How to get burn marks out of carpet — 7 effective methods

That heart-stopping moment when you spot a burn mark on your carpet doesn't have to spell disaster. While you might be familiar with expert tips to keep your carpets looking brand new, or know how to remove red wine from carpet, burn marks present a unique challenge.

Whether it's from a dropped hair straightener, a wayward iron, or an accidentally knocked-over candle, these accidents happen to the best of us — and just like knowing how to get paint out of carpet, having the right know-how can make all the difference. Before you panic (or try to rearrange your furniture to hide the evidence like I did), it's important to understand what you're dealing with.

Natural fiber carpets like wool will react differently to burns than synthetic ones — wool tends to shrivel and leave ashes, while synthetic fibers typically melt and leave a hard residue. The good news? Many common burns can be fixed with household items and a bit of patience. Let's get started!

1. Assess the damage

Green sofa in beige carpet in living room

First, identify your carpet type and the burn's severity. Gently touch the affected area — if it's just surface damage, you might be able to handle it yourself. For deep burns or melted synthetic fibers, you may need professional help.

2. Tackle cigarette burns

Start by carefully snipping away any charred fibers with scissors. Dampen a clean cloth with rubbing alcohol and gently dab the area. Keep blotting with a fresh cloth until the mark fades. Remember to work from the outside in to avoid spreading the damage.

3. Fix iron marks

An iron emmits a jet of steam in front of a blue wall

Place a clean white cloth over the burn and run a warm iron over it. The heat can help lift melted fibers. For stubborn marks, try a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water — spray it on, then blot gently with a clean cloth.

4. Handle straightener burns

These can be tricky but aren't impossible to fix. Follow the same method as iron burns, using heat to lift the damage. If that doesn't work, try the vinegar solution method, being patient and gentle with your blotting.

5. Deal with serious burns

For burns from hot pots or pans, carefully scrape off any melted fibers using a dull knife. Mix dish soap with warm water and apply it to the area, blotting gently. Don't rub — you might spread the damage or worsen the burn mark.

6. Consider patching

For more severe burns, you might need to patch the area. Cut out the damaged section and replace it with a matching piece (this is why it's always good to keep leftover carpet from installation). Use carpet adhesive and blend the edges carefully.

7. Know when to call a pro

A scented candle in front of a Christmas tree

Sometimes DIY isn't enough. Professional solutions like carpet rerolling or steam cleaning might be necessary for extensive damage. Don't be afraid to admit when a burn is beyond your repair skills – attempting to fix severe damage could make it worse.

Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Use mats under hot styling tools, keep candles on stable surfaces, and consider carpet protectors under ironing boards. But if accidents happen, act quickly – the sooner you address a burn, the better your chances of successful removal.

Now you know how to tackle carpet burns, why not explore more cleaning tricks? I just found out why microfiber cloths come in different colors — I wish I knew this cleaning hack sooner. And for more household tips, check out how to remove 5 common houseshold stains — a furniture expert gets tough on pesky seasonal spills, 7 cleaning hacks every college student should know and 7 eco-friendly ways to repurpose fallen leaves — expert-approved tips.

Kaycee is Tom's Guide's How-To Editor, known for tutorials that get straight to what works. She writes across phones, homes, TVs and everything in between — because life doesn't stick to categories and neither should good advice. She's spent years in content creation doing one thing really well: making complicated things click. Kaycee is also an award-winning poet and co-editor at Fox and Star Books.