How to Remove Blu-Tack From Carpets

Blu Tack is a reusable adhesive that works especially well for attaching art to walls and doors, but it has many other uses as well. This versatile putty is great to have around the house unless you drop it and have to remove the blob from a carpet. You need not fear, though, because getting Blu Tack out of carpet is not as hard as you might think.

Blu Tack is manufactured by Bostik, which describes the adhesive as "permanently plastic" and "pliable and nontoxic." Bostik will not share the formula for Blu Tack but calls it a "synthetic rubber compound." Other subject-area specialists speculate that the blue substance also contains mineral fillers, pigments and mineral oil. This may explain why it is hard – but not impossible – to remove Blu Tack from carpet.

Besides its namesake color, Blu Tack comes in white, green, orange, yellow and pink. No matter the color, though, you will want to get it out of your carpet should it land there. You can get rid of Blu Tack on carpet using ingredients that you probably have in your house already.

As is the case with most stains or other messes, the best way to get Blu Tack out of carpets is to act swiftly. Unless it has hardened onto the carpet fibers, use a spoon or dull knife to scrape off as much of the Blu Tack as you can. However, if it is stuck onto the carpet, you should not do this because you might pull the fibers right out.

Next, mix 2 tablespoons of mild laundry detergent (without bleach) into 1 cup of warm water. Soak a cotton ball in there and then allow this to sit on and saturate the entire stain for 20 minutes. Then, put a towel on top and press down firmly. Once the detergent is absorbed, remove the leftover Blu Tack particles with a damp cloth. Let it air dry and vacuum.

White vinegar can also get Blu Tack out of a carpet. Warm up the vinegar on medium heat, dip in a clean white cloth and apply it to the stain. Give this about 15 to 30 minutes and it should soften up the stain and make it easy to peel off. Be sure to rinse and dry the carpet when finished.

You can also try a bit of rubbing alcohol to get the Blu Tack out of your carpet. Pour the alcohol onto a clean cloth and use that to saturate the stain. You may then be able to scrape off the mess with a dull knife. Citrus-based degreasers can also work just as well, and olive and eucalyptus oil are also thought to be effective.

Before using any cleaners or solvents on your carpeting, first test them in a hidden area, like an unused corner. You never know how cleaners will react with carpet fibers, so it pays to be careful. Also be sure to remove the cleaner from the carpet when you are finished using a mild soap. You can run a fan or use a hair dryer afterward. Many experts also say that using some fresh Blu Tack and pressing it to the Blu Tack stain will pull it up.