How To Get Peanut Butter Out Of The Carpet (6 Ways To Do It!)
Everyone loves peanut butter. Nourishing and delicious, it is the perfect sandwich filling, especially with jelly or jam. It’s a versatile ingredient for a number of dishes, ranging from classic cookies to the famous peanut sauces of Indonesia. However, when eating or using peanut butter, an accident may sometimes happen, and some could fall onto your carpet. If this happens, how do you clean it up?
To clean peanut butter out of the carpet, you need to use laundry detergent. Mix one teaspoon of laundry detergent with 3 cups of tepid water, and spray it onto the area using a spray bottle. After letting it sit for a few minutes, dab the area with a clean white cloth. If this method doesn’t work, you can also use washing soda or dish soap. These should do the trick if laundry detergent doesn’t.
In this article, we will provide you with several methods and the step by step instructions for removing peanut butter from your carpet. Go through the list and try each method until you find one that works best for you. A good tip is to use a detergent or soap with grease-cutting action; as peanut butter is oil-based, these products will work best.
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Removing Peanut Butter From Your Carpet
Peanut butter is fantastic and a very healthy snack. However, it’s also very messy. No matter how careful you are, some always seems to get away from you and land on a nearby surface, such as your carpet. Below, we provide several ways to remove peanut butter from your carpet, preventing it from staining.
Since all carpets are different, you may find that one particular method works best for you over another. Take the time to try each method until you find the one that fits best for your particular carpet fibers.
Different Methods To Remove Peanut Butter From Carpet
Before you try any of these methods below, you will need to remove any excess peanut butter. If you don’t take this step, you could potentially spread the peanut butter further into your carpet, resulting in an unsightly stain that you won’t be able to remove.
To remove the extra peanut butter, you can use a spoon or a butter knife. Make sure you scrape with the fibers and not against them. Scraping against will cause it to absorb further down into the carpet, affecting the backing.
Additionally, you can place a piece of plastic over the area and scrape the peanut butter onto it. This way, it doesn’t spread to the adjacent areas around the site.
Laundry Detergent
- Mix the solution. Once the excess has been removed, mix a solution to use on the stain, consisting of I teaspoon of laundry detergent and 3 cups of tepid water. Ensure that the detergent you use doesn’t contain bleach, as this could cause further damage. Place the solution in a clean spray bottle.
- Apply the mixture. After spraying the solution onto the carpet, leave it to work for 3 minutes or so. Then, press a clean white cloth gently onto the stain. The stain will gradually begin to fade as the solution works, and the peanut butter are lifted onto the fabric. Repeat until the stain has been completely removed.
- Remove the residue. Having eliminated the stain on the carpet, the final step is to remove any final residue that may have been left behind in the deeper recesses. Use 1/4 cup or so of tepid water to wet the area where the stain was previously, then blot dry with some clean cloths or old towels.
Dry Cleaning Solution
- Wipe the area with the solution. Using gentle outward movements, stroke a damp pad soaked in a dry-cleaning solution, for example, Afta Cleaning Fluid. Work from the edge of the stain to the center. Place an absorbent sponge soaked with this fluid over the stain, and leave it to absorb the stain. If necessary, remove and replace it with a clean pad. Keep the sponge and the stain wet with the fluid.
- Leave the area to dry. After a final flush with the solvent, leave the stain to dry.
- Apply distilled vinegar. If there are still traces remaining, dampen the area with a wet spotter and a little distilled white vinegar. Place an absorbent pad, with some wet spotter, over the stain. Let it stay in place while it is removing the stain. Change as required, moistening the pad with wet spotter and vinegar. Keep flushing the area with water and repeat until every trace is gone and leave to dry.
Washing Soda
- Clean the affected area. Use a solution of washing soda or some detergent and water. Do not use regular soap.
- Rinse the area. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow to dry. Repeat if necessary. Make sure your carpet is thoroughly dry so that it doesn’t attract dirt and dust.
Mix Your Own Solution
- Rinse the area. Use a sponge or absorbent pad soaked in a solution of warm water and soap to clean the area. Rinse with clean water and dry the area thoroughly.
- Remove the oils. If you see that some oily marks remain, make a mixture comprising of water, detergent powder, and a little bleach. Place it on the stain and place a wet cloth over it to slow down the evaporation process. Once the oil has been absorbed, rinse carefully, and allow it to dry.
Dish Soap
- Create the mixture. Combine some mild dish soap and lukewarm water to create a sudsy solution.
- Tamp the suds onto the stain. Make sure that you don’t soak the area with water.
- Dry the area with a cloth or towel. Try to get most of the moisture out of the carpet fibers.
- Use absorbent powder. Should any stain remain, place some absorbent powder over it, for example, cornmeal. Use a brush with stiff bristles to sweep up the powder onto a dustpan or piece of paper. Repeat as often as required to remove every trace of oil.
Corn Starch
- Cover the stain. Using a paste of cornstarch and tepid water, cover the remaining peanut butter stain.
- Let it dry. Leave it to dry, then brush away the powder, and if any stain remains, repeat the process as required. The powder will absorb the oils of the peanut butter, turning them into dust.
Related Questions
What will dissolve peanut butter?
Put a few tablespoons of flaxseed meal into a glass and rub it onto the area using a wooden spoon. The flaxseed will pick up the peanut butter cleanly.You can apply the flaxseed to peanut butter stains and it might do the trick in dissolving the remaining oils.
Does peanut butter stains come out?
Although it is an oily stain, peanut butter is not too difficult to remove from surfaces, providing they are washable.The first step is to remove any peanut butter from the spot, using the blunt edge of a knife, a spoon, or even a credit card. Next, use a stain removing solvents such as Zout, Shout, or Spray and Wash.
How do you remove peanut butter from your clothing?
If you drop peanut butter on your clothes, immediately remove the extra amount from the garment. Run the area under cold water while you pinch and rub the stain.Afterward, apply some degreasing dish soap and let it sit for a few minutes before tossing it into the washer. You can also soak the spot in vinegar for additional stain-fighting benefits.
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Wrapping It Up
Peanut butter is terrific when you’re enjoying it in a meal; however, it’s not so great when you drop it onto your carpet. If this happens to you, you must immediately remove the extra globs from your carpet fibers. By taking this immediate and necessary action, you can avoid the risk of a stain developing.
Don’t be discouraged if one of the above methods don’t work for you. Each carpet is different, and what worked for someone else may not work for you. Take the time to find the best method for your situation.
And remember, when cleaning any substance out of your carpet: Always work from the outside in; that way, you don’t spread the product to the surrounding areas. You don’t want to create more work for yourself!
Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.
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