How to remove iodine stains from carpets

 Iodine is found in the medicine cabinet of almost every house hold. Owing to its multi-purpose nature, it is universally and rampantly used. However, when it makes its way from the cabinet to your carpet, then the spectacle is definitely not that appealing. Perhaps your kid knocked over your iodine bottle causing it to spill all over your carpet and consequently staining it. Whatever the situation might be iodine stains can ruin your carpets and ought to be removed as swiftly as possible.

Moreover, since iodine is a natural stain, therefore its removal becomes all the more difficult. However, if you embark upon the following method and follow it appropriately, then the successful removal of these iodine stains becomes very likely.

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Iodine Stain Removal using various solvents and per oxide

 Iodine is a stubborn stain and if not treated appropriately and swiftly, it has the potential of ruining your carpet for good. Owing to this very reason, the following method makes use of several strong cleaning agents to ensure that the stain gets out successfully.

  

Things that you will require:

·      Rubbing alcohol/ dry cleaning solvent/ citrus solvent

·      Hydrogen per oxide

·      Ammonia

·      Warm water

·      Detergent

·      cloth

·      Spoon

·      Towels

·      Vinegar

·      Sponge

Steps that you need to take:

1.   Primarily, scoop up any excess iodine from the stain, using a spoon. It is better that you start from the edge and then move towards the center, so that the stain doesn’t spread any further.

2.   Apply either rubbing alcohol or any dry cleaning solvent or citrus solvent on the stain.

3.   After the application of either one of these solvents, gently blot it on the stain with the help of a clean cloth or towel. Rinse the stain by sponging it without soaking the carpet.

4.   To ensure the removal of all iodine stain remnants, take some liquid detergent and pour it on the stain. Let it sit in for almost five minutes.

5.   Gently blot the stain with this detergent and rinse the stain.

6.   If the stain happens to be very stubborn and still refuses to come off, then you will have to go for a stronger cleaning solution .For this, take some hydrogen per oxide and apply it on the stain (three tbsp. warm water and one tbsp. hydrogen per oxide). After the application of per oxide, place a towel over it so that any light cannot penetrate through.

7.      Let the per oxide stand for thirty minutes and check periodically for loss of stain’s color.

8.      Again rinse the carpet and if the stain has been removed by now, then blot it dry.

9.      Otherwise you still have ammonia and vinegar as an option. Ammonia also performs the same role as per oxide and has to be applied in the same manner. Here too, you have to watch for loss of color. Vinegar can also be used in the same manner as ammonia and hydrogen per oxide.

10.   Once the color of the stain has gone, rinse it with a sponge soaked in warm water and blot it dry.

Tips:

1.   It is better to apply any cleaning agent with the help of a spray bottle so that excessive chemical doesn’t damage the carpet.

2.   Do not scrub the carpet as this action of yours can fray the carpet fibers.