How To Get Playdough Out Of Carpet

If you’re a parent of young kids – it’s probably quite common to find brilliant blobs of playdough enhancing the texture of your carpet. Besides being a staple of every child’s playtime, playdough often finds its way into the carpet fibres, making parents wonder to themselves at some point – ‘how can you get playdough out of the carpet without causing damage?’

Well, we’ve got you.

Before we dive into the details, it’s worth mentioning that you should always test any cleaning method on a concealed area of your carpet first to ensure it doesn’t cause any discolouration or damage.

Method 1: The Efficacy of Vinegar – Nature’s Own Cleaning Agent

There’s a reason why vinegar is a favourite among cleaning enthusiasts. By learning how to use vinegar to get playdough out of the carpet, you can wave goodbye to those stains!

1. Manual Removal: Start by removing as much of the playdough as possible, using a spoon or butter knife. This will spare you from spreading the playdough further into the carpet fibres.
2. Preparing the Vinegar Solution: Following this, it’s time to prepare the vinegar solution. A 50/50 mix of vinegar and water is often sufficient for lighter stains. Consider upgrading to a potent blend of Oxyclean or laundry detergent with water for more persistent spots.
3. Vigorously yet Caringly Clean: Next, attentively apply the solution to the stained area. Gently scrub with a brush and blot it dry. Remember, the aim here is to remove the playdough, not push it further in!

Method 2: How WD-40 Can Help Get Playdough Out of Carpet

Next on our list is our dependable friend, WD-40. Ideally suited to remove playdough from carpet due to its penetrating properties, its easy application makes it one of the best solutions for this unsightly problem.

1. Scrape, Don’t Spread: Begin by scraping up as much of the playdough as possible using a dull knife or spatula. Avoid pulling the playdough further into the carpet.
2. Time for WD-40: Apply a generous amount of WD-40 on the concerned area. Let it sit for a few minutes, enough time for WD-40 to work its magic.
3. Scrub Away the Remains: Use a moist cloth to scrub the WD-40 into the playdough-smeared area. Continue to do this until the playdough stain lifts entirely.

Method 3: How to Remove Playdough from Carpet Using Ice

The final method requires you to freeze the playdough before trying to remove it. If you’re curious about how to use ice to get playdough out of carpet, read on!

1. Freeze and Harden: Place a bag of ice over the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes. Freezing hardens the playdough, making it simpler to extract.
2. Scrape it Off: Once the playdough has sufficiently hardened, use a blunt utensil, such as a butter knife or spoon, to scrape it off the carpet.
3. The Final Touch: To ensure every tiny bit is removed, vacuum the area afterwards, leaving your carpet as neat as new.

Method 4: Carpet Cleaner – Your Go-to Solution

Commercial carpet cleaners can be highly effective in dealing with stubborn playdough stains. They break down the stains and make them easy to clean.

1. Playdough Scrape off: Begin by scraping off as much playdough as possible. Using a blunt knife, be gentle to not damage your carpet.
2. Apply the Cleaner: Spray a generous amount of carpet cleaner onto the affected area and let it soak in for a few minutes to break down the playdough.
3. Scrub and Rinse: Gently scrub the treated area with a soft bristle brush, then blot with a clean, damp cloth. Allow the area to dry naturally.

Method 5: How to Use Hot Water Extraction for Intensive Cleaning

Renting a hot water extraction carpet cleaner, often referred to as a steam cleaner, can provide an intense deep clean to rid your carpet of playdough.

1. Prepare Your Carpet: Vacuum your carpet thoroughly to remove any loose playdough particles.
2. Steam Cleaning: Follow the machine instructions to deep clean your carpet. The high-temperature water effectively loosens the playdough from the carpet fibers.
3. Drying: Let your carpet dry thoroughly. Depending on the room temperature and humidity, this could take up to 24 hours.

Method 6: Using The Natural Miracle Cleaner, Baking Soda

This kitchen staple is an excellent natural cleanser that can help lift playdough stains.

1. Apply Baking Soda:
   Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the stained area. Let it sit overnight to loosen the playdough.
2. Vacuum: The following day, vacuum up the baking soda along with any loosened playdough.
3. Rinse and Dry: If needed, rinse with a damp cloth and allow the area to dry.

Method 7: Rubbing Alcohol to Fight Stains Chemically

Rubbing alcohol is another great way to make playdough stains disappear.

1. Apply Rubbing Alcohol: Dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and blot the stain.
2. Blot It Out: Continue blotting until you see the stain lifting. Make sure to avoid rubbing so you don’t spread the stain.
3. Rinse and Dry: Rinse the treated area with water and blot it dry.

Method 8: Hydrogen Peroxide as the Last Resort

Used as a last-ditch effort, hydrogen peroxide is a powerful cleaning agent, but it can bleach some fabrics, so be cautious and test it first on a hidden area.

1. Apply Hydrogen Peroxide: Dab a small amount of hydrogen peroxide using a cloth on the stained area, this will help in breaking down the playdough.
2. Blot Gently: Carefully blot the area to lift the playdough.
3. Rinse and Dry: Rinse with water and blot dry.

With these additional eight methods, you are now equipped with a range of solutions, from natural cleaners to commercial products, to tackle any playdough stain on your carpet. Remember, while it may require several attempts, patience will reward you with a playdough-free carpet!

The Do’s and Don’ts of Removing Playdough from Carpet

Removing playdough from the carpet might seem straightforward at first glance, but due to the nature of both materials, certain precautions should be taken to avoid complicating the process or causing unnecessary damage to your carpet. Here, we list some important do’s and don’ts when trying to get playdough out of your carpet.

Do’s

1. Take Immediate Action: The quicker you act upon a playdough stain, the easier it will be to remove. Fresh playdough hasn’t had the opportunity to firmly embed itself into the carpet fibers, making removal significantly easier.
2. Test Cleaning Solutions First: Always test any cleaning product or method on a small, unnoticeable patch of carpet first. This primarily serves to ensure the product won’t discolor or damage your carpet.
3. Scrape Gently: When particle removal is necessary, use a blunt tool to gently scrape off the hardened playdough without damaging the carpet foundation.
4. Blot Instead of Rub: When cleaning the stain, always blot; never rub. Rubbing can spread the stain and push it deeper into the carpet.

Don’ts

1. Avoid Excessive Moisture: Too much liquid can damage the backing of your carpet or may cause discoloration. Therefore, ensure to blot the carpet dry after employing any wet cleaning method.
2. Avoid High Heat: It can permanently set stains, making them impossible to remove. Be cautious when utilizing heat-based methods or tools.
3. Don’t Rush: Patience is key in this process. Allowing cleaning solutions enough time to work effectively can yield better results than rushing the process.