How to Remove Food Coloring From Carpet
Food coloring enhances the color of your food, but not your carpet. Food coloring can permanently change the color of anything it touches, and it is especially problematic for light carpets.
However, you still don't have to replace the carpet or call a professional service to remove the stain. All you need is some patience and the right tools. Follow these steps to remove food coloring from your carpet.
Prepare to Remove the Food Coloring
To remove the food coloring, gather:
- vacuum
- old toothbrush
- paper towels
- soft cloth or sponge
- spoon or dull knife
- lemon juice or white vinegar
- borax
- club soda (optional)
- dish detergent
If the spot is still wet, blot the stain with a damp paper towel or cloth, but don't rub to avoid damaging fibers as it pushes the stain deeper in the carpet. Blot the stain working from the outer edges to the middle, and change paper towels or cloths as needed.
To remove dried stains, moisten the stain with cool water and let it stand a minute or two. Scrape remnants using the spoon, let the area dry, and vacuum..
Apply Club Soda, Lemon Juice, or Vinegar
Club soda at room temperature is effective for removing water-based stains, and it won't harm the carpet. You still may prefer to test all cleaners on a hidden area of carpet to check the color reaction.
Slowly mist the carpet with the soda, but don't pour it in large amounts. It is not necessary to rinse club soda, and it can be used to rinse other cleaners.
If the stain persists and it isn't red, make a wet spotter from one part glycerin and eight parts water in a spray bottle. Mist the spot with this solution and dab a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice on the area with a sponge or rag.
Blot the area as usual until the stain lifts, rinse with a damp paper towel, and let it dry. To speed drying, place a stack of paper towels on the area, and then lay a heavy object on them. The vinegar or lemon smell should disappear, but sprinkle some carpet freshener on the area, if desired.
Try Borax or Ammonia
For stubborn stains on light carpets or red stains, mix one-fourth cup of ammonia in one cup of warm water. Keep the room ventilated while you work with ammonia.
Blot, rinse, and dry the stain as usual, followed by vacuuming. Alternately, sprinkle borax over the stain, and gently work it into the stain, blot, and dry the area.
If these methods don't work, contact a local carpet cleaner who will have more specialized tools to remove the stain.