Being part of an artistic family is such a fantastic thing, as you always come across new thoughts expressed in the form of beautiful artwork. What’s also remarkable about art is it gives kids a way to express their world and aids in developing their fine motor skills. However, when you’re in the middle of creating a masterpiece, some art supplies like oil pastel can easily fall on the carpet if put in the wrong place. Now we will discuss how to remove oil pastel from carpet.
Whether you trod on pastel on your rug or your kid decided to express his artistic skills on it, you know you’re in for a tough day. The thing is, oil pastel stains are notoriously difficult to remove, especially on light-colored carpets. But hard doesn’t mean impossible, right! And to prove to you that you can clean the stain on your own, we brought you a list of some fantastic DIY tips.
Table of Contents
How to Remove Oil Pastel from Carpet
According to Crayola, WD-40 should be used on: red, orange, green, yellow-orange, red-orange, black, gold, pink, green-yellow, sky blue, and brick red colors, while Dish Soap on: blue, yellow, violet, blue-violet, red-violet, yellow-green, blue-green, white, gray, silver, sea green, goldenrod, midnight blue, forest green, apricot, peach and brown colors.
Below, you’ll learn about the steps required to follow to use both these products properly. Nevertheless, even if you don’t have WD-40 or dish soap available at home, you should still stick with us since we’ve also some alternative methods that you can use to remove oil pastel stains from the carpet quickly.
WD-40: Your Perfect Savior
When it comes to removing oil pastel stains from the carpet, WD-40 is your best bet. It has been recommended by Crayola professionals due to its superb cleaning properties. What’s impressive about this product is it doesn’t need a lot of elbow grease and produces excellent results in a short amount of time.
All you have to do is spray the discolored area with WD-40 and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, dunk an end of a clean, wet cloth or towel in undiluted liquid dish soap and blot the stain several times until you restore your rug’s shine.
Finally, wipe the treated area with another dry cloth and be sure to rinse it thoroughly since leaving soap residue on the carpet often attracts more dirt.
What About Dish Soap?
While WD-40 is a fantastic stain remover, dish soap can also work wonders when it’s properly used. Since oil pastel contains non-drying oil, dish soap can be pretty effective in loosening and removing the stain.
Therefore, if the discolored area has one of the colors dish soap can remove, simply dab a clean cloth in undiluted liquid dishwashing and proceed as you’d with the WD-40 technique.
Can I Use Rubbing Alcohol?
The short answer is yes. If you’re searching for a DIY approach that doesn’t take a bunch of different ingredients or a lot of time to complete, rubbing alcohol is the way to go. However, you’ll also need a butter knife and an ice cube for this method.
Oil pastel is formed from wax and non-drying oil combination. Unlike drying oil, non-drying oil doesn’t dry when exposed to air. That’s why we need an ice cube. By rubbing the cube over the stained area, you’ll harden the oil pastel, making it easier to remove. And as you’ve already guessed, after the oil pastel has hardened, take a butter knife and scrape out as much pastel as you can.
Finally, dab the residual stain with a clean cloth soaked with rubbing alcohol. Avoid rubbing the area since you don’t want the pigments to spread to other clean sections of your rug.
The advantage of this method is that you don’t have to rinse the carpet after blotting it with rubbing alcohol. This product evaporates quickly and leaves no residue behind.
Is Nail Polish Remover Safe to Use?
Non-acetone nail polish removers work well in removing various types of stains, including those caused by oil pastel. We recommend using a non-acetone nail polish remover because acetone has bleaching properties and may be rather harsh on carpets.
For further peace of mind, we advise trying the non-acetone nail polish remover first on an inconspicuous part of your rug. If it turns out to be safe to use, here is what you should do.
Apply some nail polish remover or a similar product to a cotton ball or white cloth, and dab the stain. Always blot the spot from the outside and work your way in.
Carpet Stain Remover
A carpet stain remover is an excellent alternative for removing any tough stain without having to make your own solution. This approach is ideal for individuals who are unfamiliar with DIY techniques. Simply follow the product’s label instructions and try to tackle the stain properly.
And if All Else Fails?
If you were unable to get the desired results after applying the methods mentioned above, hiring a professional carpet cleaning service would be your best choice. I know that it’s something many of you don’t want to hear, especially when considering the price you’ll have to pay.
Nonetheless, it remains a better option than experimenting with unknown products on your rug just for the sake of removing the stain on your own. Bear in mind that some combinations can be hazardous to your carpet and might cause irreversible damage and make things even worse.
Conclusion
The key to removing an oil pastel stain from your carpet is to act quickly. The longer the stain remains, the difficult it will be to remove. Also, as we have previously said, if you are unfamiliar with DIY approaches or are worried about damaging your rug, we highly recommend choosing one of your local carpet cleaning services. It just isn’t worth the risk of attempting to clean a costly carpet on your own when you lack experience.
We hope we could provide you with the information you were seeking to clean an oil pastel stain from the carpet. It would be nice to hear your thoughts on these methods as well as the results you got. And, if you have a unique way that we did not list above, feel free to share it with us in the comments section below so that other people may attain the same success as you.
How do you remove oil pastel stains?
Blot excess pigment/oil, treat with vinegar/water or stain remover, rinse with water, blot dry. For stubborn stains, use rubbing alcohol or a baking soda/water paste, apply and let sit, wipe with clean cloth. Repeat if necessary.
What will dissolve oil pastels?
Oil pastels can be dissolved or thinned using solvents such as turpentine, mineral spirits, or paint thinner. These solvents work to break down the oil and wax binders in the pastel, making it easier to spread and manipulate on the surface. However, it is important to use these solvents in a well-ventilated area and to follow proper safety precautions, as they can be flammable and emit harmful fumes.
Are oil pastels permanent on fabric?
Oil pastels are not permanent on fabric. They may rub off or smear over time, and fabric paints or markers are a better choice for permanent designs. If you do use oil pastels, heat set the design with an iron or dryer.
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