Regular vacuuming of carpets and rugs might help remove the dust and other debris, but it won’t eliminate the challenging oil and grease stains. While serving or eating dinner, food might spill and ruin your carpet because of grease stains. But this doesn’t mean that you have to replace your rug.

So, if you want to know how to remove oil from a carpet, you’ve come to the right place. You might not be able to throw a rug into the washing machine, but you can still eliminate all the tough and stubborn stains and enjoy a clean carpet.

How to Remove Oil From Carpet

Oil and grease are considered hydrophobic because they don’t mix with water. So, you can’t use water to break these stains. Unfortunately, most stains aren’t tackled quickly, so they set into the fibres of your carpet, becoming more challenging to remove with time.

Luckily, there are several ways to remove oil stains from your carpet, and the tools you need are available in your kitchen, so you can tackle the stain as soon as you notice it. These cleaning methods work for all types of oil, so you can use them to remove olive oil, baby oil, motor oil, and all other types of oil.

Nevertheless, there are certain things to consider before tackling an oil stain.

  • Always blot the excess liquid before cleaning an oil stain.
  • If the oil has dried, use a knife to scrape it.
  • Don’t rub the oil; it will settle into the carpet’s fibres and become more challenging to remove.
  • Work from the outside of the stain towards the centre.
  • Use a soft brush to remove the stain. Harsh brushes might damage the fibres

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Using Dish Soap

Dish soap is made to dissolve grease, so it can work to remove the oil stains from your carpet. Luckily, it won’t cause any discolouration or damage to the fibres. You can also make it at home and use natural ingredients.

However, this method will only work if you have a small drop of oil on your carpet. Here’s how to use it.

  • Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with one cup of water.
  • Use a clean rug and dip it into the solution.
  • Rub the cleaning solution on the stain, starting from the outer corners and working towards the centre.
  • After removing the stain, rinse the area with water and let it dry.

Learn more: How To Get Pollen Out Of Carpet

Using Baking Soda

Baking soda is highly absorbent, absorbing oil from your carpet without damaging it or causing discolouration. It’s also non-toxic, so you can safely use it around the house, and unlike chemical cleaners, it has no negative impact on the environment. Here’s how to use it to remove oil stains.

  • Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet.
  • Use a brush to rub the stain, but be careful not to rub too softly or harshly.
  • Wait for 15 minutes until the baking soda penetrates the carpet’s fibres.
  • Vacuum the baking soda to clean the carpet.
  • Apply some dish soap to the rug and mix it with some water. Do not apply too much water, as this will make removing the solution more difficult.
  • Rub the soap and then blot it.

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Using Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a safe solvent that won’t cause discolouration. However, it’s flammable, so you should be careful while applying it to your carpet. Fortunately, it’s also cheap, so you won’t have to spend much cash cleaning your carpet.

The only problem with using alcohol is the smell. The smell can be pretty annoying, but it doesn’t last. Avoid using air fresheners because they will worsen the problem. Keep the windows open, and the smell will disappear after a while. Here’s how to use it.

  • Apply rubbing alcohol onto the stain.
  • Use a clean, light-coloured rug to press the alcohol into the carpet.
  • Don’t rub the alcohol, as this might cause the stain to spread.
  • Let the alcohol sit for a while, and then blot it dry.
  • Rinse the area with some water and blot the excess water.

Using Baby Powder

Baby powder is another absorbent that can be used to remove oil stains. Once you apply it to a liquid stain, it will quickly help remove it before it settles into the fibres of your carpet. Here’s how to use it.

  • Sprinkle baby powder on your carpet.
  • Use a soft brush to rub the baby powder, working from the outside towards the centre.
  • Vacuum the excess baby powder to clean the carpet.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most robust cleaning solutions, but many homeowners avoid using it to clean their carpets. Although it’s a strong and potent cleaning solution, it can cause discolouration and might damage your carpet.

This is why you should test it on a hidden patch before applying it to the stain. If everything else has failed, I recommend this method. Here’s how to use it.

  • Pour some hydrogen peroxide on the oil stain.
  • Add some drops of dish soap and sprinkle some baking soda to clean the stain.
  • Use a small brush to rub the stain from the outside towards the centre.
  • Let the mixture sit for 30 to 60 minutes until it works.
  • Rinse the spot using lukewarm water until you’ve removed all the residue.
  • Let the spot air dry and check the stain.

Wrap Up

Oil stains can be difficult to remove, especially when left to dry. The oil settles into the carpet’s fibres, and you might end up with a stubborn stain that ruins the look of your rug.

These home cleaning solutions will help remove oil from your carpet, but if nothing works, you might have to hire a professional to clean your rug. Some stains can be too old, and applying these home remedies won’t work. In this case, hiring a professional will be the best solution.