How to Remove Tar From Wool Carpet

Tar is commonly found on roads and roofs.

Tar is a sticky substance that can be very difficult to remove. When tar gets tracked onto a wool carpet, it adheres to the fibers and mats them together. There are a few methods you can use to remove the tar and restore the look of your wool carpet.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic spoon
• Cloths
• Dry-cleaning solvent
• Small container
• White vinegar
• Liquid dish soap
• Wooden spoon
• Towels
• Rubbing alcohol
• hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent
• Ammonia

Instructions

For Dark or Colored Carpets

1. Remove as much of the excess tar as possible by scraping it off with a plastic spoon. Discard the spoon when finished.

2. Dampen a cloth with dry-cleaning solvent. Begin at the edge of the tar and blot with the cloth. Continue blotting while moving toward the center until no more liquid is absorbed. Do not allow the solvent to soak into the carpet backing.

3. Fill a small container with 2 cups of warm water. Add 1 tbsp. of white vinegar and 1 tbsp. of liquid dish soap to the water. Mix the contents together with a wooden spoon.

4. Saturate a clean cloth in the mixture and wring out the excess liquid. Blot the tar stain with the cloth until no more liquid can be absorbed.

5. Rinse the mixture off the carpet by blotting with a clean cloth dampened with cool water. Pat the carpet with a towel and let air-dry.

For Light-Colored Carpets

1. Remove as much excess tar as you can off the carpet by scraping with a plastic spoon. Discard the spoon when finished.

2. Mix 1 tbsp. of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide with 3 tbsp. of warm water in a small container. Dampen a cloth in the mixture and blot the tar stain. Continue blotting until the tarred area is thoroughly saturated with the mixture.

3. Place a towel over the area and let it sit for 30 minutes. Check under the towel for colorfastness every five minutes. If discoloration occurs, immediately flush the area with cool water.

4. Rinse the mixture off the carpet by blotting with a clean cloth dampened with cool water. Pat the carpet with a towel to remove the excess liquid. If the stain is not removed, proceed to the next step.

5. Fill a small container with 1/4 cup of ammonia and 1 cup of warm water. Dampen a clean cloth in the mixture. Blot the tar stain with the cloth until no more liquid can be absorbed.

6. Dampen a clean cloth in cool water and blot the area to rinse the mixture off the carpet. Pat the carpet with a towel to remove the excess liquid. Let the carpet air-dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not soak the carpet with any of the solutions. Only the tarred area should be moistened.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster--Tar
• Wolfe Flooring: Home Remedy to Get Out Tar or Pitch Stain
• Channel 4: How To Remove Tar