It has happened to us all at least once. Whether it is straight bleach or a bleach-base product, the chemical manages to make contact with carpet. No matter if it is a few droplets, or you managed to localize a puddle, bleach is a detriment to your carpets. Bleach is not like other substances where all you need to do is blot it with a paper towel and treat it with vinegar. Where bleach is a lot different, we at DM Carpet Cleaning outlines the basic fundamentals everyone needs to know concerning bleach.

Why Bleach on Carpet is a Spot & Not a Stain

When the bleach mucks the aesthetics of your carpet, most call it a “stain”. When most think of a stain, they think of something can be worked out of the carpets. Unfortunately, the hard truth is that bleach cannot be lifted out of carpets. For instances, when you spill red wine, after the feeling of dread and frustration wanes, you can simply use paper towels to remove the excess liquid and prepare a solution of water, white vinegar and liquid dish soap to remove it with the proper blotting techniques. Bleach on the other hand, cannot be treated in a like manner. Bleach does not coat the carpet fibers like the red wine, but it begins dissolving the color pigmentation of the fibers. Depending on the potency, how long it lingers, and the composition of your carpets will dictate how light the carpet’s color will get. Ranging from lighter shades of your current color to brownish, orangeish or yellowish, and finally to a whitish color.

How to Fix Bleach Spots (And Not Make it Worse)

Should bleach make contact with your carpet, you can reduce the damage it takes by tending it immediately with the following steps but it’s just as important to avoid the following when treating bleach spills:
– Hot water.
– Colored or printed paper towels, cloths, or towels for when you blot.
– Excessive pressure and creating friction by rubbing and scrubbing.

How to Remove Bleach Spots from Carpet

1) Blot: With light pressure, gently blot the excess moisture from the carpet. If necessary, use multiple paper towels to sop up the bleach, the carpet should be only damp. Light pressure will keep the bleach from penetrating deeper and wider within the carpet. Blot the spot on the outer ridges and work your way towards the center to help contain the spill.
2) Rinse: Sparsely sponge cool water onto the stain, being extremely careful not to over saturation. In between rinsing be sure to use a dry towel to absorb the moisture to avoid over saturation if the stain is large and needs multiple applications of water.
3) Apply the vinegar rinse: Combined of 1 cup of cool water and ¼ cup white vinegar in a squirt bottler and mix well. Allow the solution to sit for 5-10 minutes after you moderately spray the solution onto the bleached area.
4) Rinse: With a damp cloth, blot the spot to rinse the out the solution.
5) Dry: To absorb as much of the dampness as possible, use an old towel. Place a dry cloth or towel on the area and weigh it down with a heavy object and let it sit overnight. Vacuum the area in the morning if the spot is thoroughly dried. There will still be an unsightly blemish, but hopefully the damage was reduced.

Carpet Cleaning, Repair, Stain Removal & More in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell, Duluth, Stone Mountain, Covington, Conyers, Loganville & Atlanta Georgia

At any point from where you From here, call DM Carpet Cleaning when your Metro Atlanta carpets are blemished with bleach and our experts will correct it with carpet dyeing services. Call us for all your carpet cleaning, repair and stain removal needs.