What Causes Rust Stains on Carpet?

Nasty rust or brown stains and black molds are always a nightmare. It’s the rust stains on carpets that might leave you baffled, as you wonder what causes rust stains on carpet. Rust stains are thought to be permanent, but you can actually learn how to remove rust stains from carpets.

Formation of Rust

The exposure of iron to moisture or water leads to a reaction called oxidation, and this is what causes rust stains on carpet. Corrosion of iron typically found on alloy steel is evident when flakes that are reddish-brown in color appear on surfaces.

At home, steel furniture is what causes rust stains on carpet. It is the main culprit, but other items such as lamps are also to be blamed. Before trying to learn how to remove rust stains from carpets, avoid this issue by replacing furniture or using a protective cover on the metal parts.

Loosening and Blotting the Rust

If brown stains are present, think about how to get rust out of carpet. In carpet cleaning, the first step in removing rust stains from carpets is loosening the rust. Clean it off first by gently using a butter knife. This allows you to scrape off and loosen the rust flakes without causing damage to the carpet.

The key principle on how to remove rust stains from carpets successfully is through blotting. Use a sponge lightly saturated with liquid dish soap drops by placing it on the stained area. Leave it soaked for 5-10 minutes and then press on the stains using a white cloth you don’t mind disposing of. Blotting will remove rust stains from carpet by having them stick to the cloth. If there are molds in your carpet, learning how to remove black molds is a different story.

Further Blotting Measures

Second Blotting: Ammonia and Warm Water

You don’t easily finish how to remove rust from carpeting easily, as second blotting is required. Prepare a solution using one tablespoon of ammonia and mix it in a bowl or cup with two cups of warm water. Pour the solution onto the stain and leave it soaking for 5 minutes. Use another piece of white cloth on the stain to blot it.

Second Blotting: Ammonia and Warm Water

If the second blotting won’t remove rust stains from carpet, then a third one will. Blot the stain using a different solution made of salt, lemon juice, and vinegar. Pour the solution onto the stain and let it stand for a few hours.

To blot the rust stain, use a damp cloth and rinse it from time to time to avoid spreading the stain. If you’re using old pieces of clean cloths when learning how to remove rust from carpeting, you can simply dispose of them to avoid repetitive rinsing. Otherwise, you may want to ask for help from area rug cleaning services.

Removing rust stains from carpets is not an easy task. Now that you know how to get rust out of carpet, it’s advisable to protect your carpet by limiting direct contact to any piece of steel. If the stains are too stubborn to remove, consider hiring professional services specializing in spot removal.