How to Remove Burn Marks on Rugs

If a cigarette or candle burn on your carpet has you steaming, here's a solution that will cool you off. While there's no way to make your carpet look brand-new, you can remove and replace the singed fibers so that you're the only one who'll know the marks were there.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Carpet Glue
• Glue Gun
• Carpet Tractor (roller)
• Replacement Carpet Patch
• Stiff Brush Or Vacuum
• Scissors
• Scissors
• Paper
• Paper
• Pencil
• Carpet Knife Or Utility Knife
• Lightweight Sandpaper Or Steel Wool

1. Gently rub the burned area with lightweight sandpaper or steel wool to remove the melted fibers.

2. Brush or vacuum the burned area to remove any ashes or loose singed fiber. If the burn marks are gone, you can stop here. If you can still see the burn, you'll need to remove and replace that area of carpeting (steps 3 through 8).

3. 

   Carefully cut out the damaged area with a carpet knife or a utility knife (see A), extending your cut at least 2 inches (5 cm) beyond the burn edges. Make sure you cut only the carpet backing--not your floor beneath.

4. Place the cutout on a piece of paper. Trace with a pencil and cut out the pattern.

5. Place your template on a carpet remnant. Or you can use carpet from an inconspicuous area, such as the back of a closet. Cut and remove the replacement carpet patch.

6. 

   Using a glue gun, cover the back side of the replacement carpet with carpet glue and set the piece in place. Rim the edges with glue to prevent the patch from being dislodged during routine cleaning or use.

7. Blend and seal the seams by rolling over the patched area with a carpet tractor (see B).

8. Allow the carpet to dry thoroughly before foot traffic resumes.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find carpet glue and a carpet tractor at most hardware or home supply stores.
• If the burns don't go all the way down to the carpet backing or you're leery about cutting and pasting, you can trim the fibers from the burn hole and glue in replacement fibers. Clip new fibers from a fresh patch of carpet and glue them in place using tweezers. This works only for small burned areas.

[edendorian]

on 1/6/2009 I just followed the instructions above on a berber rug on which an incense stick fell and left a burn "line" and it worked wonderfully! Thank you!!

on 9/10/2007 I just got rid of a iron burn on my carpet using a razor and scissors. I used the razor first to even the surface. I took an ordinary pair of scissors to lop off the melted parts that didn't come off with the razor. The key seems to be to trim a little beyond the burn, so the carpet gradually returns to its normal fluffiness. If you use a little patience and have a good eye, you should be able to make it look as good as new!

on 9/10/2007 If you have a burn in your carpet that singes all of the carpet fibers away, here is an easy tip that will help you fix your carpet burn in no time!
(Please note that this is only for small burned areas)

1. Take an ordinary disposable razor and razor out the remaining burned carpet fibers. Also, make sure you razor around the burn to level out the carpet.

2. Gather up some scissors and cut in an inconspicuous space to gather some carpet fibers. What we recommend is cutting along the edge of the carpet against the wall.

3. With your cut carpet fibers, make sure you have enough to fill the burned section. After you determine that you have enough, get some super glue of some kind (we used Gorilla Glue) and with a Q-tip (broken in half - don't use the cotton side) lightly smear the glue in the burned area.

4. Fill in the burned (and glued) space with carpet fibers. Stamp down with the razor head to secure glue and fibers.

You will find that this is a very cost-effective method that covers up any damage that might have happened. We would recommend staying away from that area (i.e. vacuuming).

on 9/10/2007 As long as the burn is not too deep into the carpet, you can use a disposable razor (like a Bic) to blend in the damaged area. A razor that has already been used is best so as not to cut in too much of the carpet. Just gently shave the burned carpet fibers, not just the burned part, but also the area around it. As you shave the carpet, you use less and less pressure as move away from the damaged area. This way you can blend the shaved area with the rest of the carpet. I have successfully used this method on cigarette burns and on one caused by an iron.

on 11/22/2005 Use Kiwi liquid shoe polish. It comes in a variety of colors; from white to black in small bottles. Dab the color on with the built-in sponge allowing for small bits of color to be added - which will minimize the appearance of the burn. Blend it in by adding a bit at a time and then rubbing around with an old white sock (so no color dye can be transfered). Never ever use a kitchen sponge, they bleed out their color.