Cleaning Coolant-soaked Carpet
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Cleaning Coolant-soaked Carpet
This carpet is now just damp, due to a Heater Core Leak, but about 3 months ago when the leak occurred, it was definitely soaked.
Question: Will this eventually dry on it's own? Will it fade the Dark Blue color of the ACC product if I rinse it out with lots and lots of water?
New to this. Thanks folks.
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 134
From: Blanco County, TX
It'll dry, but will have a sticky residue that will attract every bit of dirt.
I don't think the carpet fibers are dyed. I think they are the color you see is through and through the fibers. Remove the door sill and kick panel, rinse/soak, then vacuum with a shop vac. Repeat as necessary until any residual stickiness and smell is gone. Pull the carpet away from the floor and prop it up to make a gap. Aim a fan at the gap until the carpet and jute is dry.
I don't think the carpet fibers are dyed. I think they are the color you see is through and through the fibers. Remove the door sill and kick panel, rinse/soak, then vacuum with a shop vac. Repeat as necessary until any residual stickiness and smell is gone. Pull the carpet away from the floor and prop it up to make a gap. Aim a fan at the gap until the carpet and jute is dry.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,230
Likes: 4,323
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Steve,
Well, that's not very nice!
I think fellowing K68's advice is a good way to begin.
As with any cleaning on older parts, begin with the weakest solutions of whatever you choose to clean with, and still get the results you're looking for.
I'd be tempted to remove the seat and then get the carpet out where you'll likely have better success rinsing it thoroughly and then getting it to dry.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
You might even try a solution of household ammonia and water. (Test a spot under the seat!!!)
Well, that's not very nice!
I think fellowing K68's advice is a good way to begin.
As with any cleaning on older parts, begin with the weakest solutions of whatever you choose to clean with, and still get the results you're looking for.
I'd be tempted to remove the seat and then get the carpet out where you'll likely have better success rinsing it thoroughly and then getting it to dry.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
You might even try a solution of household ammonia and water. (Test a spot under the seat!!!)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Thanks Guys,
No doubt removing the entire carpet to clean, rinse, and dry would be the best.
But I'm lazy.
The coolant has to be removed. It IS water soluble, so water should do it. Warm to hot water might work better than cold. Then a spray-then-vacuum cleaner maybe to finish it with?
I can't be the first to have had this problem, and thanks to you guys I've gained some insight on it.
Steve
No doubt removing the entire carpet to clean, rinse, and dry would be the best.
But I'm lazy.
The coolant has to be removed. It IS water soluble, so water should do it. Warm to hot water might work better than cold. Then a spray-then-vacuum cleaner maybe to finish it with?
I can't be the first to have had this problem, and thanks to you guys I've gained some insight on it.Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
Hung it over the fence and thoroughly flushed it with water till it felt clean.
Some of the color came out so I spot sprayed it with spray "dye" and it turned out great.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Thanks Guys,
No doubt removing the entire carpet to clean, rinse, and dry would be the best.
But I'm lazy.
The coolant has to be removed. It IS water soluble, so water should do it. Warm to hot water might work better than cold. Then a spray-then-vacuum cleaner maybe to finish it with? I can't be the first to have had this problem, and thanks to you guys I've gained some insight on it.
Steve
No doubt removing the entire carpet to clean, rinse, and dry would be the best.
But I'm lazy.
The coolant has to be removed. It IS water soluble, so water should do it. Warm to hot water might work better than cold. Then a spray-then-vacuum cleaner maybe to finish it with?
I can't be the first to have had this problem, and thanks to you guys I've gained some insight on it.Steve
Any how, I purchased one of these Bissell little green machines several years ago and I have used for cleaning cars many times.
It's really pretty impressive for such a small machine. It delivers heated water and detergent to the area you are woking on with a brush scrubber built into the handle and it does a really good job of getting out stains that I thought would not come out. Pretty strong suction removes all the water (still damp of course) and only delivers the amount of water you command with a trigger on the wand.
I've gotten out stuff like grease, soda pop and ground in dirt on car carpets.
Don't know it you want to pop $90 for it, but I have not regretted my purchase of it so far.
I got mine at Target IIRC and the cleaning solution can be had there as well.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Any how, I purchased one of these Bissell little green machines several years ago and I have used for cleaning cars many times.
It's really pretty impressive for such a small machine. It delivers heated water and detergent to the area you are woking on with a brush scrubber built into the handle and it does a really good job of getting out stains that I thought would not come out. Pretty strong suction removes all the water (still damp of course) and only delivers the amount of water you command with a trigger on the wand.
I've gotten out stuff like grease, soda pop and ground in dirt on car carpets.
Don't know it you want to pop $90 for it, but I have not regretted my purchase of it so far.
I got mine at Target IIRC and the cleaning solution can be had there as well.
https://www.amazon.com/BISSELL-ProHe.../dp/B002KCMH6Q
It's really pretty impressive for such a small machine. It delivers heated water and detergent to the area you are woking on with a brush scrubber built into the handle and it does a really good job of getting out stains that I thought would not come out. Pretty strong suction removes all the water (still damp of course) and only delivers the amount of water you command with a trigger on the wand.
I've gotten out stuff like grease, soda pop and ground in dirt on car carpets.
Don't know it you want to pop $90 for it, but I have not regretted my purchase of it so far.
I got mine at Target IIRC and the cleaning solution can be had there as well.
https://www.amazon.com/BISSELL-ProHe.../dp/B002KCMH6Q
) and the seats. Your suggestion jogged my feeble memory. Much appreciated sir.
Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
If you're that adamant about not removing the carpet, try a garden hose and a GOOD shop vac.
Thoroughly soak the area and vac it up several times.
Probably no need to SCRUB the carpet OR add any other cleaners to it.
Did that when my wife spilled a crock pot full of soup on the rear floor of my daily driver Malibu.
Thoroughly soak the area and vac it up several times.
Probably no need to SCRUB the carpet OR add any other cleaners to it.
Did that when my wife spilled a crock pot full of soup on the rear floor of my daily driver Malibu.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
If you're that adamant about not removing the carpet, try a garden hose and a GOOD shop vac.
Thoroughly soak the area and vac it up several times.
Probably no need to SCRUB the carpet OR add any other cleaners to it.
Did that when my wife spilled a crock pot full of soup on the rear floor of my daily driver Malibu.
Thoroughly soak the area and vac it up several times.
Probably no need to SCRUB the carpet OR add any other cleaners to it.
Did that when my wife spilled a crock pot full of soup on the rear floor of my daily driver Malibu.
Thanks Kaps. Another good way to handle it.
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,230
Likes: 4,323
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Steve,
TYPICALLY the carpet only extends up under the console an inch or 2.
In you look carefully you might well be able to carefully pull the carpet from under the console to give you better access to the carpet, the pad and the floor.
Regards,
Alan
Perhaps this will give you an idea how much of the carpet is typically tucked under the console sides.
TYPICALLY the carpet only extends up under the console an inch or 2.
In you look carefully you might well be able to carefully pull the carpet from under the console to give you better access to the carpet, the pad and the floor.
Regards,
Alan
Perhaps this will give you an idea how much of the carpet is typically tucked under the console sides.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Hi Steve,
TYPICALLY the carpet only extends up under the console an inch or 2.
In you look carefully you might well be able to carefully pull the carpet from under the console to give you better access to the carpet, the pad and the floor.
Regards,
Alan
Perhaps this will give you an idea how much of the carpet is typically tucked under the console sides.
TYPICALLY the carpet only extends up under the console an inch or 2.
In you look carefully you might well be able to carefully pull the carpet from under the console to give you better access to the carpet, the pad and the floor.
Regards,
Alan
Perhaps this will give you an idea how much of the carpet is typically tucked under the console sides.
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Soaking the carpet in place doesn't consider the jute insulation material under the carpet. I've used carpet cleaner machine on mine too; but I just needed to clean the upper portions of the carpet...not completely soak and rinse the entire carpet.
Wish you luck with whatever you decide.
Wish you luck with whatever you decide.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
Soaking the carpet in place doesn't consider the jute insulation material under the carpet. I've used carpet cleaner machine on mine too; but I just needed to clean the upper portions of the carpet...not completely soak and rinse the entire carpet.
Wish you luck with whatever you decide.
Wish you luck with whatever you decide.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 124
Likes: 16
A new front carpet set is about $190. I wouldn't waste anymore time on that old carpet. Good time to put some heat resistant sound deadener in while your at it. It's a good feeling when a problem happens that requires repair to make whatever it is better than it was before. Beats a day wasted in front of the boobtube for sure.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 134
From: Blanco County, TX
You gave me a GREAT idea my friend. I've already got a steam carpet cleaner, stowed away in a closet in a back bedroom, that I haven't used in years. It's got a small "Spot Use" attachment for it. All I can do is try it. I'll go thru a couple quarts of solution in cleaning it, fan dry it, and see if any residue is left on it. Will have to clean the floor underneath of course, but I'll do a lot before ripping out the console (with Center Dash too ) and the seats.
Your suggestion jogged my feeble memory. Much appreciated sir.
Steve
) and the seats. Your suggestion jogged my feeble memory. Much appreciated sir.
Steve
The "pull the carpet" or "replace the carpet" options are still there if you are not satisfied with the results with no harm done other than an hour or two of wasted time. I understand you are lazy
, but I would invest an extra 5 minutes in this project and remove the door sill and kick panel to separate the carpet and jute. Fan dry for several days if necessary. It won't be as pretty as new carpet, but if you do it right it won't smell like a locker room either.