How To Clean Sticky Residue From Carpet Protection Film
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If you applied carpet film protection for your carpets and now dealing with sticky residue, look no further! You have ended up at the right article.
I’m going to let you in on some of my home remedies and even commercial glue removers that can help you with this sticky mess!
For a solid solution on cleaning residue from carpet shield, read on!
How To Remove Sticky-Icky Residue from Carpet Protection Film
Table of Contents
These protection films are quite the innovation!
They save you time cleaning when you’re renovating your house or doing any task that may ruin the carpet. Carpet protectors are easy to apply, and it peels away when you’re done with your tasks.
(Warning! Here comes the horrid T-word) Sometimes the adhesive can transfer onto your carpet. But they are pretty easy to remove.
A Small Patch or Large Part Of Sticky Residue On Your Carpet
A small patch of residue left shouldn’t be anything to worry about, as you can remove that with some friction and manual labor. It won’t take you more than 30 minutes. However, a larger area needs more attention.
You can use a steam cleaner or citrus-based cleaner according to the type of glue that was on the carpet protection film.
Steam Cleaner
If you have a steam cleaner, you have already won this battle.
Even if you don’t, you can easily rent a steam cleaner from selected hardware stores, which allows you to skip all the bills you might pay to professional cleaners. Here’s an article on some of my favorite steam cleaners with quite competitive specs.
Steam cleaning provides deep penetration into your carpeting, which melts the adhesive and removes it at the same time. Don’t hold it over one part of the carpet for too long, as too much heat can melt the fibers and leave an unsightly burn!
Make sure to know the dos and don’ts of steam cleaning to do it safely!
Citrus-Based Cleaners
Citrus-based cleaners can work for solvent-based adhesive residue. While steam cleaning works here too, you’d have to do it a couple of times to remove all of it. A citrus cleaner will be able to dissolve adhesive in the carpet.
Citrus cleaners contain something called D Limonene. Its nature makes it perfect for removing sticky residue from basically anywhere! Plus, it has a lovely, fresh smell.
You can get one that is specifically for removing adhesive. Follow the steps below:
- With most citrus-based cleaners, you would need to dilute it before use. You can’t use it straight from the bottle as it may result in your carpet getting even messier. Read the label to see dilution instructions.
- Test a bit of your prepared solution on a hidden part to see if it has a negative effect. If it doesn’t, then we are good to go!
- You can use a cloth or paper towel to wipe the cleaner on the adhesive. You can blot or gently scrub the carpet if the residue is stubborn.
Do not scrub vigorously, as you can damage the carpet fibers and thin out the carpet! Also, don’t opt for bleach if you feel as if the citrus cleaner isn’t working, as it can dull out your carpet and cause spotting.
You can also try a homebased solution of lemon essential oil and baking soda. Lemon also contains D Limonene which can dissolve the adhesive.
A More Natural Approach: Vinegar
If you don’t have a citrus cleaner on hand or do not like the smell, you can try a vinegar solution.
⚠️ You must only use distilled white vinegar.
Steps to follow:
- You can use the vinegar straight from the bottle. Use a cloth and wipe the area for a minute, making sure that you soak the area.
- Leave it to set in for about 15 minutes.
- If you want, you can mix a solution of equal parts water and vinegar, but you’d have to leave this solution on overnight.
- Wet a cloth in warm water, wipe away the adhesive and then leave the carpet dry.
Although vinegar is fairly safe for your carpets, you should try the solution on a hidden part just in case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a carpet shield be left on the carpet?
You can leave your carpet shield protection for up to 30 days/1 month. If you exceed this time, it can probably leave a nasty residue.
Can I use WD40?
WD40 is a product that helps to prevent rust and drive out moisture. Apart from this, it has a good chance of removing adhesive transfer from your carpet.
However, it is only suitable for small patches of adhesive. Always check a hidden spot of the carpet with WD40 to ensure it doesn’t damage it.