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How to Remove Olive Oil From Carpet

Melynda Sorrels

Running in the house with olive oil is a guaranteed recipe for disaster. Olive oil is undoubtedly one of the trickiest substances to get out of your carpet. There are several kinds of olive oil, and not all of them are used for cooking. Lampante oil is a type of olive oil that is actually used for oil lamps.

However, no matter what kind of olive oil finds its way onto your carpet, it can be removed. Next time, consider running with the cap on.

Warning

It is important that the carpet dries in a timely manner or mold may set in. Make sure that your vacuum is a wet/dry vacuum before attempting to use it to clean up olive oil.

  1. Blot up any excess olive oil. You can place a piece of newspaper or a paper bag over the area to absorb what won’t come up by blotting with a soft, clean, dry cloth. Allow the paper to sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes and replace it when it is soaked through. Keep doing this until no more oil comes up.

  2. Cover the area with cornstarch or baby powder and allow it to sit for an hour to draw the oil out of the carpet and absorb it.

  3. Vacuum the area and repeat if the oil spill was large.

  4. Apply a thin layer of Dawn dish soap to the stained area and scrub it into the carpet with an old toothbrush. Allow it to sit for 2 or 3 minutes.

  5. Rinse the area by pouring a small amount of clear water onto the stain and blotting it up with a soft, clean, dry cloth.

  6. Aim a fan at the spot to help it dry or use a hair dryer on the cool setting.

The Drip Cap

  • Running in the house with olive oil is a guaranteed recipe for disaster.
  • There are several kinds of olive oil, and not all of them are used for cooking.
  • Allow the paper to sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes and replace it when it is soaked through.
  • Vacuum the area and repeat if the oil spill was large.