How do I cover a bleached spot on a wool carpet?

Yes
by Yes

A contractor spilled something on the carpet and after he left I saw it ( pic 1 ) and applied 'Resolve" carpet cleaner but it made it much worse ( pic 2 ) what can I do now? It may be a wool carpet. maybe I can cover it with something or use a different cleanser? I hope someone has a suggestion. Thank you very much

Pic 1 - close up about 6 inches away from stain

Pic 2 - about 18 inches away from now larger stain

  14 answers
  • Carolyn and Carolyn and on Dec 28, 2018

    you can try using some dye but watered down

  • Julies1949 Julies1949 on Dec 28, 2018

    Cut out a square shape around the stain. Cut the same size square from the closet carpet. Swap the squares.

    • Brenda Brenda on Dec 29, 2018

      This works. Might see faint lines but much better than the stain. As time goes on it will be less visible if visible at all

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Dec 28, 2018

    Do you have any left over carpet to patch? That area is pretty much ruined. The contractor should have insurance to fix it or replace.

  • Dee Dee on Dec 29, 2018

    I put a decorative throw rug over the area.

  • Che Che on Dec 29, 2018

    I didnt have a WOOL rug but I did have a spill of paint on a rug in one of my rentals... In trying to clean it up with paint thinner, then water and a cloth, I noticed that the rug looked even better.... It was faded and the paint color washed down blended it together beautifully... You might want to try a very tiny spot first...

  • Carol Cole Carol Cole on Dec 29, 2018

    Call the contractor he did it to begin with.

  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Dec 29, 2018

    The contractor is responsible. You can patch with another piece as this may be the only way to get rid of the spot. If you do patch be sure the grain goes the same way.

  • Carole Carole on Dec 29, 2018

    First try and determine what was spilled. That could be key to a solution. Next do you have a scrap of the carpet anywhere to experiment on? It is hard to tell from the pictures if it is shadow or the carpet needs a deep clean. For a deep clean use only water. No soap at this point. See if that lessens the spot. It could be only dust dirt wicking up from underneath the carpet and pad.


    Folex Instant Carpet cleaner is the best all around cleaner. Spray and dab towards the center following instructions. May have to do several times.


    *Last resort: If all else fails mix a weak solution of what the agent was and lightly mist out. If the carpet is ruined beyond hope this might make it more blended until you can replace it.

  • Lois Ann Jernigan Bowman Lois Ann Jernigan Bowman on Dec 29, 2018

    I have a similar problem. Not wool carpet, but thick plush. Bought home with spots right in the middle where previous owner tried to clean spots with bleach. Left yellowish spots in dark brown carpet. Can't afford to replace so placed large chair over spots. Not sure how to fix. Would love suggestions also.

    • See 1 previous
    • Lois Ann Jernigan Bowman Lois Ann Jernigan Bowman on Jan 02, 2019

      I'm not sure painting will help. The stains go all the way down. Thought about dying but not sure what type of dye.

  • Kathy Allen Kathy Allen on Dec 29, 2018

    If not a large spot you can try this; cut out just the yarn threads that are damaged, and glue in some threads cut from another spot in an inconspicuous place. Use a super glue for fabrics. My husband used to do this for cars that had burn holes and stains in cars. Not really noticeable if done carefully.

  • Oliva Oliva on Dec 29, 2018

    Given the cost of wool carpeting, you should definitely contact your contractor for remediation.

  • Chris Gignac Chris Gignac on Dec 29, 2018

    I don’t want to seem rude. Possibly the problem isn’t that bad. Maybe now you have a very clean spot on a relatively dirty carpet. I would suggest cleaning the entire carpet and then assessing how bad the damage really is.

  • Mona Blake Mona Blake on Dec 29, 2018

    I agree. Clean first, reassess, then contact the contractor if still noticeable.

  • Hughes Dylan Hughes Dylan on Mar 25, 2019

    This is not actually a stain that you can 'get out'. You removed the color from the carpet. You only really have a couple of options. If you have some scraps of the carpet left:


    1. Try to create a stain that will match it. Try coffee, tea, Rit dye, face powder, cinnamon, ginger or something else. Try it on a scrap before you try it on your carpet!


    2. If you can not stain it, replace it with a piece of the scrap. This should only be undertaken by a professional or after you have practiced it with old carpet!


    3. Stain your entire carpet with bleach to match.


    4. Learn to live with it.

    Good luck