How to Remove Magna Chloride Carpet Stains

Use mild products to remove magna chloride products from your carpet.

Magna, or magnesium, chloride is a common ingredient used to bind edible soy products, including tofu, and as a chemical de-icer. The product is effective for melting ice on your walkway but will wreak havoc on your indoor carpeting. Magnesium chloride de-icer effectively melts ice at below-zero temperatures but has a catastrophic effect on your carpeting, according to the Utah State University Cooperative Extension. Use the correct tools to salvage your magnesium chloride-stained carpets. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• Shop vac or industrial vacuum
• Water
• Wet/dry vac or towels
• 2 tbsp. liquid dish soap
• Plastic scrub brush
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol

Instructions

1. Remove the loose magnesium chloride de-icer, using a shop vac or industrial vacuum. Don't attempt to use your household vacuum to remove the de-icer; you could damage the machine. Continue to run the vacuum over the affected area until the loose de-icer is completely removed.

2. Bring 1 gallon of water to a boil over high heat. Continue to heat the water until it reaches a temperature of 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Remove the water from the heat and rinse the affected carpet. Allow the carpet to air dry or remove the excess moisture with a wet/dry vac or soak it up with towels.

4. Create a mixture of 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap and 1/2 gallon of hot water. Stir the ingredients to create a sudsy mixture and pour it onto the affected carpeting. Work the mixture into the carpeting with a plastic scrub brush to prevent leaving a greasy buildup from the magna chloride.

5. Create a mixture of 1 gallon of hot water and 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol. Pour the mixture onto the affected carpet to remove the soapy mixture and any remaining de-icer.

6. Dab at the carpet with a towel to remove excess liquid and allow it to dry completely before using.

Tips & Warnings

• Place entrance mats at your doors to prevent tracking magnesium chloride de-icer into your home.

• Avoid using magnesium chloride if temperatures are not below 6 degrees below zero outdoors. Instead, use sodium chloride products to prevent possible damage to indoor carpets and flooring.

References

• SnoMelt: FAQ
• Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Deicing Compounds and Utah Landscapes