How to Remove Lily Pollen Stains from Carpet | Complete Guide
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Lilies are lovely and they do spruce up the ambiance, but the pollen from lilies is something entirely different. That vibrant, dusty material can cause adamant stains, and believe me, it is quite tricky to clean lily pollen stains from carpet, clothes, or anywhere. While lilies shine in the vase and beautify the place, they also age at the same time and grow pollens naturally.
If the pollen somehow drops on the carpet, it can instantly create yellow, orange, or brown marks. And the more time it gets, the harder it will be to remove.
Another thing to consider with lily pollen is that you can’t just wipe, rub, or take it off. You have to be careful, and use the right materials and techniques to remove lily pollen stains from the carpet. All of this may seem a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry. In this article, we’re going to share some of the foolproof ways to get rid of lily pollen stains from carpets once and for all.
Contents
How to Get Lily Pollen Stains Out of Carpet
To successfully remove lily pollen stains from the carpet, it’s essential to act as quickly as possible. We’ve arranged the guide from easiest-to-hardest situations you may encounter, so apply according to your state of condition. Here are some of the effective techniques to clean lily pollen from the carpet to avoid stains.
1. Use Adhesive Tape
In the very primary stage when it just made contact with the carpet, the pollen can simply be removed with tape. You have to be very careful nonetheless. Use sticky tape, an adhesive substance like sellotape to gently place it over the affected area on the carpet. Push slightly and then take it off carefully. Since the pollen is a powdery substance, it should come off while it’s still fresh.
2. Vacuum Away
Whether you did take action instantly or not, do consider using a powerful vacuum cleaner in this case. Vacuums with upholstery attachments or even handheld vacuums are great for taking off lily pollen before it sets.
Use an upholstery attachment if you have any, or use the vacuum without any attachments. Make sure to use the nozzle from at least half inches away, and never touch or rub the pollen. It’s easy to use a handheld vacuum with a hose and should lift away the powder with ease if it’s strong enough.
3. Apply Rubbing Alcohol
If you did everything and still there are stains on the carpet, you may have to use a cleaning agent. You can either use enzyme cleaners or alcohol-containing products, but we recommend using rubbing alcohol. It’s easy to acquire and apply and doesn’t damage the carpet hereafter.
Take a rag, clean cloth, or paper towel and dampen with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Then blot the stain gently, remember not to rub at all. Work your way from the corners to the center of the affected area to avoid further spreading. With repeated applications, you should be able to clean pollen stains from the carpet.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide for the Endgame
As we’ve already mentioned, lily pollen stains can be very difficult to remove if it manages to settle on carpet. So if all your endeavors fail to take care of that notorious stain, try hydrogen peroxide for a change. Go through our next guide on how to get lily pollen out of the carpet for good.
Also known as oxygen bleach, hydrogen peroxide is a potent cleaning agent especially effective against pollen stains. Before you start, dilute the substance by mixing equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide to create a solution. Also, it’s recommended to test the solution in an inconspicuous area of the carpet for safety.
Once you’re ready, dampen a clean cloth or paper towel with your oxygen bleach and blot the stains with care. Treat the area to leave a fair amount of the substance, then let it work for about an hour. Afterward, dip a clean cloth with water and take off the pollen stains by blotting and gently pressing them. Repeat the process a couple of times if necessary, the spots should come off by then.
Finally, raise the fibers to fluff up the carpet and vacuum it dry.
Important Tips to Remove Lily Pollen Stains from Carpet
- DO NOT touch, wipe, rub, or try to dab lily pollen on carpets. That pollen can leave tough marks on your finger and skin, not only the rugs and clothes. Wiping and rubbing will also make it worse and set it further into the carpet.
- Do not use water to treat lily pollen stains. It may be needed at some point later, but never start with water as it will spread more and worsen the situation.
- Never use ammonia or similar alkaline products to remove lily pollen stains.
- Aside from the stains, lilies and their pollens are dangerous to cats. If you are a cat person and have lilies in your house, you need to be extra careful. Keep the flower away from your pet and remove pollens, they are deadly and able to kill cats as well. We recommend avoiding lilies in the first place if you have cats in the house.
Prevention is Better than Cure
We’ve heard this saying. Preventing a disaster before it happens is always the best thing. To avoid getting lily pollen stains on clothes, upholstery, and carpets; get rid of the pollens in the first place.
Cut off the anthers of lilies to remove the pollen. Anthers hold the pollen and it’s not essential for beauty, to be honest. Alternatively, you can use a pair of scissors to pinch out the stamens before they reach their stain potential state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you get lily pollen stains out of the carpet?
Blot the stains using a clean cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. Work from the edges to the center, and avoid rubbing.
Should you remove pollen from lilies?
Yes. Lily pollen can cause stains and damage the flower petals. Pluck the pollen from the stamen carefully with scissors.
Will rubbing alcohol discolor the carpet?
No. Rubbing alcohol doesn’t discolor carpets, rather it’s an easy fix for most carpet cleaning situations.
Does bleach remove pollen stains?
Oxygen-based bleach, AKA Hydrogen Peroxide does remove pollen stains. Chlorine bleach, however, is not recommended for treating pollen stains because of its toxicity and corrosive nature.
Can lily pollen make you ill?
Lily pollen is non-toxic and has no serious side effects on humans upon ingestion. However, lily pollen is deadly to cats and accidental ingestion may lead to death.
Wrapping Up
To sum it up, it’s better to remove lily pollen before it reaches its stain-generating condition. Nevertheless, if you happen to have pollen spills on the carpet, take measures as quickly as possible and follow our guide.
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