Apply a solution of water and vinegar to the affected area and wipe it with a dry piece of cloth. Repeat until the carpet is clean. If the stain is more persistent, use detergent instead of vinegar.
The Best Ways to Get Baking Soda Out of Carpet
Baking soda is a popular cleansing agent used in various carpet cleaning products. But if too much of it falls on the carpet, it can create its own stains.
Anyway, the stiffness in the carpet fabric caused by baking soda isn’t worth the stress, as there are many ways to remove it. What’s more, doing so generally doesn’t require professional help, and the things that you need are most likely already in your home.
This article discusses every possible way you can get the baking soda out of the carpet and other essential tips.
How to Get Baking Soda Out of Carpet with Vinegar?
The highly acidic property of vinegar makes it effective in reacting with and neutralizing baking soda, which is alkaline in nature. In addition, vinegar is non-toxic and eco-friendly, making it the perfect choice if you have pets or kids.
Things You Need
- White Vinegar
- Clean Water
- Sponge
- Dry Cloth
Method
- Mix three parts of water and one part of white vinegar in a clean mixing dish.
- Soak a sponge on the mixture and dab it on the stain.
- Remove the sponge, and apply pressure on the affected area with a dry piece of cloth.
- Repeat until the blemish disappears.
Points to Remember
- Only use white vinegar as other color vinegar can cause further stains.
- Too much water can cause mildew on the carpet. So, go easy while pouring.
- Don’t add more vinegar to the mixture than needed. The solution will be more acidic and potent, damaging the carpet fabric if you do.
How to Get Rid of Baking Soda in Carpet with Detergent Powder?
Since baking soda is water-soluble, detergent powder can dissolve it and wash it away. But again, a detergent is a chemical, so you should use it only if the vinegar solution above doesn’t work.
Things You Need
- A Mild Detergent
- Lukewarm Water
- Water Sprayer
- Dry Cloth
Method
- Pour water and detergent into a sprayer. Shake the mixture until the detergent dilutes completely.
- As the detergent mixes with water, bubbles will start forming. After that, drizzle the solution on the affected area.
- Wait for about two seconds and wipe off the detergent with a clean cloth.
- Repeat the above process until the stain is gone.
Points to Remember
- The water sprayer is essential for this procedure, as it helps to apply the detergent only in the required area.
- The idea is to use as little detergent as possible. Start by mixing only a half tablespoon of mild detergent in 250 ml of water. Increase the amount gradually if the solution doesn’t work.
How to Get Baking Soda Out of Carpet with Shaving Cream
Shaving cream is an effective substance as it acts as a lubricant. It will help to break up the clumps of baking soda and lift them out of the fibers of the carpet.
Things You Will Need
- A mild shaving cream
- Paper towels
- Clean cloth
Method
- Apply shaving cream to the stain.
- Spread the cream with your palm, forming a thick lather.
- Leave it for about five to ten seconds, and use a clean cloth to wipe it off.
Points to Remember
- Don’t buy colored shaving cream. You need one that forms a white foam.
- Some brands of shaving foams are known to be more effective than others for cleaning fabric. You will need to do a little research before deciding on a product.
How to Get Baking Soda Out of Carpet with a Vacuum Cleaner?
You can easily remove baking soda with a vacuum cleaner. But this method isn’t really recommended if the carpet fabric is extra soft and plush, as you will need to vacuum aggressively, and it could easily tear the carpet.
Things You Will Need
- Vacuum cleaner
- Dry Cloth
- Warm water
Method
- Vacuum on the highest settings on the affected area and remove as much stain as possible.
- For the remaining blemishes, add warm water, and let it be for about five to ten seconds.
- Wipe the area with a clean cloth, and then leave it to dry.
- After the surface has dried completely, vacuum again and repeat the above process.
Points to Remember
- It is highly advisable to use vacuum cleaners with a turbo brush feature. The feature allows the device to pull in residue that has made its way deep into the fabric.
- A large amount of baking soda can clog the filters inside the device and even damage the electric motor. To minimize this risk, remove and clean the vacuum filter immediately after cleaning the carpet.
How to Get Baking Soda Out of Carpet with a Pet Brush?
A pet brush can be a great alternative to a vacuum cleaner if you don’t want to take the risk of damaging an expensive device. But expect the process to be a lot of hassle, as you will need to apply pressure with your hands.
Things You Will Need
- Pet Brush
- Warm Water
- Water Sprayer
- Dry Cloth
Method
- Spray a few drops of water to the affected area with a water sprayer.
- Aggressively brush the area with a pet brush until you see the residue come off.
- Clean the area with a dry cloth.
- Repeat the above process until every baking soda particle comes off.
Points to Remember
- Always get the affected area wet before applying the brush.
- If the process isn’t working, try adding white vinegar to the water.
How to Get Baking Soda Out of Carpet with Steam Cleaner
Many professionals use a steam cleaner to remove carpet stains. Now, the device is expensive to buy for occasional use, but some electrical appliance stores allow you to rent it out.
Things You Will Need
- Warm Water
- Sponge
- Steam Cleaner
- A carpet cleaning solution
Method
- Soak water with a sponge, and press gently on the stained area. Remove the sponge after a few seconds.
- Add a 50:50 ratio of hot water and a carpet cleaning solution inside the steam cleaner.
- Start steam cleaning the area with the brush attachment until the stain disappears.
Points to Remember
- Don’t scrub at the stained area; pat gently with the sponge.
- A handheld steam cleaner, which is the smallest type of steam cleaner, is good enough for this job.
Can I Make My Own Carpet Cleaning Solution?
Yes, there are a couple of ways to make your own cleaning solution. But it will be less effective than the ones you get in the market.
Furthermore, there is always a possibility of you mixing more chemicals than needed, which can cause damage to the carpet.
To make a mild and a non-toxic cleaner, mix a 3:1 ratio of warm water and white vinegar, salt, and a teaspoon of essential oil.
For a more potent solution, mix laundry liquid, hot water, fabric softener, and all-purpose liquid cleaner.
When to Call a Professional?
The sooner, the better. If the stain doesn’t go away with vinegar and water solution, you should always consider talking to a professional, as other methods have a good chance of ruining your carpet.
If at any time you see discoloration or wear on the carpet, it basically means that the baking soda particles have rooted deep into the fabric and need professional intervention.
You should also call experts if the stains are big or are spread across the carpet.
Aftercare Tips to Remember
These are the things you need to do after getting rid of the baking soda:
- Place the carpet in direct sunlight if you have used any liquid. Take it inside as soon as the wet area dries, as overexposure to the sun can wither or discolor the fabric.
- Even after bringing the carpet inside, you need to allow air to pass through it for at least 24 hours by either opening a fan or placing it near a window. This is more of a precautionary step to remove any excess water molecule.
- Avoid skin contact with wet carpet fiber. Naturally, you should keep it away from children and pets.
- Only place pieces of furniture above the carpet after 24 hours of cleaning.
FAQs on How to Get Baking Soda Out of Carpet
Can Baking Soda Damage Your Carpet?
No, apart from the starchy stain, baking won’t cause any permanent damage to the fabric. But if you don’t clean it for a long time, it can find its way deep into the fiber, making it harder to remove.
Can Baking Soda Discolor Your Carpet?
No, it won’t. While leaving baking soda on the carpet for more than 24 hours can cause a yellow stain, it will easily go away when cleaned with white vinegar.
