best way to get oil and crud out of a carpet?

[TheJollyJimLad]

I live in a flat with nowhere outside to keep a bike. Instead, my beloved steed resides in my living room which the soon to be Mrs TheJollyJimLad tolerates because I use it to commute and get around town.

The problem is that sometimes bits of mud combined with lube get into the carpet in the hallway and bedroom where I put down a pannier.

My question is, what's the best way to get oil and crud out of a carpet? Please help!

[emergency_pants]

I reckon you could probably use a carpet shampoo on it.

Something like rubbing alcohol will get it out - but don't rub it, dab it off with absorbent cloth/paper. Rubbing will probably just spread it around. If it were me, I'd probably try it out on a hidden piece of carpet first, before going at it.

[leftpoole]

I live in a flat with nowhere outside to keep a bike. Instead, my beloved steed resides in my living room which the soon to be Mrs TheJollyJimLad tolerates because I use it to commute and get around town.

The problem is that sometimes bits of mud combined with lube get into the carpet in the hallway and bedroom where I put down a pannier.

My question is, what's the best way to get oil and crud out of a carpet? Please help!

Best to remove the carpet. It avoids confrontation!
Maybe not-I have carpet in my bike workshop-?
John.

[Hemipode]

Washing-up liquid works really well.
The only problem is you get an ultra-clean patch where you used it

[TheJollyJimLad]

Some interesting answers so far. Thanks!

John - We live in a rented flat otherwise I would gladly rip up all the carpets! Soon to be Mrs JollyJimLad & I want to rent a larger place soon that has a scrap of garden and a shed so I can properly store, clean and give my bike the maintenance it rightly deserves. And fill it with more bikes! We would be moving out in April so I definately have to get the carpets clean by then.

[AndyB]

You could always try Swarfega. I've not tried it myself though, so don't blame me!

[GeoffA]

Try a combo. Get the oil off with washing up liquid the clean the whole carpet with a carpet shampooer. You can rent them from Homebase/B&Q or even Tescos and they get an amazing amount of dirt up. In fact it's quite disgusting how much dirt there is in a seemingly clean carpet.

[stewartpratt]

When I had my flat I used eco-friendly citrus degreaser (Pedros I think). Doesn't harm the carpet, gets the grease out without any residue, and smells of juicy oranges. Everyone's a winner :)

[Si]

CILLIT BANG! BANG AND THE DIRT IS GONE

However, be prepared to do the rest of the carpet when you suddenly find you are left with one really clean patch! And don't use it too often otherwise you'll be through the foundations!! And don't get it on your hands otherwise it'll be like a scene from Alien!!! Actually, probably better to try one of the other options first !!!!

[paulah]

depending where the stain is you could offer to get a decent rug to cover it up

[MarkC]

I usually suffer from oily chainring marks on my top stair as I carry my bike up and downstairs. Stain Slayer, an aerosol made by a company called JCB Developments has saved my life on several occasions. It's biodegradable too. I think I got it from the supermarket many years ago.

[ferrit worrier]

How about three or four cheap carpet tiles and leave your bike on them when you need to clean them pick them up and take them outside. they are mostly bitumen based and stay flat and will stand scrubbing with soap and water.

[bodach]

WD 40 to start with will take a lot of oil out then hand cleaner. The smell of WD40 upsets my mrs but it soon fades.

[eileithyia]

I would go with the WD40/Swarfega options and it will then probably need an all over shampoo after that.

Tip; When I was in the Nurses' home I stood my bike on a plastic sheet with an old sheet/newspaper pages on top of the plastic. the cloth/paper absorbed any moisture dripping off the bike and the plastic sheet protected the carpet.

Good luck, but I would excpect to loose some/all of your deposit for carpet cleaning, when you move out.

[Jeckyll_n_Snyde]

I'm with Paulah on the rug option; and when it becomes an eyesore i just bin it and get a fresh one....cheap offcuts at local carpet supplier cost peanuts.