Clean a Bleach Spill on Carpet

Essentially, recoloring carpet after it has been spotted accidentally with bleached. This is for small areas or spots of bleach.

Steps

  1. Inspect the carpet that has bleach spots on it for color. Imagine all the colors that might have been used to create the color you're trying to match. This technique is especially effective for 'modeled' colored carpet. Tend toward darker colors in the pallet you're trying to match. Select these colors from your coloring crayon collection.
  2. Start with a small area first (1" circle) to see how the color transfers. You can do bigger swatches (up to 3") as you get a feel for the process and colors that work.
  3. Put iron (with extension cord as needed) on medium-low heat. Less is better, always, when starting out.
  4. Use a damp rag that has been wrung out so it is somewhere between dripping and almost dry. Place the rag over the spot to color and apply heat with the iron. Just 5-10 seconds so you can just barely touch your hand to the carpet when you removed the rag.
  5. Immediately, while it's still warm, but very soft and gently at first, "color" on the carpet with the crayon. Use a couple of colors in a small area to start.
  6. Go back to the damp rag and iron after a few swipes with the crayon. You are 'setting' the dye from the crayon and also removing the wax with the heat so move your rag around as you go.
  7. Be sure your rag is damp enough. You do not want it to get dry and then melt the carpet underneath by accident.
  8. Keep working with different colors as needed in small areas.

Tips

  • Do not put the iron directly on the carpet. Unless you have wool, which most of us do not, you can melt your carpet. Always use the damp cloth. Be sure the cloth is big enough that you don't run off the edges when you push the iron around on it.

Things You'll Need

  • Coloring crayons, standard type
  • Iron
  • Damp rags to be thrown away
  • Board or tray -to set the hot iron on when you're not using it.