpet shampoo to {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of cold water. Stir the solution in a bowl to mix thoroughly.
  5. Test any cleaning solution in an inconspicuous spot. Before you apply any cleaner--including the one in these directions--to your carpet, test the cleaner in a small patch where no one will see it. Wait a few minutes. If the cleaner discolors or otherwise adversely affects the carpet, remove it immediately with cold water and a sponge. If it ends up causing permanent damage, at least it won't be right in the middle of the room.
  6. Apply the cleaning solution to the stain. Moisten a clean cloth liberally with the cleaning solution, and simply lay the cloth over the stain.
  7. Massage the cloth with a spoon. Use the bottom of a spoon to gently press down on the cloth. Gradually work your way all over the cloth, starting on the outside and working your way toward the center in a spiral to prevent spreading the stain. This process works the solution into the carpet without rubbing the stain in or damaging the carpet fibers.
  8. Rinse the stain. Lift the cloth off of the carpet, and spray warm water onto the stain. Alternatively, you may moisten a clean sponge with warm water and gently dab the stain.
  9. Remove excess liquid. Blot the stain with a clean dishtowel or sturdy paper towels. Blot, don't rub.
  10. Dry the carpet. Place a clean, dry dishtowel or sturdy paper towels over the damp spot. Place a plastic bag over them, and then place a heavy object, such as a large book, over the bag. Wait several hours or overnight before removing the towels. The stain should be gone.



Tips

  • The longer you wait to remove a stain, the harder it will be to get it out, so act quickly.
  • A reader writes: I have used ordinary shaving cream to remove old blood stains from carpet when all else left the stain embedded in the fibers. It works great! Work it in with a toothbrush, let dry overnight, brush off. You may need to do it twice.

Warnings

  • Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands. While the cleaning solution you make with these instructions isn't as harsh as most chemical cleaners on the market, it's still a good idea to be careful.
  • There is a wide array of carpet-cleaning chemicals available. As a general rule, these should be avoided whenever possible, as they can easily damage carpets and may contain caustic ingredients that are not necessary to remove your specific stain. Most of these products are also harmful to the environment, and may cause allergic reactions or poisoning of the user or of children and pets.

Things You'll Need

  • Blunt knife
  • Warm water
  • Spray bottle
  • White cloth
  • Kitchen towel or sturdy paper towel
  • Rubber gloves
  • Mild, non-bleaching detergent
  • A teaspoon
  • Mixing bowl or jug
  • A heavy weight
  • Clear or white plastic bags

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  • VideoJug.com A video on how to remove ketchup from a carpet. The original source of this article. Shared with permission.
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