How to Clean Clothes and Carpet to Remove Burn Marks

How to Remove Light Scorch Marks on White Clothes

1. Treat Fresh Scorch Marks Immediately

   If the scorch mark is light and you catch it right away, stop ironing and immediately work some heavy-duty laundry detergent such as Tide and Persil into the stain with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush. Let it work for at least 10 minutes, and then wash the garment in the hottest water recommended for the fabric.

2. Use Vinegar

   If you didn't catch the mistake right away and find it later—and the scorch stain is very light—you can also try wiping the stain with a clean white cloth dipped in distilled white vinegar. Keep moving the cloth to a clean area as the scorched fibers are transferred. Finish by wiping down the satin with a white cloth dipped in cool water.

How to Remove Heavy Scorch Marks on White Clothes

1. Treat With Hydrogen Peroxide

   For a heavier scorch mark on a white cotton or linen shirt, find an open, well-ventilated space to work. If the stain is large, work on a small section at a time. Start by pouring a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide, a mild bleaching agent, in a small bowl. Dip a cotton swab in the hydrogen peroxide, and apply it to the stain.

2. Swab With Household Ammonia

   Dip another cotton swab into a separate small bowl filled with household ammonia, and apply it onto the stain as well. Let the treated area stand for five minutes.

   Warning

   Don't mix the hydrogen peroxide and ammonia in the same bowl. Use a separate bowl for each ingredient. The mixture can form toxic fumes.

3. Rinse and Repeat

   Flush the treated area with cold water. Repeat if necessary, and move to another section of the scorch mark. Do not allow the solution of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia to dry on the fabric.

4. Treat With an Oxygen Bleach and Water Soak

   If a stain remains after trying the previous methods, mix a solution of warm water and oxygen bleach (e.g., OxiClean, Nellie's All-Natural Oxygen Brightener, OXO Brite) following package directions. Submerge the entire scorched item, and allow it to soak at least eight hours or overnight. Then, wash as usual. If a stain remains, repeat the process.

How to Remove Scorch Marks on Colored Clothes

1. Treat With Heavy-Duty Laundry Detergent

   If the scorch mark is light, work a bit of heavy-duty laundry detergent into the stain with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush, and wash the garment in the hottest water recommended for the fabric.

2. Wipe Stain With Vinegar

   Wiping the scorched area with a cloth dipped in distilled white vinegar may also help. Be sure to rinse well after using the vinegar to prevent discoloration.

   Warning

   For heavier scorch marks, do not use the hydrogen peroxide and ammonia treatment on colored clothes because fading can occur that can't be reversed.

3. Soak in Oxygen Bleach and Water

   Mix a solution of warm water and oxygen bleach following the package directions. Submerge the entire scorched item, and allow it to soak at least eight hours or overnight. Then, wash as usual. If a stain remains, repeat the process.

   Warning

   The oxygen-bleach soaking process is safe to use on polyester and all synthetic fibers as well as natural fibers. Don't use on silk, wool, or leather, including any trim or embellishments made from those materials.

How to Remove Scorch Marks on Wool

1. Treat Shiny Streaks With Vinegar

   If you forgot to use a pressing cloth while ironing wool, it may have caused a shiny streak. To fix it, dip a white cloth in white distilled vinegar, and blot the shiny streak. Finish by dipping a cloth in water and blotting the area to rinse. Allow the fabric to air-dry.

2. Brush Away the Burned Fibers

   For heavier scorch marks, you'll need to remove burned or charred fibers. If the fabric is made of woven wool or another protein fiber like cashmere that's thick and fuzzy, brush the scorched area lightly with a soft brush. An old toothbrush also works well to remove damaged fibers.

3. Treat With a Gentle Detergent

   If the garment is unstructured and made of washable woven wool, rub a bit of liquid gentle detergent into the scorched area, and wash in cold water on the gentle cycle. If the scorched item is knitted, like a sweater, hand-wash instead.

How to Remove Burn Marks on Carpet

1. Let the Carpet Cool Down

   If you happen to be ironing on a carpeted floor and burn or melt the fibers, always allow the area to cool completely before tackling a repair.

2. Treat a Scorch on Light-Colored Carpets

   If the carpet is very light in color, use the hydrogen peroxide and ammonia method to remove the stain. Always finish by blotting the area with cool water, and allow to air-dry.

   Warning

   Don't use this method on a dark-colored carpet. The color will be greatly affected.

3. Buff Away the Burned Fibers

   Use an emery board or medium-grit sandpaper to lightly brush the scorched area of the carpet and remove the burned or melted fibers. Don't scrub heavily or you'll have a bare spot on the carpet.

4. Trim the Burned Fibers

   You can also use fine-tip scissors, like manicure scissors, to remove the melted fibers. Avoid cutting too deep, or your carpet will be bald.

Ironing

If ironing caused burns or scorch marks on your clothing or carpet, you'll need to clean the iron before using it again. Remove any melted fibers from the soleplate of your iron once it's completely cooled down. Use a spatula to scrape off the fabric, tweezers to remove fibers, or a mix of vinegar and water to eliminate remnants. Don't use an iron until the soleplate is cleaned or it can ruin another piece of clothing.

Repairs

If your iron has melted a hole in the fabric or severely scorched clothes made from synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester, acetate, or acrylic, the damage can never be repaired.

Structured wool garments like coats or suit jackets should be taken to a professional dry cleaner. An experienced tailor may be able to fix a burned hole by reweaving the woolen fabric.

For carpets, patching is possible. If you have any matching carpet scraps or hidden areas under furniture that can be removed, many carpets can be patched by cutting out the burned section and replacing it. This works best on higher-pile carpets where seams can be better hidden.