Today we’ll be talking about how to clean up silicone lube on a carpet. While it is known by most people that silicone will not break down under organic solvents, many do not realize that this also means your typical cleaning agents won’t work either! This can lead to frustration as simple dish soap and hot water do nothing to remove the silicone.
Why does this happen?
Silicone is made up of long flexible molecules that are attracted to all organic matter, much like a magnet. Since it’s so flexible, it can wiggle itself between the fibers of your carpeting and become difficult to remove with typical household cleaning agents or solvents alike. This leaves you with few options: you could make a trip to the local carpet cleaner or you can attempt to do it yourself.
This article will cover how to clean up silicone lube from flooring, including carpet, tile and wood floors. No matter if you’re cleaning up spilled lube or you had some mishaps with your toy that left behind traces of lubricant, this article will have you covered.
What You’ll Need to Clean Up Silicone Lube from Carpet
- Paper towels or a rag for absorbent material.
- Dish soap (Dawn, Palmolive, etc.).
Some may try to use cooking oil due to its success with other oil-based products, but this isn’t recommended for carpets.
The best option is to use rubbing alcohol for your solvents, preferably 91% or higher. This will be applied directly to the lube itself in order to break apart its adhesive properties.
If you have any silicone toys laying around that may have picked up some lube, then you’ll want to take them apart as much as possible. The more pieces there are, the harder it will be to clean out all the lube.
If your toy is still completely intact, try boiling some water and pouring it directly onto the silicone piece(s) in order to loosen up any lubricant that has seeped into the crevasses.
This will work with other porous materials such as wood, but may be too abrasive on see-through materials like glass or metal**
If you don’t have access to any of these solvents, then you can try using rubbing alcohol (isopropyl). Its effectiveness is much lower, but it will work in a pinch.
If you have a carpet steamer, this would be an ideal time to break it out. Make sure to check all the labels for any restrictions on what type of cleaners can be used and if they need to be diluted at all.
How to Clean Up Silicone Lube from Carpet?
If you can, remove anything on top of the lube itself. This includes any pieces of furniture and item(s) that may be resting on it. You don’t want to spread or accidentally push the lubricant around while cleaning it up.
Start by blotting (not rubbing) the lube with a paper towel or absorbent material. Blot from the outside edge inward to avoid pushing the lubricant further into the carpet.
If you have a solvent that is recommended for carpets, then squirt it directly onto the lube and allow 30 seconds to 1 minute to work its magic. You will want to blot this up as well, then follow it up with more paper towels or absorbent material such as a rag.
Finish the job off by dabbing/blotting until all the lube is gone. You may need to change out your absorbent material a few times if it’s becoming saturated with the silicone lubricant.
If you’re unlucky, there may still be some spots left behind even after this process. This is where a dish soap such as Dawn comes into play.
Spray the area down with a generous amount of dish soap and give it a few minutes to fully penetrate into the fibers. If you have a steam cleaner, then this would be another ideal time to break it out since it will help work the soap deeper inside the fiber.
How to remove silicone lubricant from a treadmill belt?
This is a common question many people have for gym equipment. There’s a particular lubricant that is used specifically with treadmills and other similar devices, and it can be hard to remove from the machines as well as the floors around them. This article will provide someone with an easy method of removing silicone lube from the floor; this solution should be equally effective for removing lube from a treadmill belt as well.
How to remove silicone stain from clothing?
Use a paper towel to remove as much as you can from the clothing. Then, place a slightly dampened cloth on top of the stain and put your iron in a warm or medium setting. The heat should draw out the stain.
How to remove silicone from the wood floor?
Silicone is one of those stains that may be hard to remove. The first thing you will need to do is scrape up as much of the silicone as possible using a credit card or similar tool. Do not use your fingernails, as this can damage the wood.
Next, put some regular household oil on top of the stain and wait for it to penetrate through the layer of silicone. Once you have oil on top of the stain, use a clean cloth to rub in a circular motion. Continue to add oil when the cloth becomes dry. Once the silicone has been lifted off the floor, wipe it up with a dry cloth and give it a final rub down with a damp cloth.
How to remove silicone lubricant from plastic?
Silicone lube should not permanently damage plastic, but it can leave behind a greasy residue. To remove the lube, wipe the surface with an alcohol-moistened cloth. Then, rub in some grease-cutting dish soap and scrub off any remaining residue with a damp rag to finish the job.
Final Word:
Silicone lube can be a useful addition to anyone’s repertoire, but it needs to be cleaned up properly after use. If not removed correctly, silicone lubricant can damage or stain floors and other surfaces in your home.
This is why knowing how to remove silicone from the floor is essential for keeping your house clean and sanitary. In this article, you have read about how to remove silicone lubricant from the floor.
