How To Remove Charcoal Stains

Charcoal stains can be common when you are at the family barbecue. If you get a stain on your clothing from the charcoal, and then transfer it to your upholstery or carpeting, these types of stains can be difficult to remove because they are so dark.

The reason that stain removal of charcoal can be tricky is that our first instinct, when we get any type of stain, is to apply water to remove it. In the case of stains caused by charcoal that is exactly what you don't want to do first.

Instead, you want to remove as much charcoal dust as possible by shaking, lightly brushing or vacuuming, before you ever apply water so you don't spread the charcoal around further making a bigger mess.

Read below for step by step instructions for removal of these stains caused by charcoal from washable fabric, upholstery and carpet.

Removing Charcoal Stains From Clothing And Other Fabrics

Step 1: Shake or lightly brush off as much of the loose charcoal dust as possible from the fabric.

Step 2: Pretreat the stain with a laundry stain remover.

Step 3: Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain, and either chlorine bleach if the fabric will allow it, or color safe bleach if not.

Hint: Make sure the stain is gone after washing, but before you place in the dryer or you may set the stain.

Step 4: If the stain still remains sponge the stained area with rubbing alcohol to remove it, and then wash the item again.

(You can also read how one of this site's readers removed a stain on his bone colored microfiber jacket caused by charcoal here.)

Charcoal Stain Removal From Upholstery

Step 1: Vacuum up as much of the charcoal as possible, being careful not to spread the spot from it further.

Step 2: Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid.

Step 3: Using this solution, sponge the stain from the charcoal with a clean white cloth.

Step 4: Next, blot at the solution until the liquid is absorbed.

Step 5: Repeat steps 3-4 until the stain is removed from the upholstery.

Step 6: Now that the stain is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

Hint: Be sure to get the upholstery only as wet as necessary to remove the stain from the charcoal.

If this does not work, an alternative is to use a dry cleaning solvent on the upholstery until the stain disappears.

You can get more information on how to clean upholstery here.

How To Remove Stains Caused By Charcoal From Carpet

The instructions for removal of stains caused by charcoal from carpet is the same as for upholstery.

You may also find this video demonstrating art charcoal and chalk stain removal from carpet helpful.

In addition, here's a suggestion of how to remove a vomit stain containing charcoal from carpet with a home carpet cleaner and carpet shampoo.

Get Even More Stain And Spot Removal Help Here

Are you a stain magnet like me? If so, check out the A to Z Stain Removal Guide which gives directions for how to remove over 100 types of stains from all kinds of surfaces.

Third photo by Ha-Wee

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A-Z Guide: Instructions For Removing Over 100 Types Of Stains

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Go From Removing Charcoal Stains To Home Page

CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only. It is provided as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains and messes just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some cleaning methods can harm your item, so if what you want to clean or launder is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.