Acid Spills on Carpet

How Strong Acids Affect Carpets:

• Liquid toilet bowl cleaner containing hydrochloric (muriatic) acid will dissolve nylon carpet fiber!
• Rust removers containing hydrofluoric acid will dissolve nylon carpet!
• Liquid toilet bowl cleaners containing phosphoric acid will destroy marble and limestone!
• Car / Truck battery acid (sulfuric acid) will destroy nylon and wool carpet and the backing.
• Acids may turn a nylon carpet red or pink.

How to Remove Acids from Carpets:

1. Wear rubber gloves!
2. Dilute the spill with water.
3. IMMEDIATELY sprinkle baking soda onto area, add more water if necessary and work in until the “fizzing” stops because all of the acid has been neutralized.
4. THOROUGHLY extract with an alkaline detergent, such as PCA™ Formula 5.
5. Permanent damage or discoloration may have occurred.
6. Blot dry.
7. To prevent wicking, heavily sprinkle Stain Blotter on area to absorb any material that wicks up.
8. The customer can vacuum up the Stain Blotter the next day.