Damaged Carpet

[Treefer32]

So, over time, I've had the salt water down the arm thing and onto the floor. Most of the time it's not enough to be a big issue, but, I've spilled more than my fair share splashing water out the edge of the tank as I scrape the glass, etc. We've all done it... I didn't put a towell down on the carpet each time. Plus I've had a couple floods (a few gallons) that I soak up with a towel then dry out with a fav. Usually within 24 hours the carpet and matt are completely dry if a bit starchy from all the salt.

Well, I've now got salty outlines in between tack strips or something under the carpet in three spots in front of the tank. Pictures attached. Plus a pic of my display for the fun of it. Any suggestions on getting the salt out of the carpet? Can I pour vinegar on the carpet then dry it out and vacuum it up or is the carpet completely trashed? Just wondering cheap options to expensive options. (Most expensive would be replacing the carpet in front of the tank with tile or something, which wouldn't look right, but, would save the carpet in the rest of the room...

 

[Beau_B]

It’s hard to tell the extent of the issue from the photo, but why wouldn’t a rug doctor carpet shampoo machine fix this?

A $30 rental will clean up a lot. I’ve been amazed what will come out of a carpet. I would recommend it for all carpets annually at a minimum, aquariums or not.

 

[Treefer32]

I didn't know if the white spots (hardened carpet with salt mixed into it) would come out with a rug doctor. I thought the same thing actually. You're probably right.

 

[PEP12]

try using fresh plain water liberally in one location with a clean white cloth (not coloured) and then use a white kitchen tissue roll to soak up the water that should get the salt mark out, then progress to the remaining marks,

 

[vetteguy53081]

I flushed with a bucket of water and rented a rug doctor with the spinning wheels and it looked so good that I did the rest of the room. After drying, still a slight residue but after repeated vacuuming, starting to blend in

 

[WVNed]

You cant "clean" salt. It isnt dirt. You can only extract it by using water to dissolve it and then suck it up with a carpet cleaner or wet vac. My only suggestion would be to use very hot water since it will dissolve the salt faster.