Srini asked, How do I clean a carpet where a clothes iron fell on it? While I was ironing my shirts, the iron fell on the carpet by mistake. How do I fix the carpet?
The 
carpet in our homes takes more wear and tear than any other part, so it’s worth the effort to fix problem areas. When irons fall onto the carpet, there are three different levels of burn marks that remain. Sometimes, the iron sits for only a second and the very tops of the fibers are damaged. This is considered a less-severe burn and can be trimmed away. Other times, the iron lands in such a way that a more significant length of the fibers are burnt and requires replacement of that piece of carpet. The least severe is when the fibers are not burnt at all, there are just some scorch marks that can be cleaned away. Follow the instructions below to get the best results possible.
Removing Less-Severe Burns
What You Will Need
- Scissors
- Sandpaper
- Handheld vacuum
- Wide-toothed comb
How to Trim Away the Burnt Fibers
- Begin by sanding away burn marks with sandpaper.
- Vacuum any debris away.
- Remove remaining black fibers by cutting them out with scissors.
- Comb the area with a wide-toothed comb to restore the fibers and blend the area in with the other carpet.
- If a scorch mark remains, follow the direction below for removing scorch marks.
- If you find that more of the carpet was burned, than what you originally thought and/or the removal of the burnt fibers creates a noticeable spot, proceed onto the steps below to replace the section.
Replacing a Section of Carpet with Severe Burns
What You Will Need
- Matching carpet scrap (large enough to cover the burn area), available at carpet stores
- Scissors
- Utility knife
- Carpet adhesive or double-sided carpet tape
- Handheld vacuum
- Paper
- Heavy book
- Wide-toothed comb
How to Remove and Replace the Burnt Section
- Begin by vacuuming any debris away so you can start with a clean work area.
- Use a utility knife to carefully cut out the section of carpet that has been burned. Cut deep enough to cut through the carpet backing, but try to avoid cutting the padding underneath.
- Next, lay the removed piece on top of the scrap piece. Match up any patterns and make sure that the pile is going in the same direction. This will help the new piece to blend in with the remaining carpet.
- Cut around the removed piece, using it as a pattern, to create two pieces that are the same size and shape.
- Next vacuum the section where the carpet was removed to clean out any carpet fibers, etc. that may have collected in the area.
- Place the scrap piece into the hole and trim to make any adjustments. Try to get it to fit as close as possible to the original hole.
- When the piece is cut to the correct size, you are ready to install it. Apply a double-sided tape or carpet adhesive to the padding in the open spot.
- Place the new piece onto the adhesive and ensure that patterns and pile direction are lined up. Press firmly in place.
- Cover with a heavy book to keep the piece in place while the adhesive dries. (Skip to step 11 if using the double-sided tape.)
- Let the dry for several hours before removing the book and/or walking over the area.
- Remove book and gently comb carpet with wide-toothed comb to blend the new piece in with the existing carpeting.
Removing Scorch Marks
A scorch mark is different from a burn in that the fibers have only changed color somewhat from being too close to the high heat, not actually burned or charred. Here’s how to remove the discoloration.
What You Will Need
- Cleaning solution of 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 10 parts water (safe on natural and synthetic fibers), use the regular kind of peroxide (the 3% kind)
- Soft cloths or sponges
- Water
How to Remove Scorch Mark Stains
- If a scorch mark remains, soak a cloth with the cleaning solution and blot the stain working from the outside towards the middle.
- Repeat as necessary until the stain is removed.
- Spray with clean water to rinse.
- Blot with a clean, dry cloth and allow the area to dry completely.
Additional Tips and Advice
- For smaller burns, such as cigarette burns, see our article How to Remove Cigarette Burns from Carpet.
- If you are unsure of this procedure, or uncomfortable in performing the necessary steps, you should not hesitate to contact a carpet professional who will perform the repairs for you.
Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how relieved I am after applying your technique, and it has saved me from losing my deposit to my landlord.
It worked! The sand paper actually worked! Thank you very much. 🙂
Please, could you let me know the strength of the hydrogen peroxide you use on the carpet, and where you can buy it?
I just tried this – brilliant result. I won’t be sleeping in the doghouse after all.
Thanks.
I’ve done this on my carpet and it now looks way better! Thank you! Only problem is that it doesn’t blend too well, as the old carpet is worn and the new piece is springy! Any tips on how to wear it down??
Orla,
Try gently scrubbing it with a scrub brush or damp cloth. You can also place something heavy on it for awhile to flatten it a little. Make sure whatever you use is only the size of the replaced piece though. To do that, you can use something that fits on it but is lightweight, such as a small square book or pad, then place something heavier on top of that like a can of soup. The flat item underneath will help to disperse the weight of the heavier odd-shaped item on top more evenly. Good luck!
I have moved my furniture in my bedroom and have left a mark by dragging the bed on the carpet. Is there anything I can do to take the line away? Thanks.
Mary,
This article might help: How to Remove Dark Soled Shoe Stains from Carpet. Rubber that is often on the bottom of bed posts to prevent scratches on hard floors is similar to shoe rubber.
How do I remove marks on that are left on the iron? The carpet is fixed *thank God*…but my iron…bits of carpet are left on it and I can’t clean it. S.O.S.!
Aldiana,
This is the article that you need: How to Clean Melted Carpet from an Iron’s Plate. Best of luck!
This is a miracle fix! I had dropped my iron on the rug for a few seconds, and it left a light burn, but very obvious. After a minute of using the sandpaper, I could see that it was disappearing! It’s gone with no evidence of the burn mark. Thank you so much; you saved my rug!
I have a light burn mark on my canvas sofa…do you have any tips I could try? Thank you. 🙂
Check it out! We’ve answered your question! Yay!
Use hydrogen peroxide…undiluted, and then when the stain lessens, dry it off and brush it with a new sharp twin razor blade instead of scissors.
How do I remove scorch marks on a nylon carpet?
Carol,
If the method above for scorch marks doesn’t work, try the method for Removing Less-Severe Burns. Nylon tends to burn much more quickly than other fibers, so you may actually have a burn, not a scorch. Good luck!