How to Get Bleach Stains Out of Carpet

Bleach spills on carpet can be devastating. Unlike typical stains, bleach removes color from the carpet fibers, leaving behind unsightly white or orange spots. Fortunately, these stains can often be corrected with the right chemical neutralization and expert dye work.

Step 1: Neutralizing the Bleach

Before any color correction can begin, it’s essential to neutralize the active bleach to prevent further damage to the carpet fibers. This is done using sodium thiosulfate, a chemical compound that safely halts the bleaching process. Even if the spot looks “dry” or inactive, residual bleach can remain in the fibers and reactivate with moisture. Neutralization ensures that the area is stable and ready for dyeing.

Step 2: Understanding the Missing Color

All colors are made from combinations of three base colors: red, yellow, and blue. When bleach strips a carpet of its color, what you’re left with is an imbalance or complete absence of one or more of these primary hues.

To restore the original look, we must mix a custom dye solution that reintroduces the missing colors. This process begins by identifying which base color is most absent in the stained area.

Step 3: Reintroducing the Dominant Missing Color

We start the color repair by adding the dominant missing color back into the bleached spot. For example, if the stain appears bluish-white, the missing color may be red or yellow. The dominant hue will give us a foundation to rebuild the original shade.

Step 4: Adding the Second Missing Color – The Key to Matching the Shade

After the base color is applied, the second most missing color is introduced. This is often the most crucial step, as it determines the final tone and shade of the restored area. Achieving a perfect match requires not only the right color balance but also a keen eye for subtle variations in fiber type, pile depth, and light exposure.

Why Choose Professionals?

Carpet dyeing is not a beginner-level DIY project. It takes years of hands-on experience to accurately match carpet colors and blend repairs seamlessly. At DyeGenie.com, we’ve been in the carpet and rug restoration industry for over 15 years, providing expert solutions for color damage of all kinds.

We can correct a wide range of color-related carpet issues, including:

  • Bleach stains

  • Sun fading

  • Pet stains

  • Color bleeding from improper cleaning

  • Discoloration from chemical spills

Our team uses industry-grade dyes and techniques that are permanent, colorfast, and safe for all types of synthetic and wool carpets.

Need Help with a Bleach Stain?
Contact us today and restore your carpet’s color — and your peace of mind.