Salt and Rust Stains on Carpet

[dz63]

Hi Guys,

I just purchased a 2002 Camry with a neglected interior. I am trying to remove some rock hard salt and rust stains from a grey carpet under the driver side floor mat. Here is a photo of the mess. The crusted salt is 1/8" thick in some places.


Here is what I tried so far...

1) Chiselled the excess salt off of the carpet and vacuumed it up. It was about 1/8" thick in some places.



2) Spayed an entire can of Salt Eraser on the salt stains and let soak for 20 minutes. Then worked the carpet with a stiff bristle brush.



3) Next, I wet vacuumed with my Bissel Proheat carpet cleaner. Here is what it looked like.


4) Next, I spayed the carpet generously with Folex and used a stiff bristle brush to work it in really good.



5) Finally, I wet vacuumed with my Bissel Proheat carpet cleaner. Here is what it now looks like.


There carpet looks a little bit better, but it is still rock hard, and I can't get the rust stains out with Folex. Is it a hopeless cause? Anybody know what else I could do to remove the rust stains? I could live with the rock hard carpet, if I could at least get the rust stains out. Hoping someone out there knows how to do this and is willing to share their knowledge. Thanks in advance!

Don

[CEE DOG]

Maybe try steam cleaning

[AeroCleanse]

I think you'll need to replace the carpet. Or buy floor mats and try and forget about it.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Turtle Wax PowerOUT! Oxi Carpet Cleaner + scrub brush; then steam the rest of it out.

For any stains that don't come out after that, get some gray fabric/carpet dye paint and blend them in.

[dvc61]

How about trying "Rust Away" from pro's choice (Pro's Choice Products. The choice of professionals.) Their technical support hotline # is (800) 368-1247. They have a really great line of carpet products and their catalog is like a "how to" booklet.

Doug

[Emile]

Impressive turn-around. I don't think it's going to get much better than that without a hot water extractor.

[bill walsh]

i have used clr cleaner on rear carpet in toyota highlander with good results

[oldmodman]

Rather than being worried about the carpet (which can be replaced or hidden fairly easily), I would check under the carpet for rust damage to the floorpan of the car. If it's badly rusted by salt being carried through the carpet the corrosion would be a bigger concern.

[Shane731]

Send RaskyR1 a PM and see what he would do. He's dealt with stuff like that before. See these threads:

Dodge Caliber

2000 Chevy truck

Hope that helps!

[AV8R]

What about something like CLR on a test spot?