Bleach on Carpet: What to Do Next
Spilling bleach on carpet is one of the most damaging stains. Whether you've knocked over a bottle or tried to use bleach for carpet cleaning, every second counts in preventing lasting damage. Follow these steps to rescue your carpet from bleach.
What happens when bleach gets on carpet?
Getting bleach on carpet causes a chemical reaction that permanently lightens the carpet – just like your hair – so it's important to work as quickly as possible. Even if you manage to get away with minimal colour stripping, bleach can damage the backing and underlay of your carpet.
Keep in mind the corrosive nature of bleach and wear gloves to protect yourself. You should also ventilate the room where the bleach spillage is, to prevent inhaling chemicals, and make sure that pets and children are kept as far away as possible.
Method one: dish soap and water
Start by blotting the area with water and a paper towel. Make sure that you work towards the centre of the stain to avoid spreading any bleach further.
Then, mix one part dish soap with three parts water. Lightly apply this solution to a fresh paper towel or cloth, making sure to squeeze out excess liquid. Use this towel to continue to blot the area, using the same motions towards the centre.
Method two: white vinegar and water
Bleach’s corrosiveness is caused by the fact that it is highly alkaline, so using an acidic product like white vinegar helps to neutralise it.
Use a paper towel to blot away as much bleach as you can, then mix two cups of water with one tablespoon of white vinegar. Using a sponge or cloth, apply this mixture to the area of bleach on carpet. Be careful not to soak your carpet, as this can take a long time to dry and cause other issues like mould.
Leave the solution to work for five minutes, then use a damp cloth to blot the area until the stain disappears.
If there is any residual vinegar smell, you can leave baking soda on your carpet overnight to soak up any remaining mixture. This can then be vacuumed away.
Restoring lost colour
A quick search online will give you all sorts of wacky methods to colour in your carpet after bleach, including permanent marker, crayons and hair dye. However, it is not recommended to try and fix bleach-lightened carpet yourself, as you are likely to just end up with a new stain! If your carpet looks different after removing the bleach, the best option is to consult a professional.
Method three: carpet repair
It’s worth noting that bleach is a serious stain. If you’ve tried to remove bleach to no avail, carpet repair may be the best course of action. This will make that damaged area disappear with near invisible repairs. It eliminates the need to replace the entire carpet, while getting rid of the problem area with a bleach stain. It's a highly specialised skill and only offered by a select number of our members who are full trained to offer this service.
Hire a professional carpet cleaner
Even if you have tried to tackle bleach on your carpet, it's worth bringing in an expert. A professional carpet cleaner can help prevent the long term damage that bleach causes. Use the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) directory to find an experienced cleaner near you. Simply enter your postcode, and we will show you accredited carpet cleaners in your area.
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