Cleaning and Stain Removal - Remove Red Stain from Berber?

I spilled some red crystal light on my berber carpet. How or what do I use to remove it? I've tried Resolve carpet granules, just turned it pink. Any recommendations?

Ok first off....get a wet vac move any furniture out of the area...pour a cold water over the area and wet vac all that resolve out...that will not take the spot out.. alot of times some OTC spotters will actually set stains...

once you get all that resolve out...next you have to figure out what type of carpet you have

berber is a style of carpet...it doesnt mean what the carpet is made out of

If the carpet is nylon or olefin you can use a regular reducer such as red relief

if the carpet is wool or natural you can use red relief for wool

there are other reducers and dye removers out there i mention those 2 not to promote them but as i have had great success with them

you can find both products online

keep in mind removing dyes from any carpet is tricky...it usually requires using a heat transfer method

basicly you take the dye remover apply to the spot in question....take a white terry cloth rag soak it in water and ring out the excess..fold it and put over the spot..then take a steam iron set on the lowest "STEAM" setting put on top of the wet rag and leave on there only for 10-15 seconds

if its wool carpet i would use the heat with extreme extreme caution and only do it for 5 seconds or more

after the short time has gone by remove the iron, remove the rag check for color transfer

leave the iron off for a minute and take another damp rag and blot the area..sometimes once you get the dye to transfer with the iron it can blot up

do this for a few minutes then replace the wet rag and repeat with the iron

do these steps back and forth until the spot turns yellow..it should happen fairly quickly once it turns yellow take your wet vac pour warm water over it and suck it out..do this until no residue remains

take some rags fold them double and toss em down and put some old books or something with weight on it..replace the rags even few hours

keep in mind the resolve or other cleaning attempts prior may of damaged the dye in the carpet..making this permanent

if this has happened a carpet cleaning professional can either do a bond insert or re dye the area..a lot of times they can blend the carpet back in and you cant tell the difference

or just call them and have them do the cleaning for you

again be very careful with the heat transfer..that cleaning method is not for everyone..you can melt the fibers if left on too long or distort the pile or even damage the dye

As indicated, berber is a type of weave in any number of types of carpet fibers. Knowing what type of carpet fibers and whether or not your carpet is solution dyed (dye added when fibers in molten state) or if fibers were dyed after fibers and carpet were made (unstable dye) are helpful in knowing how to approach carpet stains. Any DIY cleaning method is best tested in inconspicuous place first for ill effects on dye.

As mentioned, there are red remover products available. Test first in inconspicuous place. Note: Use of improper cleaners may set dye stains. Remove residues of other cleaners by rinsing thoroughly by blotting with plain water.

Always blot, do not rub carpet fibers. Blot from outside stain toward middle to prevent spreading. Always use white rag to prevent imparting dyes to carpet.

Avoid overwetting carpet and cushion. NEVER pour cleaning solution into carpet. Dip rag into cleaner and then blot. Note: The heat transfer method may lighten or remove weaker, unstable carpet dyes.

If in doubt, contact a professional carpet cleaner.

Thank you for the tips. I'll do some reading before attempting anything and may just contact a professional. I'd like to get the deposit back on this apartment some day, lol!

Cheers!:coffee:

Removing red dyes is about the hardest thing to do in carpet and it's pretty easy to set the stain and make it permanent. This is a case where considering a pro isn't a bad idea.