The Spotlight: Candy Cane Carpets
So, that little elf was merrily eating a candy cane (or any hard candy) and oops! It falls, it lands on the carpet, and the little elf is so embarrassed (or on such a sugar high) that he doesn’t tell anyone until the candy has gotten the carpet nice and sticky.
Don’t worry – here’s Santa’s gift to you, a perfect way to get that sticky residue out of your carpet.
What You’ll Need
Dish Washing Soap
White Vinegar
Water
Spoon
Towels
Vacuum
Spray Bottle
Step 1
Your first step will depend on how long the candy has been stuck in the carpet. If it’s a fresh “drop,” pick up the candy and go to Step 2.
If it’s an older stain, you’ll need to loosen the candy by breaking down the sugars that have glued it to the carpet. Take a wet towel and work the edges of the candy, lifting the candy off the carpet bit by bit. Don’t pull or yank the candy off, but slowly and surely (like taking off a band-aid) work it off the carpet. You can use the spoon to help you out.
Step 2
Now that the candy is gone, we’re going to tackle the residues. If the remaining residue is still wet, use the spoon to remove as much of it as you can. Work from the outside edge toward the center so you don’t spread the stain around.
If it’s an older stain, use the spoon to break up the residue as best you can and vacuum up the debris.
Step 3
In a bowl, mix a half teaspoon of the dish soap with a cup of warm water. Wet a towel in the solution and wring it until it’s damp.*
Blot the spot with the towel, working from the outside edge toward the center. Don’t scrub at the stain, as that may spread it around, just be patient and blot. It may take several attempts before you get all the residue out of the carpet.
Step 4
Once the residue is gone, spritz the area with water and blot it dry. Do this at least one more time to remove any of the soap you used to clean the carpet.
Step 5 (Optional)
Sometimes, this method can make any remaining sugars turn slightly brown. If that happens, mix one part white vinegar with two parts water, dampen a towel with the solution, and blot the spots. Repeat this process once and then flush and dry the area again.
Thanks to HowToCleanStuff.net and HowToCleanAnything.com for the great tips!
NOTE: If the residue is brightly colored with a lot of different artificial dyes, call Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning. Trying to treat strong artificial dyes at home could cause more problems; our stain removal experts have specialty products that can clean up after even the clumsiest elf!
*Before you start cleaning, first test this solution on your carpet. Find an inconspicuous area, blot a small amount of the product onto it, and let it dwell for thirty seconds. If you notice any color loss, don’t use the solution. Be sure to rinse and dry the area you tested.
