Although Fabuloso is a hard surface cleaner, many people take the chance and use it on porous surfaces. But can it be used to clean carpets? Will it bleach the carpet? What to do if you accidentally spill bleach on your carpet? Read on to find out more.
Will Fabuloso Bleach the Carpet?
Fabuloso is a multi-purpose cleaner designed to be used on non-porous, hard surfaces. A carpet is made of natural or synthetic fibers. If you use it frequently on the carpet as a carpet cleaner, you may end up damaging the fibers.
Fabuloso products do not contain bleach. So, the chances of Fabuloso bleaching the carpet are minimal. However, if you spill bleach accidentally, it will discolor any carpet that is not white.
Possibility of Using Fabuloso in a Carpet Shampooer!
As explained above, Fabuloso is for hard surfaces, so it is advisable not to use it on other types of surfaces.
A carpet shampooer is used to deep clean the carpets. The right cleaning solution is required for this.
Do not use Fabuloso to deep clean the carpets as its chemicals can damage the carpet fibers. It can be used to clean small stains but should not be used in the carpet shampooer in place of carpet shampoo.
However, research shows that people do use Fabuloso to clean surface stains on the carpet. Before you try it, spot test on an inconspicuous area first. Use the following steps to remove unsightly blemishes:
1- Pour a little amount of Fabuloso on the stain
2- Take a cloth and continuously press the area to loosen the dirt. Leave it on for a few minutes. Examine to see if the stain has faded.
3- Spray the area with water and dab with a clean cloth.
4- Keep blotting till the area dries.
If you deep clean your carpet with products that are not as per the manufacturer’s guidelines, you can lose the warranty.
Neutralizing a Bleached Carpet!
Bleach should not be used on carpets under any circumstance. Bleach does not color the carpet, instead, it removes the color.
Bleach remains active on the carpet, and thus needs to be neutralized. If it is not neutralized, young children, pets, and even animals can sustain chemical burns. Use gloves when dealing with bleach.
If you accidentally spill bleach, do the following:
1- Blot the Spot with Water
Immediately take a damp cloth and blot the area with it. Do not scrub the area as it will cause the bleach to spread.
2- Apply Baking Soda
a. Mix baking soda and water to make a paste. Apply it to the bleached area.
b. Let it dry and then vacuum. This prevents further damage to the carpet and neutralizes the bleach.
3- Use Dish Soap
a. Combine ½ a tablespoon of dish soap into a cup of warm water. Apply to the spot and let it remain for 5 minutes.
b. Blot the area with a damp sponge.
c. Repeat this to lift the bleach out.
4- Vinegar
a. Mix 2 cups of warm water and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar.
b. Pour it on the stain and wait for a few minutes. Dab the area with a cloth.
c. If it is still visible, pour some more solution.
d. Once the stain fades, rinse the area with water and put a dry towel to absorb the water.
You can either use dish soap or vinegar. There is no guarantee that this will remove the bleach stains.
5- Use a Commercial Bleach Neutralizer
Each Bleach Neutralizer will have its own instructions on usage.
Ways to Fix the Bleached Spots
The discolored area will need to be redyed. This is done in the following various ways:
1- Professional Treatment
Hire a professional to reapply color using dyes specific for carpets. This is highly advisable if the stained area is extensive.
2- Use automotive carpet dyes
These are special dyes used to hide stains and improve the original color. Use as per instructions indicated on the packet.
DIY ways include:
1- Acrylic Paint
Using this depends on the size and original color of the bleached area. Mix the paint with water and paint the fibers carefully and lightly, to avoid a thick coat of paint. Mix colors if you need, to get the closest match.
2- Hair Dye
Apply the dye and begin to blow dry it for about 20-30 minutes. it may appear black, but the real color of the dye will begin to show. Use good quality hair dye that is the closest match to your carpet.
3- Ink
You can try sharpies, pens, or markers that are the closest match to your carpet and color the fibers.
Note: if any of these come in a spray form, do not spray on the carpet directly. Spray it in an unwanted container first and apply it to the carpet fibers using a paintbrush.
While the DIY methods may seem cheaper, it is recommended to hire a professional to restore the color of your carpet. DIY methods may not work, and they may add to the damage done.
Final Thoughts!
Fabuloso should not be used in a carpet shampooer. It can be used to remove the odd stains on the carpet, but do not make a habit of it. However, Fabuloso or Fabuloso Complete does not contain any bleach, so if you use it on the carpet, it should not cause any discoloration.
