Do you have black ash or soot stains on your carpet after a fire? Maybe you need to remove ground-in cigarette ash from your carpeting? No matter the source, soot and ash can leave stains on your carpet. These simple steps cover how to get ash out of carpeting.
Why Does Ash and Soot Stain Carpet?
Whether caused by a fire or even smoking a cigarette, ash and soot are the powdery remains when anything burns. Since they are black or grey, ash and soot will leave dark stains on fabric and carpeting.
While all ash can leave a stain, oily or sticky soot from cigarette smoking or kitchen fires can leave thick, black stains on carpeting. Walking on the ash will help grind it into your carpet as well.
Can You Remove Ash Stains From Carpeting?
You can remove ash stains from your carpet, but you should clean it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it is to remove soot stains from carpeting.
Does Carpet Cleaning Remove Ash From the Carpeting?
Shampooing or steam cleaning can remove ash stains from carpeting, but they can also make stains worse. Most carpet cleaning methods only remove dirt and general stains. Since soot or ash stains cling to the carpet fibers, water can actually make them spread.
When steam cleaning your own carpeting, pre-treat the stains using our cleaning method below. If you hire a carpet cleaning contractor, always point out the ash stains on your carpeting before they start.
How To Get Rid of Soot in Your Carpet
The best way to get soot and ash out of the carpet is to absorb the stain and clean the carpet fibers.
- Use baking soda or cornstarch to absorb the ash and soot stains. Sprinkle liberally and leave it for at least one hour.
- Vacuum up the baking soda or cornstarch and look at the carpet. If you still see soot and ash particles, repeat step one.
- Clean the ash with dry-cleaning solvent and a sponge. Apply the solvent to the sponge and gently blot the carpet.
- Remove the solvent with a dry sponge. Blot firmly to soak up the cleaner and clean your carpet fibers.
- If you can still see the ash stain, clean your carpet again with dry-cleaning solvent.
- Get rid of any remaining dry-cleaning solvent by rinsing your carpet with a sponge and clean water.
- Allow the carpeting to dry, then vacuum to restore the carpet pile.
Important Tips for Removing Ash From Your Carpet
- Avoid walking on the ash or soot stain before and during cleaning because it will push the ash deeper into the fibers and make it harder to remove the soot stain from your carpeting.
- Keep the ash stain from spreading by using only a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent, water, or vinegar. Start at the edge and work inward.
- Rubbing will set in the ash and soot, so always blot or dab your carpeting gently.
- Cleaning an ash stain with a dirty sponge will take much longer, so rinse it often.
- For heavy soot stains, use vinegar and baking soda. The foaming will help remove ash and soot faster than baking soda alone. Vinegar will also help remove smoke odors. Rinse well with clean water before using the dry-cleaning solvent.
- Since it can discolor your carpet, test the dry-cleaning solvent on carpeting in a closet, corner, or another out-of-the-way area first.
- If dry-cleaning solvent doesn’t work, try liquid dish soap. Squirt the soap directly on the stain, then blot with a damp sponge. Rinse with clean water, then let it dry thoroughly before vacuuming.
Are you having trouble cleaning soot and ash stains out of your carpeting? Call 877-941-2788 now for a free quote on fast and reliable fire damage cleanup.
