Perhaps you moved into a new property, and like in your previous house, you want to put up some lightweight pictures on the walls to make your new space feel like home. But when you check your tenancy agreement, you find there’s a clause banning you from putting holes in the walls.
So, you decide to use blu tack instead. Unfortunately, you accidentally squish some of the blu tack into your rug. Or, maybe your genius toddler who’s into art gets a little more creative with this putty-like pressure-sensitive adhesive and causes a mess. Now your beautiful high-end carpet or rug is stained with sticky marks of the blu tack.
Is it possible to get rid of the mess the DIY way without damaging your carpets before calling a professional carpet cleaning company? Yes, but you need to invest some time and effort. If you’re looking for information on how to remove blu tack from carpet or rugs, then you have come to the right place.
Let’s walk you through some of the recommended blu tack removal. techniques that can restore your carpet to its former glory.
Before you begin
Whether you have installed a low pile or high pile carpet in your home, here are the two things you must keep in mind when you opt for the DIY techniques.
Scrape away the excess blu tack immediately
It is best to remove the squishy substance as soon as it comes in contact with your carpet or rug. Try to remove as much of the adhesive as possible. You can use your fingers, a dull knife, or spoon. If the blu tack had enough time to harden onto the fibres, we advise you to skip this step.
Test the blu tack remover on an inconspicuous area
The main objective is to solve a problem and not create another. You do not want to apply a method that will end up discolouring and damaging your fibres. That’s why we recommend that you always try any new sticky stack remover on a small part of your flooring material.
If you are not comfortable with trying out the removers on any part of your carpet, consider purchasing a separate small carpet with similar material for testing purposes. It will help you determine if a cleaner you are about to use is safe for your carpet or rugs.
Let’s now share the techniques to remove blu tack from rugs.
Blu Tack Removal Method 1# – Use Laundry Detergent
Using laundry detergent is one of the simplest ways to remove the blu tack stuck on the carpet fibres. The detergent molecules have attractive forces strong enough to lift away the putty/ grease from the surfaces of your low pile or high pile carpet.
Here is how to clean your carpets using laundry detergent
- Step 1: Mix mild detergent with warm water:
For every one cup of warm water, you will need about two spoonfuls of laundry detergent. However, be sure the detergent does not contain any type of bleach or chemicals, which might leave stains on your rugs.
- Step 2: Soak a cotton ball in your detergent mixture:
Fans can help improve the airflow and freshen up your flooring material. Ceiling fans are more powerful and effective than the stand or desk fans, but both can do the trick. If you are going to use the stand or desk fan, make sure it is pointed directly to your carpet for faster drying. You do not have to invest in new fans. Renting would be a smart idea.
- Step 3: Let the detergent mixture soak into the carpet:
If you can still see leftover putty, just saturate the entire stained area with the detergent. Leave it for about 20 minutes. After that, cover the blu tack stain using a dry cloth or towel and then press down at medium pressure. The towel will absorb the detergent soaked into your carpet or rug.
- Step 4: Wipe the stained area:
The leftover particles from the squishy substance will be easier to remove with a damp cloth. Let the carpet air-dry completely before vacuuming it to fluff the fibres.
Blu Tack Removal Method 2# -Apply Heat
It could be that you didn’t notice when the blu tack dropped on the rugs. Now it is dry and hard. Do not fret. With the heat method, it is possible to get rid of that unsightly blob.
- Step 1: Heat the affected area:
If you have a hairdryer, set it to the highest steam setting for about 1 to 2 minutes. When you start heating the affected area, make sure the distance between the surface of the rug and dryer is at least 15 cm, especially if you have a low pile carpet. Holding the hairdryer too close might melt the fibres.
- Step 2: Pick up the loose residue:
Use a sandwich bag to collect as many particles as possible. A reusable plastic bag can also serve the same function.
- Step 3: Repeat the process:
You will need to repeat the heating process as many times as possible until nothing is coming off the carpet. High pile carpets will undoubtedly require more reheats.
- Step 4: Try applying muscle relief medication over the remaining stain:
Sounds funny, right? Fortunately, such medication can help break the chemical bond with your rug. It becomes a lot easier to remove any remaining residue with just a damp cloth or towel soaked in a mixture of mild soap and warm water.
- Step 5: Vacuum the stained area:
Give the cleaned area enough time to dry. Once dry, you should vacuum it to restore fibres to normal texture.
White vinegar is a great remedy for carpet and rug maintenance. Its mild acidity is capable of removing blu tack from your flooring material. While it has a pungent smell that some people may find undesirable, the odour usually dissipates as soon as the flooring dries.
To remove blu tack from rugs, here is what you will need to do:
- Step 1: Warm the white vinegar
Put white vinegar in a pot and heat it on a medium heat burner for a few minutes. Or, you can simply heat it in your microwave.
- Step 2: Apply the warm vinegar over the blu tack stain
Dip a clean white cloth or towel into the vinegar and apply it to the stained spot. Make sure the area is adequately wet. Let the vinegar sit for at least 15 minutes to soften the stain. It will make the blob to starting peeling off fairly quickly and easily. If your carpet has taller and thicker fibres with large stains, leave it for about 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Scrape off the blu tack residue
Use a blunt knife or scraper tool to scrape the putty adhesive from your rugs. Be sure to use a wide scraper tool, preferably 4-inch or 6-inch.
- Step 4: Rinse and dry your carpet
Use a damp clean cloth or towel dipped in cool water to make the spot adequately wet. Don’t pour the water directly on your carpet. After rinsing the area, use a paper towel or dry towel to dry it. Avoid rubbing the surface dry. Instead, place the towel over the wet spot and apply medium pressure to suck out water from the rugs. Finally, vacuum the spot to lift the carpet fibres.
Blu Tack Removal Method 4# – Use Eucalyptus or Olive Oil
Eucalyptus or olive oil reduces the stickiness of the blu tack, allowing it to release from the carpets or rugs. It is an ideal option, especially if you’re dealing with hard and dry stains. However, you should only use pure essential oil. Oils with synthetic ingredients may discolour or bleach the flooring materials.
So how do you remove blu tack from the carpet using eucalyptus or olive oil?
- Step 1: Apply the oil to the blu tack stain with a cloth: It is easier to control the amount of essential oil when you apply using cloth rather than pouring it directly over the sticky stack. Apply enough oil to saturate the blob.
- Step 2: Gently scrape the loose blob off with a blunt knife: Scrape towards the centre of the stained area to avoid spreading the stain further. Also, make sure to wipe the sticky tack off your scraping blade after each pass. Otherwise, you might be re-applying the substance to the rugs.
- Step 3: Clean the area with some vinegar and soda bicarbonate: After getting rid of the blu tack, you will also have to address the issue of residual oils. For low pile carpets, just use dish soap and water. If you have high pile carpets or rugs, vinegar and soda bicarbonate works great. The latter should sit for approximately 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Dry and vacuum thoroughly: It will not only fluff the fibres but also remove excess soda from the rugs.
Blu Tack Removal Method 5# -Use Citrus Cleaner with Degreasing Properties
With a citrus-based degreaser, it works into the polymers of the blu tack and loosens the structures. The blob will become less sticky and easier to lift away from the flooring.
To remove blu tack from rugs, here are the steps to follow:
- Step 1: Apply the citrus cleaner to the sticky tack with a clean cloth, and ensure the stained area is saturated.
- Step 2: Let the solvent sit for approximately 10 minutes to work its magic.
- Step 3: Using a butter knife or plastic scraping tool, scrape the loose particles in the same direction.
- Step 4: Clean the area with a mixture of mild detergent and warm water to remove traces of the solvent.
- Step 5 : Use a dry towel to blot the spot and let the carpet air-dry.
- Step 6: Vacuum thoroughly.
Blu Tack Removal Method 6# -Use Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is also another blu tack stain removal method worth trying out. Here are the steps you will need to follow:
- Step 1: Pour a little bit of rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth in order to dampen it.
- Step 2: Press the alcohol into the fibres until the area is saturated.
- Step 3: Use a butter knife to scrape the putty adhesive residue off the rugs.
- Step 4: Repeat the steps above until you get rid of the stain.
- Step 5: Air-dry the carpet or rugs and vacuum them.
You may need to lay the alcohol-soaked cloth over the blob for about 15 minutes before scraping the sticky residue.
Blu Tack Removal Method 7# -Try Applying More Blu Tack to the Blob Bonded With Fibres
We know what’s going through your mind after reading that statement. While it might seem a silly option, this trick has worked for other homeowners. But we must say it is most successful when the sticky substance is not ground deeply into the fibres. You lose nothing giving it a shot.
If you want to try this method, follow the guidelines below.
- Step 1: Wash the stained spot with a damp cloth.
- Step 2: Freeze the blu tack with ice cubes in a re-sealable plastic bag.
- Step 3: Rub a fresh chunk of blu tack towards the dry blob until the two start to stick together.
- Step 4: Once they bond, you’ll find it easier lifting away the mess.
Blu Tack Removal Method 8# -Call Carpet Cleaning Professionals
If the blu tack stains are spread over a large area on your carpet or you have tried all the above methods without success, your best bet is to turn to professional carpet cleaners.
Knowledgeable and trusted London professionals like Carpet Cleaning London Pro use specialised, certified, and environmentally safe cleaning solutions that can address a wide range of stains, including the stubborn sticky blu tack. Get in touch with our crew at 07915 486 314.