Easter egg dye is a fairly common substance to have around the home this time of year. Whether you let the kids have some fun and creative crafting time with decorating the eggs or opt to do it yourself, the dye will frequently find its way on the various flooring surfaces. Carpets, rugs, linoleum, tile and grout, wood floor varieties, and other such flooring options are likely to become victims in the Easter festivities. In some cases, simply wiping it up or blotting it up with a damp rag is enough, but when other surfaces are stained with the Easter egg dye, there is a multi-purpose formula we at ADC Carpet Cleaning Specialists would like to share today.
Easter Egg Food Coloring Dye Removal from Upholstery, Carpet & Flooring
1) No matter the surface you are treating, always begin with a patch test on each of them to ensure the color is not compromised. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural lightening agent and a strong enough potency can potentially strip color or lighten the surface. Be sure to do conduct the patch test in an inconspicuous spot.
2) Either put the hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle, or direct apply it to a cloth, cotton ball, or sponge and wipe the hard surface, (tile, wood, linoleum, walls, etc,)or blot the fabric surface (carpet, rugs, upholstery, etc.).
3) Let the peroxide sit for up to five minutes. Do not let the peroxide linger more than that on moisture sensitive, such as wood flooring because over exposure to moisture can cause damage. Be mindful on surfaces that are not sealed as well.
4) If you are dealing with textured surfaces, like walls, use a toothbrush to brush the peroxide into the crevices. Once the dye is transferred to the cleaning implement, be sure to rinse the area with a separate damp cloth.
5) To ensure the peroxide is thoroughly removed from the surface, use soapy water to dampen another cloth, wipe and repeat with a damp cloth from water to rinse the soapy residues away.
6) Dry thoroughly.
7) Repeat as needed until all the dye has been removed.
Additional Stain Removal Tips
1) If hardwood floors are not properly sealed, it may require a bit of sanding with fine grit paper until the dye is gone and refinishing in that area. If you are uncomfortable doing this or do not have any experience, enlist the services of a professional to avoid damaging the wood floor.
2) Avoid water marks on hardwood floors pre-dampening a clean cloth with water and then apply peroxide to the damp cloth; scrub the Easter egg dye. Use different corners of the cloth as the dye transfers onto the cloth. Dry the wood floor well after it is gone.
3) Err on the side of caution when determining how long to leave the peroxide on the dye. If you remove it too early simply reapply, but if you leave it on too long you can permanently lighten the surface.
4) For carpets, rugs, and upholstery do not wipe, but blot. Do not over saturate to avoid water damage effects. Do not use hot water when treating the dye and only use white rags, cloths, or towels.
Carpet Cleaning, Stain Removal & More in Leesburg, Ashburn, Herndon, Winchester, Stephens City VA, Frederick, Loudoun, Fairfax Counties Virginia | Martinsburg, Eastern Panhandle, Berkeley and Jefferson Counties WV | Hagerstown Maryland
If you find the Easter egg dye won’t budge, call the professionals at ADC Carpet Cleaning Specialists and our experts will assess the stains and apply the most optimal solution to remove them. Contact us today!
