You may have heard that rubbing alcohol is bad for carpets. But is this actually true?
In short, the answer is no. In fact, rubbing alcohol has many good uses when it comes to cleaning carpets. It evaporates quickly, doesn’t wear on the carpet fibers, and can remove different types of stains.
Below we will go over all of the ways alcohol could help your carpet!
What Are the Benefits Of Using Rubbing Alcohol On Your Carpet?
Rubbing Alcohol Could Remove Ink From Carpets
If you have kids chances are you’ve had to deal with ink stains on your carpet. While this can be a pain to clean up, rubbing alcohol can actually do a pretty good job at removing them.
Soak the section of the carpet with a little bit of rubbing alcohol and then use a clean cloth to blot it up. You may need to do this a few times but the stain should eventually come out.
Rubbing Alcohol Could Kill Fleas
If you have pets then you know how annoying fleas can be. Not only do they bite but they also multiply quickly and are hard to get rid of.
Luckily, if you’re dealing with a flea infestation, rubbing alcohol can help. Simply pour some on a cloth and then rub it over any areas where you’ve seen fleas. The alcohol will kill them on contact.
Rubbing Alcohol Could Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles will refuse to lay eggs around rubbing alcohol. So if you have these little pests in your home, it’s a good idea to use alcohol to get rid of them.
Just apply it to any areas where you’ve seen beetles and they should eventually go away.
Rubbing Alcohol Could Deodorize Your Carpet
If your carpet is starting to smell then rubbing alcohol can help freshen it up. Simply put some in a misting spray bottle and lightly mist your carpet. Then, let it air dry. The alcohol will help to neutralize any bad odors and leave your carpet smelling fresh and clean.
You can even mix the rubbing alcohol with some essential oils in order to make your own carpet refresher. Just add a few drops of your favorite oil to the bottle before you mist the carpet.
Rubbing Alcohol Could Remove Mold From A Carpet
Rubbing alcohol is known for killing microbes and mold is no exception. So, if you have mold growing on your carpet, rubbing alcohol can help get rid of it.
If you suspect there’s mold in your carpet you should wipe down the area with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. The mold should come off easily and if you do this regularly it will help prevent mold from coming back.
Are There Any Risks That Come With Using Rubbing Alcohol As a Carpet Cleaner?
While rubbing alcohol certainly has its benefits, there are also some risks you should be aware of.
First and foremost, rubbing alcohol is flammable. So, if you’re using it to clean your carpets make sure you do so in a well-ventilated area and avoid any open flames.
Also, while rubbing alcohol is effective at killing germs, it can also be harsh on your skin. So, if you’re going to be using it regularly, make sure you wear gloves to protect your hands.
Finally, kids, dogs, and cats could be affected if rubbing alcohol is ingested, so it’s best to keep them off the carpet until it’s completely dry and the alcohol has evaporated and aired out.
What Carpet Fabrics Should You Not Put Rubbing Alcohol On?
Rubbing alcohol doesn’t sit within the material like a soap would. Therefor there really aren’t that many fabrics you need to worry about.
If you’re concerned your best bet is to do a patch test in an inconspicuous area first. But generally speaking, you don’t need to worry about rubbing alcohol damaging your carpet.
Can You Put Rubbing Alcohol In a Steam Cleaner?
You could make a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol to use in your steam cleaner. This will help to disinfect your carpet and get rid of any germs that may be lurking within the fibers.
Another method is to use mainly hot water with just 1 or 2 cups of vinegar. This is a more natural solution but it will still work well at disinfecting your carpet.
Are There Any Risks That Come With Using Rubbing Alcohol As a Carpet Cleaner?
While rubbing alcohol certainly has its benefits, there are also some risks you should be aware of.
First and foremost, rubbing alcohol is flammable. So, if you’re using it to clean your carpets make sure you do so in a well-ventilated area and avoid any open flames.
Also, while rubbing alcohol is effective at killing germs, it can also be harsh on your skin. So, if you’re going to be using it regularly, make sure you wear gloves to protect your hands.
Finally, dogs and cats could be affected if rubbing alcohol is ingested, so it’s best to keep them off the carpet until it’s completely dry and the alcohol has evaporated.
Will Rubbing Alcohol Take The Color Out Of Carpet?
Because rubbing alcohol is a solvent, it could remove some of the color from your carpet. This is why it’s always a good idea to do a patch test first.
To do a patch test, simply apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to an inconspicuous area of your carpet and wait to see if any of the color comes out.
This really shouldn’t be an issue if you’re lightly misting the carpet with the alcohol but if you’re soaking the area it’s a good idea to test it first.
What Are Better Options That Alcohol To Clean Your Carpet?
If you’re not comfortable using rubbing alcohol then there are other options available. You could try using white vinegar, which is a natural disinfectant.
Or, you could use a store-bought carpet cleaner that’s specifically designed to clean and disinfect carpets. These usually contain chemicals that are harsher than rubbing alcohol but they’re still considered safe to use on carpet.
In the end, it’s really up to you what you use to clean your carpet. Just be sure to test any solutions in a small area first before using them on the entire carpet.
Conclusion
Rubbing alcohol is a great way to clean and disinfect your carpet. It’s also effective at getting rid of pests like carpet beetles.
Have you ever used rubbing alcohol to clean your carpet? Let us know in the comments below!
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