How to Get Peanut Butter Out of Carpet

Remove peanut butter stains from carpet by reacting quickly and decisively.

Use common household cleansers that are immediately available, so it isn’t necessary to run to the store while the peanut butter stain sets in.

1. Treat peanut butter stains immediately after they occur. Use a butter knife to gently scrape off as much of the peanut butter as possible without grinding it into the carpet.

2. Apply a small amount of acetone or nail polish remover evenly over the peanut butter stain and blot it with an absorbent towel.

3. Sponge the peanut butter stain with white vinegar, working from the outside of the stain toward the center to avoid spreading it.

4. Remove stubborn peanut butter stains -- those not responding to previous cleaning attempts -- by mixing 1 tbsp. white vinegar and 1tbsp. liquid detergent to with 2 cups of warm water. Sponge the stain thoroughly and blot the liquid up with clean, absorbent cloth.

5. Rinse a sponge liberally in clear water, sponge the stain thoroughly and blot up the detergent and vinegar residue with a dry, absorbent cloth.

Tip

Vacuum the carpet regularly with a well-functioning vacuum cleaner to make it simpler to clean a stain when it occurs. Less dirt in the carpet means less material to add to a potential stain.

Warning

Acetone melts some synthetic fibers. Make certain to carefully read the label on the carpet and test the acetone on an out-of-sight area. Clean peanut butter from the carpet as soon as possible since the oils may discolor the carpet. Soaps or cleansers with bleaches or lanolin may damage carpets. Read labels carefully.