How To Get Putty Out Of Carpet

How often do you get putty stuck in carpet? Though it may not happen often, it can happen when kids play with silly putty. You may have tried everything from using a vacuum cleaner to even a hairdryer to get the putty out, but nothing seems to work. What should you do?

How To Get Putty Out Of Carpet

If you ever get putty stuck in your carpet, don’t panic! There are several ways to remove it without having to call out a professional. 

The best way to get the silly putty out of the carpet is to use a wet towel.

Simply soak the towel in water, wring it out and then rub the spot where the putty was stuck. This method has worked well for me over the years. This set of instructions will help you to remove the putty, making your carpet look as good as new. 

What Is Putty?

Putty is an easy-to-use product that comes in many colors. It’s used by children to make toys and other things. This is often referred to as “silly putty.” It’s also used by adults to create art projects.

The problem is that sometimes kids or adults accidentally drop the putty, resulting in it potentially ruining your pristine carpet. 

Equipment You’ll Need To Remove Putty Out Of Your Carpet

For the main method, you will only need a few items. They are really simple to find, meaning that you will not need to spend loads of time and money on getting rid of the putty. The equipment includes: 

  • Hot water: this should be super easy to get a hold of. 
  • A clean cloth or towel: this cleaning essential will come in handy. 
  • A carpet that has been contaminated with silly putty: as you may have guessed, this solution requires a carpet that can be cleaned. 
  • A dry cloth: as well as a damp towel, you will need one that is dry. This can be used to keep the carpet dry. 

Instructions

  1. This is an easy-to-follow method for removing putty. To do this, simply:
  2. Soak the towel in warm water.
  3. Squeeze out excess water from the towel. This will stop your carpet from becoming excessively moist. 
  4. Rub the area where the putty was sticking with the towel. 
  5. Rinse the area thoroughly.
  6. Dry the area completely. This can take some time. You can use a hairdryer if you want to speed things up, though you should make sure that it is safe to use on your carpet. Alternatively, use a clean towel to finish drying the area.
  7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 if necessary. This will remove any remaining putty.
  8. Enjoy your beautiful carpet again!

Alternative Solutions

Though this set of instructions should be a sufficient method of removing putty, there are other solutions that you can try. These will be great for stubborn putty that has managed to dry. You may want to try:

Using A Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is one of the most common methods of getting rid of putty.

However, vacuums aren’t always effective at removing all traces of putty. If you’re still struggling after trying this method, you might want to consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning service.

Using Baking Soda

Baking soda is another alternative solution.

Mix equal parts of baking soda and water together until they form a paste. Use a damp cloth to apply the mixture to the affected area. Let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing off.

Spraying Vinegar

Vinegar is another option that works well for removing putty.

Spray vinegar onto the affected area and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then, rinse off the vinegar with a clean cloth. White vinegar is a really useful item for cleaning carpets. 

Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another option that you can try. Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water together and spray the mixture directly onto the affected area. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes before rinsing away.

You should be warned that hydrogen peroxide can be quite a harsh cleaner and can be harmful to the color of your carpet. If you are unsure, apply it to a small and inconspicuous patch first. 

Apply Acetone Nail Polish Remover

Nail polish removers are another way to remove putty.

Apply the remover to the affected area with a cotton wool ball and wait for it to work its magic. After waiting for about 15 minutes, wash the area off with soap and water.

Freeze The Putty

You can also freeze the putty so that it becomes brittle.

To do this, put loads of ice cubes in a bag. Place this bag, which should be big enough to cover the putty, over the carpet. Leave it for approximately 2 hours, during which the putty will harden.

Using a dull knife, break the putty down into smaller chunks. Then use a vacuum to remove this debris. 

Rubbing Alcohol

Alcohol is another alternative to using a vacuum cleaner or baking soda.

Simply mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and water together and rub the mixture on the affected area. Wait for a few minutes then rinse away with soap and water. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can You Remove Silly Putty From Clothing?

Most of the solutions on this guide will also work for clothing.

Once you have removed as much putty as possible, you can put the clothes in the washing machine. Wash them with hot water to sanitize them and get rid of any remaining putty.  

Can I Use A Hairdryer To Remove Silly Putty?

Yes, but only if the putty is not too wet. Otherwise, you could damage your carpet by heating the putty.

The best thing to do would be to use a blow-dryer instead. It’s better than using a hairdryer because it doesn’t heat the putty.

Final Thoughts

Though it can be strenuous to manually remove the putty from carpet fibers, the methods above should prove fruitful.

We have provided a number of solutions for you to try, meaning that you can find the one that works best for you.

Though we are confident that they will be able to remove all the putty, you may need to contact a professional cleaner if it remains. But hopefully, this guide will prevent you from having to pay for a professional.