Expert: Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs - 11/9/2010

Question
My daughter was trying to be helpful by cleaning up the dog accident but grabbed bleach instead of vinegar. She just badded it on with a paper towel. I ran and got cold water and soaked it on (that might have made it worse) cause I couldn't think of anything else at the moment. What can I do now?

Answer
Hi Beth,

Sorry to hear about your rug!  Bleach is tough, as it doesn't stain, but rather removes the dyes in your rug.  Using water to clean up bleach, while it may not help, is unavoidable, as you wouldn't want bleach residue to remain in your carpet.  

If you're sure that all of your bleach is out, then the next step would be to go to your nearest art supply store and buy some permanent markers in the color of your carpet and start to color away at the "stain."  I know, it sounds crazy, but the only way to fix the problem is to put the color back into the rug, and while they do make carpet dyes on the market, the easiest thing for a non-pro to use is markers.  And, the results are usually not bad at all.  I like Prismacolor and Sharpie brand markers for these types of projects, and I test the color in areas like inside a closet or under a sofa to make sure it is a good match.  

There is no great fix for bleach stains, but there are ways to make the stain less conspicuous.  I hope this information is helpful.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,
Katie

Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs
4210 Howard Ave | Kensington, MD 20895
301.530.6660 | www.jahannandsons.com