How To Get Soot and Ash Out of Carpet

If you have ever had a house fire you know how difficult it is to get the smell and stains of soot and ash out of your carpets. Whether it was from a house fire, fireplace, or a cigarette, you still had a challenge to get this cleaned up. Calling a professional carpet cleaner would be an option. If you want to try to get the spot and smell out, try these steps.

I wouldn’t suggest using club soda, which tends to be a common “go-to” to clean up messes. Adding liquid to soot and ash may only make it worse.

Steps To Cleaning Your Carpet

• Remove as much soot and ash as possible by vacuuming up with a detachable hose. You won’t want to spread it by using the floor attachment.
• Once you have cleaned up all the visible debris that remained from the fire is when you continue to your next step. Take your time to get as much as you can vacuumed up.
• Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda or cornstarch on the affected area. Use a good amount.
• Let this sit for at least an hour. Let the magic happen.
  • The baking soda or cornstarch will absorb the smells and allow the ash and soot to be dislodged from the carpet.
• Vacuum again. This will pick up any of the baking soda or cornstarch. Go over the area a few times. This time use the floor attachment.
• After a good amount of time with the vacuum, get a dry, clean, white cloth. Choose something that is lint free. Use some household rubbing alcohol.  Pour a generous amount of rubbing alcohol on the area of stain. The cloth needs to be white for this next step. Dab and press down on the area with the alcohol on it. Hold it down to absorb the alcohol. Take a look at the cloth, is there black soot residue? If so, it’s working.
• Continue this process, turning the cloth to a clean side every time you go back to the carpet. You can add a little more alcohol if need be.
• Continue to press and hold to now absorb the alcohol until you are satisfied with the results.
• Let the carpet dry completely.
• Vacuum completely.
• You should be very satisfied with the results and the smells should be resolved as well.

After trying the above method and you are not happy with the results. Contact a professional carpet cleaner.

Please feel free to contact Chimney Solutions of Indiana for suggestions. We are more than happy to help you find a professional to clean your carpets. We are also here for all your fireplace needs.

Chimney Solutions of Indiana prides itself on customer service. If you have a gas fireplace or any other type of fireplace, call us. We can help with installation, repairs, or consultations. If you have a question regarding fireplaces, please feel free to contact Chimney Solutions of Indiana at 317-757-6979.