Spilling ash on your carpet can be such a terrible feeling. Whether you dropped an incense holder or a friend carelessly knocked over an ashtray, it can feel like you need to say goodbye to crisp, clean carpets.
This is particularly bad news if you’re renting your home or apartment, or if you like your home to look its best. However, it does not need to be the end of the world!
There are actually quite a few ways you can get the ash out of your carpet. In this article, we will discuss the various ways this can be done. So, if this is of interest to you, read on for more!
Ways You Can Get Ash Out Of Your Carpet
Step 1: Gather The Ash
If ash has spilled on your carpet, chances are there’s a lot of it. If this is true for you, then the first thing you need to do is scoop the ash up before you can think about cleaning any stains.
You should do this with a spoon, and try not to touch, spread, or rub the ash as best as you can. This reduces the amount of stain you will need to clean up later.
Place all of the collected ash into a container as you scoop it, and then when you’re done, you should immediately place the container into the disposal. This minimizes the risk of you spilling it again.
Step 2: Cleaning The Ash
Use A Lint Roller
So, now that you have scooped up all the ash you can, you will need to clean up the remaining ash that you couldn’t scoop. The first way you can try this is by using a lint roller.
You should gently move the lint roller over the ash stains, but avoid pressing the lint roller into the carpet or you risk rubbing the ash further into the carpet and making the stain worse.
Once the lint sheet you are using gets covered in ash, you should replace it with another one and repeat until all of the other ash has been cleaned up.
Use A Damp Sponge
The next thing you can try is using a damp sponge to absorb the ash. This technique works best if you gently blot the carpet, do not rub the carpet with the sponge in any way.
When you think you have picked up a lot of ash, you need to squeeze the sponge over the trash or the sink to get out the water. This will help to stop the spread of the ash, too.
If these techniques worked, then it is time to move on to the next step.
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Step 3: Dry The Carpet
Now, you need to let the carpet dry, and the best way to do this is by letting it air dry. This may take a few hours, but it is the best way to dry the carpet. If you try to dry the carpet by hand, then you risk pushing the ash into the fibers further.
Additionally, if the ash has spilled into an open area of the carpet that is popular to walk over, then it is best to place something over it, like a coffee table, so nobody steps onto it and risks spreading or worsening the stain.
It is important to note that you do not turn any fans on to speed up the drying process. If you do this, you risk spreading the ash all over the carpet and breathing it in. Here, you risk irritating your lungs, so it is better off avoided.
Step 4: Use Baking Soda
When the carpet is dry, you may see some ash still remaining. Here, you should pour baking soda over the stain. Make sure you only use a thin layer. Baking soda is great in this situation because it will absorb any leftover residue, as well as deodorize the smell of ash.
If you do not have any baking soda, then cornstarch is a suitable replacement. Alternatively, you can use carpet cleaning powder.
Step Five: Waiting
Now, you need to let the baking soda or chosen alternative sit for at least an hour. This will allow the baking soda sufficient time to clean up any ashy smell left behind.
Please note that one hour is the minimum time you should be waiting, and this baking soda trick will be more effective the longer you leave it.
Step 6: Cleaning
Once an hour has passed, you can use a vacuum, sweeping brush, or lint roller to pick up the baking soda or alternative. Clean up as much of the baking soda and ash as you can.
If you still see ash, try to clean it gently. If you see baking soda and ash mixed together, then feel free to use more force to clean it up.
Step 7: Re-Cleaning
If this doesn’t work, do not panic! You may just need to go over the area again. Do this by blotting the area with a damp sponge. Now that you have already completed the baking soda step, removing the remaining ash should be an easier task.
Here, you should repeatedly blot the affected area until the ash has gone. Don’t forget to squeeze your sponge!
Step 8: Re-Vacuuming
Now that you have re-blotted the carpet, you need to wait for it to dry. Once it has dried, you can try re-vacuuming, or using your sweeping brush or lint roller to pick up any remaining ash or baking soda.
Final Thoughts
Tipping ash onto a carpet can feel like you need to kiss that carpet goodbye. However, this is not the case, and the carpet can be cleaned by following the steps above!
First, scoop up the ash, then gently clean the carpet with a damp sponge or lint roller. Then, pour a thin layer of baking soda over the ash once the carpet has dried and wait an hour before vacuuming.
Repeat as necessary, and your carpet should be as good as new!
