How to Remove Carbon Stains
Carbon stains are most frequently the result of smoke damage or soot from a house fire, fireplace, wood-burning stove or even candles. These stains are black in color, and although they appear as if they will just rub off, they can be tough to remove.
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Carbon leaves marks on clothes, walls and even on the bottom of cookware. The stains consist of small dirt particles and produce an oily residue as a result of stalled combustion.
Things You Will Need
- Sponges
- Gloves
- 1 tbsp. tri-sodium phosphate (TSP)
- 2 gallons warm water
- 2 buckets
- Dishwasher detergent
- 8 pints water
- Oven cleaner (specifically for the removal of carbon)
- Cloth
- Hydrogen peroxide
Warning
Using TSP on painted walls may remove the paint.
Walls
-
Wipe the walls with a dry sponge to remove loose carbon.
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Mix 1 tbsp. TSP and 1 gallon warm water in your bucket. Wet a sponge and wipe the stained areas of the wall until the carbon stains are gone. Wear gloves for protection.
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Fill another bucket with 1 gallon warm water. Wet a clean sponge and wipe the walls to remove the TSP solution.
Clothes
-
Combine dishwasher detergent with 8 pints of water in a clean bucket or sink. Mix well.
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Place the carbon-stained garment in the bucket/sink and let it sit overnight.
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Soak the garment in the solution again if you can still see the stain. If the stain is no longer visible, launder as usual.
Cookware
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Spray the bottom of the cookware with oven cleaner, and let sit for several minutes. Wipe with a clean cloth.
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Pour enough hydrogen peroxide in the pan the cover the bottom. Heat the hydrogen peroxide until it is hot, but not boiling.
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Allow the pan to cool for an hour. Wipe the inside of the pan with a cloth to remove carbon stains, then wash and rinse as usual.
The Drip Cap
- Carbon stains are most frequently the result of smoke damage or soot from a house fire, fireplace, wood-burning stove or even candles.
- The stains consist of small dirt particles and produce an oily residue as a result of stalled combustion.
- Wet a sponge and wipe the stained areas of the wall until the carbon stains are gone.
- Spray the bottom of the cookware with oven cleaner, and let sit for several minutes.
References
Writer Bio
Jess Jones worked for a real estate broker in both listing, assessing, and helping to flip residential properties for several years while attending graduate school. After obtaining her own real estate license, she took a position working for a custom home builder. Jones worked closely with clients in finalizing plans, making specific selections for each new build, and helping to solve problems in the building process. She holds both a B.A. and an M.A. in English.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
- Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
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