How to Neutralize Bleach on Carpet

Written By
Dawn Gibbs
Dawn Gibbs
Published: Jul 21, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

You can easily neutralize bleach with items from your kitchen. Once the bleach is neutralized, a good rinsing will round out your immediate task.

Things You Will Need

  • Bowl
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • Water
  • Dry cloth
  • 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
  • Towels
  • Vacuum
  1. Pour 1/4 cup of white vinegar in a bowl and add 1 cup of water. Gently move the bowl back and forth to mix the vinegar and water together.

  2. Pour the vinegar over the bleach stain in the carpet. Do not soak the carpet, but make sure the fibers are wet. Blot the carpet with a dry cloth.

  3. Rinse the bowl and pour in 2 cups of water. Add 1 tsp. of liquid dish soap. Stir with your finger to incorporate the soap into the water. Pour the soapy water over the bleach stain, but do not soak the carpet.

  4. Leave the soapy water in the carpet for five minutes, then blot it up with a dry towel. Pour clean water over the area to rinse it, and blot that up with a dry towel. Repeat the rinsing and blotting until there are no more suds or vinegar smell in the carpet.

  5. Blot the carpet with an additional dry towel until the carpet is dry. Vacuum the carpet to fluff the pile fibers.

The Drip Cap

  • Bleach on carpet can quickly result in white spots or spots of lightened color.
  • You can easily neutralize bleach with items from your kitchen.
  • Pour 1/4 cup of white vinegar in a bowl and add 1 cup of water.
  • Leave the soapy water in the carpet for five minutes, then blot it up with a dry towel.
Dawn Gibbs

Based in Richmond, Va., Dawn Gibbs writes about topics such as history, fashion, literature, crafts, alternative medicine and healthy living. Her work has appeared on GreenDaily.com and several style websites. Gibbs holds a Bachelor of…

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