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How To Get Soot Out of Carpet

Have you noticed some dark patches or stains on the carpeting around the fireplace lately? While you may have thought it was from your pet or just a compilation of dirt ground into the fabric, it’s most likely soot. When you ignite a fireplace, whether it’s fueled by wood, coal, or gas, the combustion process creates a carbon by-product called soot. These black deposits don't just adhere to the walls inside the flue. They also exit the open hearth and fall to the floor, getting trapped inside the carpet fibers.

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How Do You Remove Black Soot Stains?

Soot stains darken carpets and leave an unappealing smudge. You may be tempted to brush it away, but that may worsen it. While it can seem challenging, here's one simple yet effective method to get soot out of the carpet in your Washington, DC, area home.

What You Need:

  • A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
  • Club Soda
  • A mild dishwashing liquid
  • Soft brush
  • Paper towels or clean, lint-free cloth

1. The first step is to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to remove any loose soot particles on the carpet. Without a HEPA filter, you will chase soot all over the house. Opening a window or door will also help with ventilation.

3. If club soda doesn’t make the soot stain disappear, you will need a mild detergent with a degreasing agent that is safe for use on most fabrics to loosen the sooty deposits in the carpet. So, mix a tablespoon of a gentle dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn Platinum, with a cup of warm water and apply it to the stained area. Next, gently use a soft brush to work the soap into the stain. Then, wait a few minutes for the soap to loosen the stain.

Prevent Future Staining

Chimney Sweeping without getting your home dirty in Springfield VA

After you get the soot out of the carpet, consider protecting the area with a rug and carpet protector to protect it from future soot and other stains.

You can also consider a professional chimney sweeping to remove creosote from your chimney. Our professionals keep your house clean while removing soot!

4. After a few minutes, use a damp cloth to blot the stain and rinse with a wet cloth. Avoid scrubbing the stain as it could push the deposits further into the carpet, making it harder to remove. Repeat steps 3 & 4 to remove as much of the sooty deposits from the carpet as possible.

5. You can also try a commercial spot removal treatment if the soot is still visible.

Professional Chimney Sweeping and Cleaning in North Bethesda MDBethesda Chimney Cleaning & Soot Removal

If it has been 12 months or more since your last chimney cleaning and inspection, your flue likely contains soot and flammable creosote that needs removal. Bethesda Chimney is your hometown provider of professional chimney cleaning, inspection, and soot removal for residential, commercial, and government buildings throughout Greater Washington DC, Montgomery County, MD, and Northeast Virginia.

Call 202-217-1767 (DC), 301-969-4444 (MD), or 703-935-4444 (VA) to schedule an appointment with a Certified Chimney Sweep® to schedule a chimney inspection. Or, contact us online to speak with a chimney professional.

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