In this article, we will talk about bleach as stain removal, as well as the cause of many carpet stains.

Bleach, when used in moderation, is often a good way to clean many stubborn stains. If other homemade solutions don’t do any difference, going after bleach can be a good idea. However, we usually recommend this to be the last resort, as it can damage or discolor the carpet.

Another common thing are bleach stains, which are quite hard to remove. Working on those often requires recoloring the bleached area, in order to make it look decent again. If you spot the stain soon enough, you may manage to remove it in a standard way, so remember to act fast.

In this article, we will cover both removing bleach stains, and working with bleach to remove the most stubborn stains. We will also answer the common question – Does bleach stain the carpet? If so, what are the circumstances, and how to prevent the discoloring?

Without further ado, let’s get into the proper part of the article.

Does bleach stain the carpet?

This is a common question, as many people recommend using bleach for removing stains. This may seem counterintuitive, as bleach can actually stain the carpet. Bleach will destroy any carpet, that is rich in color, therefore, it can be used only on white carpets. What’s more, it should be diluted with water first – Never use bleach on its own when cleaning stains!

How to properly use bleach to remove carpet stains?

You may be wondering how to properly use bleach to remove carpet stains. There are many misconceptions, that may prevent you from using bleach on your carpet. However, if used with caution, bleach can help you get rid of the most stubborn stain. That being said, there are a few rules to follow when using this product as a cleaning formula.

To make it easier, we will show you a list of steps to take, in order to clean the stain from your carpet. One thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t use bleach on wool carpets, as it can easily make a permanent stain. You also shouldn’t use it on carpets, that are rich in color – It should only be used on white or near-white carpets.

1. Take safety measures – Working with bleach can be harmful both to your carpet and you. Remember to wear gloves and a mask, as this product can damage your respiratory system and skin.
2. Remove the excess – The second you notice the stain, you should use a white cloth to remove the excess. Stains, that are already set in will take longer to remove. You should also make sure, that there are no solid elements in the carpet.
3. Prepare the cleaning formula – Using bleach on its own is a bad idea – You should only use bleach when it’s diluted with water. One cup of bleach with one gallon of water is roughly a good estimate for the working formula.
4. Spray the area with formula – On white carpets, spraying one area is usually enough, however, with darker colors, you may want to spray the whole carpet to keep the same tone. After that, allow the bleach to sit for 30 minutes.
5. Wash the carpet with water – Now you can wash out the bleach from the carpet. Usually, using some type of carpet cleaner is a good idea. Of course, after doing that, you will have to flush the carpet with water once again.
6. Allow the carpet to dry – Your safest option is airdrying the carpet. Keep in mind, that opening doors and windows will speed up the process.

How to remove bleach stains from the carpet?

Bleach can also be your enemy, as soon as you spill some on your carpet. If you don’t notice the spill straight away, removing the stain can be quite troublesome. Waiting too long will leave you with one option, and that is recoloring the stained area.

The first thing, that you should do is clean the dirty area. If the spill is fresh, a homemade solution will be good enough – For this, we usually recommend dish detergent (half tablespoon) mixed with water (one cup). Grab an old towel and dip it in the formula, then, start gently blotting the stain while working from the outside (this will prevent the stain from spreading).

If you don’t have any dishwashing soap, vinegar can work as a good alternative. Mix the vinegar with water in the same proportions, to achieve the most optimal cleaning formula. When cleaning, you should switch the towel, depending on how much bleach you’ve spilled. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.

Keep in mind to wash out any leftover cleaning detergent with water, as if left for too long, it can damage the fibers in your carpet.

If the method written above still didn’t help, you can try recoloring the bleached area. Many people recommend using crayons and diluting the color with a damp towel. A different way of tackling this problem is using interior pain, that matches the tone of your carpet.

Frequently asked questions

What bleach can you use on carpet?

When using bleach as a cleaning detergent, keep in mind to always dilute it in the water. The best proportions are 50% of thin domestic bleach, and 50 % of tap water. Putting this solution into a spray bottle will help you evenly distribute the formula around the dirty area.

Can a bleached carpet be fixed?

There are a couple of ways to fix the bleached carpet. As we previously mentioned, many people recommend using crayons, that are then diluted with a damp towel. Another way to tackle this problem is by using interior paint or putting a patch on the bleached area.

Does vinegar remove bleach stains? 

Vinegar is great for neutralizing all types of stains, including bleach stains. There are many cleaning detergents, that are suitable for this problem, however, using a homemade formula from vinegar and water is good enough.

Conclusion

In conclusion, yes, bleach can stain your carpet, especially when used on its own. Spills are a common problem that has to be taken care of straight away. Otherwise, the dirty area can permanently change color, forcing you to recolor the carpet or cover the spot with a patch.

That being said, bleach can be used for removing very stubborn stains. However, you can’t use bleach on its own, instead, you should dilute the domestic bleach with tap water. The bleach can also be used only on white, or near-white carpets.

We hope, that after reading this article, you won’t have any more bleach stains on your carpet.