How to Repair Cigarette Burns in Carpet

Follow the steps below for a practical and affordable way to repair cigarette burns without having to replace the damaged carpet. It’s as simple as replacing the burnt fibers, and in some cases, removing scorch marks surrounding the burned area.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Repairing Small Cigarette Burns

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    Snip away the singed edges of the carpet with fine manicure scissors.[1]
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    Use tweezers to pull out the burned fibers and discard the along with the singed clippings.
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    Use your fine manicure scissors to cut out a small amount of undamaged carpet strands from another area of the carpet that is hidden from view.[2]
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    Place the clean fibers in a small dish. You will need enough new fibers to fill the burn hole.
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    Apply strong household glue to the damaged area where you have removed the burnt fibers.[3]
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    Use tweezers to press the clean fibers into the gluey spot.[4]
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    Cover the repaired area with a heavy object, such as a thick book, for several days.
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    Comb the repaired area with a wide-toothed comb, or plump up the new fibers with your fingers so that it blends in with the rest of the carpet.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Repairing Large Cigarette Burns

Burns too large to be filled with fiber strands can be repaired by using a replacement piece of carpet. You can accomplish this if you have extra remnants from the carpet, or if you have a carpeted closet area that you don’t mind cutting into.

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    Prepare the burned area by cutting out all the burned fibers with a sharp knife or blade.
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    Vacuum the debris, making sure you remove all burnt fibers out of the damaged area.[5]
  3. 3
    Measure the burned area.[6]
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    Place the damaged stencil or paper template over the piece of replacement carpeting you plan to use.
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    Outline the desired shape on the carpet with a washable marker.
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    Use a sharp knife or blade to cut out the replacement carpet piece.[7]
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    Apply carpet cement to the damaged area, using manufacturer’s recommendations.
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    Press the new carpet piece into place.[8]
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    Cover the replacement piece with a towel.
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    Place a heavy object or objects on the repaired area, and leave them on for several days.[9]
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    Gently fluff up the fibers around the new seams with a wide-tooth comb or with your fingers so that the new piece blends in with the existing carpet.[10]
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Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    How do you fix a cigarette burn on a rug?
    Austin Reinders
    Austin Reinders
    Rug Cleaning & Restoration Expert
    Austin Reinders is a Rug Cleaning & Restoration Expert, as well as the President of Simonian Rug Cleaners in San Mateo, California. He specializes in cleaning oriental rugs. Simonian Rug Cleaners has been in the business of cleaning and repairing rugs for almost 70 years.
    Austin Reinders
    Austin Reinders
    Rug Cleaning & Restoration Expert
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    Well, it comes down to the type of rug and the construction. If the rug is handwoven, a specialized company could take out the damaged material and weave a new piece. If it's a new material rug with a plastic backing that is not handmade, then it can be a little bit more challenging to repair and have it look seamless. If it's a regular carpeting that was turned into an area rug, you can try cutting it down by yourself.
  • Question
    Can I stencil a synthetic rug to cover the burn?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.

    This might be possible provided the burn area will allow the paint to take. Paint suitable for the rug is likely to be acrylic or fabric paint, or a spray paint. Test a small area first to see if the paint works for the rug (allow to dry before assuming it has taken, as it may peel off). The stencil design will need to be able to either cover the burn or incorporate it into your design. You may also need to consider adding the stencil design to other parts of the rug to ensure that it looks balanced.
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Warnings

  • Carpet fibers and segments in hidden areas and closets may not be the same color as the piece you are attempting to repair. Sun and heavy use can fade carpets, so be aware of any color variations before taking replacement fibers.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Carpet professionals should handle the repair of burned areas larger than a few inches (about 5 cm) in area.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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Things You’ll Need

  • Manicure scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Small bowl or container
  • Strong household glue
  • Sharp knife or blade
  • Carpet cement
  • Vacuum
  • Razor blade
  • Paper
  • Heavy book or other heavy object
  • Towel
  • Wide-toothed comb

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about repairing and cleaning carpets and rugs, check out our in-depth interview with Austin Reinders.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/quick-tip-26-how-to-repair-carpet-burn-marks-martha-stewart-154163
  2. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/quick-tip-26-how-to-repair-carpet-burn-marks-martha-stewart-154163
  3. ↑ https://removeandreplace.com/2014/04/26/how-to-repair-a-burn-mark-from-carpet/
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPYAUV-fZl0
  5. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/floor-and-surface-cleaning/how-to-fix-a-burnt-carpet.html
  6. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/floor-and-surface-cleaning/how-to-fix-a-burnt-carpet.html
  7. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/floor-and-surface-cleaning/how-to-fix-a-burnt-carpet.html
  8. ↑ https://removeandreplace.com/2014/06/09/how-to-fix-a-carpet-burn-from-an-iron/
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPYAUV-fZl0
  1. ↑ https://removeandreplace.com/2014/06/09/how-to-fix-a-carpet-burn-from-an-iron/

About This Article

Austin Reinders
Co-authored by:
Austin Reinders
Rug Cleaning & Restoration Expert
This article was co-authored by Austin Reinders. Austin Reinders is a Rug Cleaning & Restoration Expert, as well as the President of Simonian Rug Cleaners in San Mateo, California. He specializes in cleaning oriental rugs. Simonian Rug Cleaners has been in the business of cleaning and repairing rugs for almost 70 years. This article has been viewed 146,935 times.
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Co-authors: 10
Updated: March 10, 2023
Views: 146,935
Categories: Carpet and Rug Repairs
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