Taking fish oil supplements on a regular basis is a great way to meet your body’s nutritional needs. However, it’s not unusual for some of it to end up on your carpet. For instance, fighting against the clock while preparing yourself for an important meeting can lead to such a problem. The thing is, although picking up the gel caps is straightforward, the difficulty arises when accidentally crushing a capsule against the rug’s surface. Now we will discuss how to get fish oil out of carpet.
Because the fish oil supplement has a light golden color, the stain it might leave on light-colored carpets can be pretty visible. Also, if the smashed gel cap has already reached the oxidation stage, you’re more likely to notice a putrid stench emanating from your carpet. What causes the foul odor is lipid peroxides, which are a result of omega-3 oxidation.
Without wasting too much time, let’s walk you through the steps required to clean fish oil liquid, stains, and odor from your carpet.
Table of Contents
How to Get Fish Oil Out of Carpet
Blot the Excess
Using a cotton ball or a paper towel, try to absorb as much fluid as you can. Continue blotting until there is nothing left on the carpet. Remember that this step is crucial since it will considerably minimize the work you have to do for the subsequent phases.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a non-toxic natural product that you should use after absorbing fish oil fluid. Simply sprinkle a liberal amount of this ingredient over the soiled area and work it into the carpet with a soft brush. Leave it for around 45 minutes to 1 hour to absorb the fish oil properly. Then, vacuum everything thoroughly, making sure that nothing is left behind.
If you don’t have baking soda on hand, you can use talcum powder, cornstarch, or kitty litter instead. However, we recommend baking soda because it is practical, inexpensive, and can eliminate the fish oil smell. In other words, since baking soda has odor-neutralizing properties, it can eliminate the stench while absorbing the fish oil fluid.
Side note: Not vacuuming your carpet properly after using baking soda or any other cleaning powder can result in powder buildup accumulating in the rug’s bottom. If you’d like to learn more about this problem, you can visit our guide that covers both the causes of white powder on the carpet and how to properly remove it. we recommend you to learn how to remove white powder from carpet.
How to Remove Fish Oil Stain from Carpet
Rubbing Alcohol
Once you’ve absorbed the fish oil liquid from your carpet, you’ll more likely notice a stain that detracts from the beauty of your rug. The stain will be mostly noticeable on light-colored carpets since fish oil supplements have a light golden color. Still, regardless of how unsightly the blotch may look, rubbing alcohol can easily get rid of it. By the way it is safe to clean a carpet with rubbing alcohol.
Rubbing alcohol is an excellent cleaning agent that can remove a wide range of stains, including those caused by fish oil. In addition to that, this product evaporates quickly and leaves no residue behind, making it the perfect option to hide your mess in no time. That’s why most carpet professionals recommend using it. Here’s how to make good use of it:
Apply some rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball or a clean cloth and gently blot the stain. After a while, you’ll notice the stain has gradually started disappearing. Keep dabbing until you remove every speckle from your lovely carpet.
As you can see, cleaning a fish oil blotch from your rug with rubbing alcohol is a straightforward process.
Dry Cleaning Solvent
If you’re not comfortable using rubbing alcohol, you may want to consider dry cleaning solvent as an alternative option. This product is like rubbing alcohol: simple to use and does not need elbow grease to clean a fish oil stain.
All you need to do is apply the dry cleaning solvent to a clean cloth and dab the soiled area until you restore your carpet’s shine.
Dishwashing Detergent
Are you the sort of person that prefers DIY techniques? If it’s the case, we believe we have an excellent method for you. For this one, you’ll need to mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with two cups of hot water.
Then, using the same procedure as before, dip a clean cloth into the solution and blot the spot. Repeat the process until the splotch is entirely gone. The advantage of this approach is that dishwashing detergent will solubilize the fatty substance, making it easier to clean.
However, unlike rubbing alcohol and dry cleaning solvent, this approach necessitates you rinse the affected spot using a cloth dipped in water. Remember that leaving soap residue on your carpet is more likely to attract dirt in the near future.
How to Remove Fish Oil Smell from Carpet
When the fish oil fluid has had time to dry on your carpet fibers, it can withstand baking soda’s cleaning approach. Fortunately, there are other alternative hacks that you can use to get rid of the noxious stench. And one of the best options to remove the fish oil smell from a carpet is lemon juice.
Lemon juice is an excellent natural cleaner thanks to its low pH level and high citric acid. It’s also beneficial for your carpet as it has antibacterial properties. On top of that, this ingredient is safe to use on most carpets.
Simply combine lemon juice and water in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle. Spray the whole odorous area of your rug and let the solution sit for around 10 minutes before blotting it up.
If you don’t have any lemons on hand, you can use white vinegar as a substitute. Some individuals, however, dislike using white vinegar as a cleaner because it emits an unpleasant odor. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t worry about the scent as it will disappear on its own within a short period of time.
Conclusion
Our last piece of advice would be to act as soon as possible. Keep in mind that the longer fish oil has been on your carpet, the more challenging it will be to remove. Still, it’s never too late since the techniques mentioned above can easily remove the fish oil fluid, stain, or even smell without any effort.
We hope the tips mentioned above have been helpful for you. Don’t forget to leave us a comment below, sharing your thoughts regarding the methods discussed above. Remember that it’s always a pleasure to hear from you. Also, if you manage to discover a new effective technique while cleaning the fish oil from your carpet, feel free to share it below so more people can achieve the same result as you.
What is the fastest way to get oil out of carpet?
The fastest way to get oil out of carpet is to immediately cover the affected area with a generous amount of baking soda, cornstarch, or talcum powder to absorb the oil. Leave it on the carpet for at least 15-20 minutes, then vacuum it up. You can also use a cleaning solution made of equal parts white vinegar and warm water to dab the area with a clean cloth until the stain is lifted. If the oil stain is stubborn, you can also try using a commercial carpet cleaner or calling a professional cleaner for assistance.
How do you neutralize the smell of fish oil?
To neutralize the smell of fish oil, you can try using vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice. You can also leave an open bowl of coffee grounds or activated charcoal near the source of the odor to absorb the smell. Additionally, using an air purifier or opening windows and doors to ventilate the room can help to reduce the smell.
How do you remove fish oil stains?
Blot excess oil, sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch, let sit for 15-20 mins, blot away powder, treat with vinegar/water or stain remover, rinse with water, air dry.
Does fish oil smell go away?
Fish oil smell may go away over time or with proper cleaning and ventilation, but it depends on the severity and duration of the odor. The longer the fish oil has been present, the more difficult it may be to remove the smell completely. Using effective cleaning methods and odor neutralizers can help to reduce and eliminate the smell.
Does vinegar remove oil stains?
Yes, vinegar can be an effective natural solution to remove oil stains. Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water and apply it directly to the stain, letting it sit for several minutes to penetrate the oil. Then, use a clean cloth or brush to gently scrub the area, and rinse it thoroughly with water.
Can dried oil stains be removed?
Yes, dried oil stains can be removed, although they may require a bit more effort to remove than fresh stains. You can start by using a scraper or spatula to remove any excess oil or residue. Then, you can use a cleaning solution such as dish soap, baking soda, or a commercial degreaser to treat the stain, scrubbing gently with a brush or cloth. Allow the solution to sit for several minutes, then rinse with clean water and blot the area dry.
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