How To Get Rubber Cement Out Of Carpet (Step-by-Step Guide)

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart

There are a few things that parents love as much as helping their kids with arts and crafts. Of course, this can often lead to spills (rather than thrills) if you’re not careful. For most adults, there are few things that are as scary as seeing a large wad of rubber cement getting spilled on the carpet. Thankfully, there are ways to clean it up if you act fast.

Soak a rag in rubbing alcohol and blot the cement stain to break it down. Mix ¼ tablespoon of mild dish soap with 1 quart of water and blot the stain with the solution. Rinse the stain with water and leave the wet rags on the stain until the stain weakens and goes away.

This method will get rid of most rubber cement spills on your carpet, and also will help you keep your carpet’s fibers intact. However, this alone might not be enough to get rid of the cement in your carpet. We’ve got a full scoop on what can help…

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Best Way To Get Rubber Cement Out Of Your Carpet

The best way to get rid of it is to use a blotting technique combined with some dish soap. This method is gentle on carpet fibers and also works with the chemistry of rubber cement to help lift things out of your carpet with ease.

If you do not want to use dish soap, there is another way to use blotting to get the stuff out of your carpet. Just follow these steps:

  • Scrape away as much of the cement as possible. You want to avoid having to dab more than you need to. If you have a wet carpet vacuum or an extractor, now would be a good time to use it.
  • Dip a rag in rubbing alcohol and dab it on the cement stain. The alcohol will be able to dissolve the stain and lift it up in a pinch. Do not get the alcohol on the carpet backing, and do not rub it around in circular motions as you can destroy the carpet’s fibers.
  • Get some soapy water and apply a small amount of it to the stain. The detergent should be the same mixture as our primary method—1/4 teaspoon of dish soap to 1 quart of water.
  • Keep blotting. You should be able to lift up the rubber cement altogether after a while.
  • Rinse with water, then pile rags on it to help it dry. Don’t press down, but let it just sit there on its own.

This is a slightly stronger method, but it won’t always be enough. We don’t suggest this one right off the bat, simply because it can damage carpet fibers if done incorrectly.

Is It Safe To Use A Wet Vacuum Or Extractor On Your Carpet?

Both wet vacuums and carpet extractors can be incredibly useful for picking up substances like rubber cement or glue.

If you find yourself in a situation where you have a very large spill of either substance, it makes sense to use a carpet extractor. To make sure that your extractor doesn’t get clogged up, add water to the stain beforehand or use another diluting agent first.

Rubber Cement Dried Into My Carpet

If the rubber cement dried, try to break it apart with the rubbing alcohol. Most of the time, it’ll work well enough that you won’t have to despair.

However, if it doesn’t work entirely to your satisfaction, there’s one other way to make sure that you get your carpet clean and spot-free.

Many people would argue that you might be better off just calling professionals if your cement dried into your rug. If you have the money for it, you should consider it. It could help.

Can I Remove Rubber Cement On My Own?

This is a tough question to ask. If you have a durable carpet that’s not made of silk or organic material, you should give it a try.

However, due to the nature of cement glue, you will need to realize that there’s a little more risk to this than other cleaning methods. If you do not feel comfortable cleaning your carpet, just call professionals for help.

How To Get Rid Of The Rubber Cement From Your Carpet

This isn’t going to be an easy task, especially if your kiddo smooshed it in there good. For the most part, people will be able to get rid of the majority of rubber cement using a blotting technique and dish detergent. Here’s a last-ditch attempt you can do to make your carpet cement-free:

  • Grab a bottle of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and moisten the carpeting area that was affected by the spill. Try not to get it deep in there, since this can harm certain carpet backings. The idea is that you just want the peroxide to break apart the glue at the top of the carpet. So while it should be wet, it shouldn’t soak in.
  • Let the area sit alone for one hour. This gives the hydrogen peroxide enough time to work itself in.
  • Use a cloth to blot at the stain. Yep, we’re back to blotting. The peroxide, if it worked, should have liquidated the cement and made it easier to sop up.
  • Keep blotting until the stain disappears. Much like with getting rid of coconut oil from a carpet, you want to blot, not scrub.

Can Rubber Cement Permanently Stain Your Carpet?

If you’re worried about permanent staining, you’d be wise to do so. Rubber cement is one of those substances that can easily cause permanent stains to your carpet if left untreated for too long a time.

Moreover, rubber cement also happens to affect the fibers in your carpet, leaving a starchy, tacky feeling that you won’t enjoy.

To avoid this happening to your carpet, make an effort to treat the stain as soon as it happens. The sooner you treat it, the less likely it is to cause permanent damage.

If it’s already set in, use hydrogen peroxide to treat it. Should you still have a stain or a problem afterward, the best thing you can do is call a professional to see what can be done.

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Related Questions

Does vinegar break down glue?

If you are working with traditional glue and are having a hard time cleaning things up, head to your kitchen and grab your white vinegar.The acetic acid in the vinegar acts as a perfect way to break down the bonds that are found in most glues. To use it, just splash the vinegar onto the glue and wait for the bonds to break. You should be able to dissolve the bonds pretty quickly with light rubbing.


Can you use WD-40 to remove adhesives?

Anecdotally speaking, WD-40 is a remarkably good cleaning solvent. This is especially true when it comes to things like adhesives that might be spilled on solid surfaces.To use WD-40 to remove glue, spray the WD-40 on the glue stain and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Then, use a scraper or a sponge to remove the adhesive in question.


Can you use nail polish remover to get rid of rubber cement?

While you can use nail polish remover that contains acetone to remove rubber cement, we do not suggest it for carpeting.Nail polish remover’s key ingredient, acetone, is known for interfering with carpet fibers. More specifically, there have been cases where the acetone will rot away the backing of the carpet, causing loose fibers.If you spill rubber cement on your shirt, using nail polish remover can be a good option. Unfortunately, carpets are a no-go due to the risk of damage acetone poses.

Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

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