How Can I Vacuum Up Soot?
- 1). Lay plastic sheeting or towels on the carpet around the soot to protect the carpet from further staining as you work. Kneel on the plastic or towels and avoid walking in the soot. Keep pets and children away from the work area to avoid tracking the soot throughout the house.
- 2). Hold the nozzle of your vacuum a 1/4 inch above the soot to suck up as much of the dry material. Don't use a brush attachment or touch the soot with the vacuum attachment. Doing so will drive the soot further into the carpet.
- 3). Blot the soot stain gently with a chemical sponge. Professional restorers use chemical sponges to lift soot and dirt out of carpets and off walls. When one side of the sponge becomes dirty, turn it to expose a clean area. When the entire sponge is black, cut off thin portions of the sponge to reveal a clean surface. Do not wet the sponge or wring out the chemicals.
- 4). Spray minor remaining stains with a dry carpet cleaning product. Wait 10 minutes or according to package directions and vacuum the foam up. Repeat this method if the stain remains or have the carpet professionally cleaned.