Getting sticky mess out of the carpet?

Question

So today I opened my closet and noticed this huge sticky glob on my carpet. I have no idea what it is but it is a light yellow/brown with dark brown spots. It has started to crystallize up some of my cloths. It is scaring me and I want to get it out.

So, I would like some suggestions on how I can get this out. The cheaper method, the better. I also don't want a huge mess on my carpet too. Thanks.

Answer 1

First you need to determine if it's water-soluble.  If it is, then just drop a soaking wet rag on top of it and come back later to start cleaning it up.   Repeat if necessary.

If it's not water soluble, that is, if wetting it doesn't begin to soften or dissolve it, then it might be oil soluble.   You could try applying some lightweight oil like WD-40 to it, to see if that begins to soften it.  If it does, then repeat the above process of applying and cleaning up what gets softened.  

If it's neither of the above, you may have some kind of polymerized crud (maybe some hobby glue or substance, or some kind of plastic material or even an epoxy of some sort) though usually such things won't be "sticky" as you describe.   If it's that, you may have no choice but to replace the carpet (sometimes you can find a spot in a less-visible corner to use for a surgical replacement, if you don't have any leftover carpet to use).

Answer 2

take a good guess as to what it may be, and then use the rug rag stain removal guide

Answer 3

You could try something called "goop" - you can get it at any hardware store and sometimes places like WalMart.  It's stuff that will get almost anything off of your hands and you can use it on clothing.  I've never tried it on a carpet - but it does work on your skin & on fabric.

After you use it, you "wash" the area with regular soap/water (for a carpet I'd use woolite so you don't mess up the dye on the carpet).

Good Luck!

Answer 4

You say huge so it might be to big but you can try this.

Take a spray bottle with warm water & spray down the stain to break up the stickyness. If you have a shop vac, extract the water & repeat.

If you have any excess carpet or a peice from another closet a carpet installer could cut out the damaged area & seam in a new peice.

I usually charge around $50 - $75