How To Get Soot And Ash Out Of Carpet

If you find yourself with soot and/or ash on your carpet, we have the solution for you. Whether it is from a fire, or some ash flew out of your fireplace. There are specific suggestions to get the soot and ash out without too much trouble.

Let us go through a step-by-step guide to cleaning soot and ash out of your carpet.

Step One

Vacuum up any loose debris. Don’t run the vacuum cleaner over the soiled area. Use the nozzle and lightly dab at the loose particles in an up-and-down motion.  

Step Two

The best products to use, which you most likely have on hand are baking soda or cornstarch. Sprinkle the baking soda or cornstarch all around the area of concern. Leave it be for a while. It is suggested for a full hour. These products will work to absorb the odor and moisture. Watch and see, they do work wonders.

Step Three

Come back after an hour. Use the vacuum nozzle again in the same manner you did in step one. Do not rub it in, this will only be harder to get up later. Vacuum, using the suction to vacuum up the baking soda or cornstarch. 

Step Four  

It is advised to repeat step three until you feel that all the loose particles of the baking soda or cornstarch are gone. If there is some debris still in the carpet, use a little more baking soda or cornstarch and agitate the area. Make sure that the baking soda or cornstarch gets well into the carpet.

Step Five

Finally, use a clean white cloth. Be sure that it is lint-free. A colored cloth can cause more of a stain requiring an expensive repair.  Pour some rubbing alcohol onto the cloth.  Start dabbing up and down. Pressing into the carpet as you dab. You should see black residue on the white cloth. If you do, you are successfully cleaning your carpet. Apply pressure as you blot the stain. Continue with the dabbing. Be sure to continue turning the cloth so as not to put the soot and ash back into the carpet. 

And there you have it. If you find that you are still unhappy with the results, you may want to have a professional look at it. Contact Felgemacher Masonry, we will give you suggestions as to who to call for a cleaning. In Buffalo call us at 716-907-4914 or in Rochester at 585-308-4914. 

When it is time to have your annual inspection or cleaning, give us a call.  We have experience in cleaning all types of chimneys. 

A clean chimney is a safe chimney, and we’ll keep yours as safe and efficient as it can be. Our owners are certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America – a stringent industry certification held by only the best sweeps in the U.S. We remove flammable creosote from chimney flues, reducing the chance of a chimney fire. We also remove debris and obstructions that could hamper the drafting of smoke and carbon monoxide.