How To Rust Stains From Carpet
To clean rust from synthetic carpet, follow the procedures listed below. Begin with step one, progressing only to the next step if necessary. Remember that you always want to use the gentlest approach to cleaning a carpet stain first.
(Begin with step 1, if the stain remains then proceed to the next step. Always test the following stain removal solutions in an inconspicuous area first to make sure they won't damage your carpet.)
Synthetic Carpet
1. Gently flake off as much of the rust as possible with a dull butter knife
2. Use a detergent solution by mixing one teaspoon of clear dish washing liquid with one cup of water.
3. Squeeze lemons into a plastic spray bottle, adding a pinch of salt. Spray on area, let sit for 5-10 minutes then blot dry. Use plain water to remove lemon mixture and blot till gone.
4. Pour white vinegar on area. Allow to sit for 1-2 hours then blot dry.
I absolutely hate it when my carpet rusts. But that's one of the drawbacks of having metallic carpet. I just love the bouncy, springy feel of walking across a gleaming cut pile carpet made from steel. Guess I should have upgraded to the stainless steel carpet but that was extra. Gotta take the bad with the good I suppose.
In all seriousness, while rust may sound like a strange type of stain to have on carpet, it's quite common. Furniture, leaks, gym equipment, and toys are just a few of the usual culprits. If an item is metal and rusty, it can leave a stain.
First let the area dry out completely. Then using a dull butter knife, or any straight edge that won't damage the carpet, gently scrap away at the rust. Hopefully most of it will simply flake off. Be very careful not to damage the carpet. Caution is especially important with berbers as you can pull the loops up if you're not careful. Take your time and be gentle.
After you've flaked off as much as possible, mix cold water with a mild detergent and blot the area further removing the rust. Be careful not to rub the stain as you don't want it to spread. Just blot gently with paper towels.
Hopefully the rust is now gone and you can go celebrate. If not, it's time to go purchase some lemons. Squeeze some lemons into a plastic spray bottle, add a pinch of salt, and shake the thing like crazy to mix. Test in an inconspicuous area to make sure that it doesn't damage your carpet, then spray the stain with the mixture. Let it sit for 5 minutes or so, no more than 10, then blot it dry. Apply plain cold water to the area and blot it dry to remove lemon mixture.
As a last resort you can try white vinegar. Keep in mind that if you choose to attempt this method, some vinegar may drip down into the padding giving your pad a nice vinegary smell for awhile. Pour the vinegar directly onto the carpet and let it sit there for an hour or two. Then blot it dry. If you need to, mix a lemon with some water and further blot the area to remove some of the smell.
Hopefully by now you've successfully removed the rust stain and are celebrating with a Corona and a slice of lemon (you did grab yourself something to drink while at the store buying lemons right?!). If not, it's time to contact a professional. We do not recommend attempting to remove rust from delicate materials like silk and wool without professional help.