Accidental spills can result in frustrating stains because bleach works by stripping a material of its pigment.Taking immediate action can help you minimize the damage.Blot the area with cold water and then apply a solution of water or dish detergent.Baking soda and water paste can be used.Recoloring a stain using a crayon or interior paint is possible if the stain has set and the color has been stripped.Talk to a professional cleaner about cutting or patching the area if all else fails.
Step 1: Blot away wet bleach with a towel.
If you act quickly, you can save the color of your carpet.Put a towel or cloth under cold water and squeeze it out to get rid of the affected area.Blot with repeated motions instead of scrubbing.The bleach will be deeper into the carpet fibers.You don't want to get stained if you use a white towel.
Step 2: Put detergent over the stain.
After blotting the stain with cold water, mix half of liquid dishwashing detergent with a cup of warm water.For larger stains, use the same ratio and let it sit for about five minutes.You could use distilled white vinegar as an alternative to soap.
Step 3: Use a sponge or cloth to clean the area.
After five minutes, use a clean, damp sponge or cloth to clean the area you soaked in the detergent solution.To get your sponge or cloth damp, be sure to use cold water.You should lift all of the residual bleach out of your carpet 2 more times.To avoid spreading the stain, blotting from the outside should be done.Depending on how much bleach you use and how many times you clean the carpet, you may need to use a new rag.
Step 4: The stain should be colored with a crayon that matches the carpet color.
Try to find a matching crayon by looking in your art supplies or taking a few carpet fibers to a store.Taking care to color down to the base of the fibers is what you need to work the crayon into the bleached area.If you want to avoid coloring unbleached fibers, try to stay within the lines of the stain.Sometimes marker pens can be helpful.
Step 5: The patch should beDiluted with a damp towel.
The patch will likely be darker than the surrounding carpet.To spread the pigment, use a damp towel.Continue to mix the colors until you have a match for your carpet.
Step 6: Use interior paint.
If the spot is hidden, you can use interior paint.Use a fine-tipped paintbrush to apply a thin coat over the stain, and try to paint each fiber from its base to the top.To keep them thin, be sure to apply more coats.The best thing about using interior paint is that you can take some carpet fibers to your local home improvement store and have them match the color you want.Interior paint should not be used in spots that receive a lot of foot traffic.The carpet fibers will be made stiff by the paint.
Step 7: A professional carpet cleaner can help.
If you don't want to take the chance of recoloring the stain on your own, ask a professional for help.A professional cleaner can clean the stain and cut out the fibers.
Step 8: Before cleaning a stain, read the bleach label.
If you want to use a product on a bleach stain, be sure to read the directions and warnings.Ammonia can cause a toxic reaction if it is mixed with bleach.If you intend to use any cleaning or repair product, make sure it doesn't contain any of those ingredients.
Step 9: Wear gloves.
You should keep in mind that bleach can harm your skin.Before you attempt to wash bleach out of your carpet, wear protective gloves.Even though the bleach has dried, the chemicals are still present.
Step 10: There should be plenty of air-flow.
Lightheadedness, nausea, and other ailments can be caused by fumes from bleach.The combined smell of the two will be even more overwhelming if you use vinegar to clean it.While you work on the stain, open some windows and/or set up fans to draw the fumes away from you.