How to Get Fiberglass Out of The Carpet (And Keep It Safe)
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So, how to get fiberglass out of carpet? Fiberglass is a handy material for insulating attics, basements, and other areas of the home. Many of us have fiberglass in the house somewhere, even if we don’t realize it!
The only issue is that fiberglass can also cut you if you handle it incorrectly. That’s why it’s so important to clean fiberglass out of carpets and off floors right away.
To get fiberglass out of carpet, you’ll need to gear up and then vacuum the house thoroughly. Any items that can’t be cleaned should be thrown away.
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How to Get Fiberglass Out of Carpet
Do you have unwelcomed fiberglass in your carpet? Whether it is from insulation, a sparkly craft project gone wrong, or another source, getting rid of those tiny fibers can be an annoying and time-consuming task. Keep reading for tips on the best ways to tackle this sticky issue without damaging your flooring along the way.
Step One: Wear Protective Clothing
The first step to cleaning up fiberglass is to put on protective clothing. Now, that might seem extreme if you’ve cleaned up glass shards before, but fiberglass works a little bit differently.
Since fiberglass particles can get into your eyes and mouth, it’s important to wear goggles and a dust mask. You’ll also want to wear pants, gloves, durable shoes, and a long-sleeved shirt to protect your body from getting pierced by the material.
Another pro tip is to wear a hat and tie your hair back. This helps protect you from getting fiberglass in your hair, which can be difficult and dangerous to remove.
Step Two: Locate the Fiberglass Dust Source
Fiberglass dust doesn’t just randomly appear on your carpet. Instead, it originates from somewhere in the home, usually the insulation or air duct systems.
Identifying the source of the fiberglass can help alert you to what you’ll need to repair. It can also alert you to which areas of the carpet need the most cleaning.
Step Three: Remove Furniture
Next, move all the furniture out of the contaminated room. This is important as it will let you clean the floor and make it easy for you to move around.
It’s not a bad idea to clean your upholstery as well. Furniture and upholstery can also attract fiberglass dust particles, even if you can’t see them.
Any furniture that was in a contaminated room should be fully cleaned. If you can’t clean a piece of furniture or item but you notice it contains dust, throw them away.
When you throw these items out, you should seal them in plastic. This prevents the fiberglass dust from blowing off them and back into the home.
Step Four: Vacuum the Carpet
With the furniture out of the way, you’re ready to start vacuuming the carpet. For this step, you should use a vacuum with a ULPA filter or a HEPA vacuum. These types of vacuum cleaners have good filters and won’t blow fiberglass dust particles around the room.
Focus on vacuuming the areas where dust typically accumulates. That means getting into nooks and crannies in the room and using your crevice tools on the edges of the carpet.
After you’ve vacuumed the entire room, go back over the floor. This step is important because it ensures that no other dust particles are floating around.
Pro tip: Do not use regular vacuums because they will blow up the dust particles and spread them all over the house, making it even more unsafe for habitation.
Step Five: Replace the Furniture and Ventilate
Once you’re done vacuuming, wipe down any surfaces in the room. This includes windowsills and doors. Then, move your furniture back into the room.
As soon as everything is in place, ventilate the home. Do this by opening the windows and allowing fresh air to get into the house and circulate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Vacuum Up Fiberglass?
While you can (and should) vacuum up fiberglass, it’s important to use the right type of vacuum. Many standard residential vacuums will blow the dust particles around the room, worsening the issue. As such, you need to use a vacuum with a strong filter.
What Removes Fiberglass?
If you get fiberglass on your skin, simple soap and water are enough to remove it. Wash your hands carefully and then gently wash the area that’s affected by fiberglass. If you’re removing fiberglass from the carpet, on the other hand, you can use a vacuum with a strong filter.