Kinetic sand is surprisingly easy to remove from carpet, so if you want to learn how to get kinetic sand out of carpet you are in the right place.
Our favorite method involves making a small ball of sand with your hands from large chunks within the carpet and using this to collect smaller pieces of the sand. The area can then be vacuumed and spot cleaned if any residue has been left behind.
Let’s jump straight into the method, and then we can address some common questions that we get surrounding kinetic sand in carpet.
Removing Kinetic Sand From Carpet: 7 Easy Steps
The trick to removing kinetic sand from carpet is to not use any water or cleaning products until you have removed as much as possible by hand and vacuum first.
When kinetic sand gets wet it tends to stick to other surfaces, which is why we do not recommend the use of any water or cleaning solution until the majority of the sand has been removed.
Let’s jump into the steps.
1. Form large pieces of the sand into a ball
This may sound counterintuitive, but the best way to remove the majority of the kinetic sand is to clump together larger pieces from the carpet into a ball and use this to pick up the smaller pieces.
Don’t just take our word for it, this is the cleaning method recommended by the manufacturer as well.
2. Pick up smaller chunks of sand
Once you’ve formed a ball press this into any other pieces of sand that you can see to pick them up.
You should need to apply a minimal amount of pressure at this stage as the pieces of remaining sand should stick to the ball easily.
3. Vacuum Up The Remains
Once you’ve got the majority of the sand out of the carpet it is time to vacuum the area to get rid of any smaller pieces that are left.
Use a carpet friendly attachment on a medium setting to thoroughly vacuum the area, which should get rid of any remaining kinetic sand.
4. Check For Residue
Once you have vacuumed check the area where the kinetic sand was spilt for residue left behind.
In some cases, especially where the sand is too wet, you may notice sticky residue or even come color left behind on the carpet fibers. If you notice any marks, then move on to the next step to create a solution to remove them.
5. Mix A Vinegar Solution
Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water together in a container as needed. Vinegar is our go to cleaning agent for carpets, and one that has been featured in many of our other cleaning guides like this one.
If you have an empty spray bottle on hand this will make applying the solution easier, but a bowl will do fine as well.
6. Spot Clean Using The Vinegar Solution
Apply the solution, either using a dishcloth or spray bottle, to the areas needed generously.
After application rub the area gently with a dishcloth, making sure to not apply too much pressure to cause damage to the fibers.
7. Leave To Dry
Once you’ve cleaned the residue up leave the area to dry for a few hours and your carpet will look like new!
FAQS
Just like most things that can get stuck in your carpet – like flour, syrup or even ice cream – there is no end of questions around the topic, and kinetic sand is no different.
What If The Sand Is Wet?
If you have managed to get the sand wet while it is on the carpet then the best idea is to let it dry out.
To do this, spread it around gently using a pair of gloves so that it will dry faster and leave it for a few hours. Once it is dry you can use the method above to remove it all properly.
Does Kinetic Sand Ruin or Stain Carpet?
Kinetic sand shouldn’t ruin your carpet or leave behind any stains, but it can cause some problems if it gets too wet and sticky.
The key is to let it dry out before attempting to pick it up. As it dried it will lose its stickiness and be easier to remove without causing damage.
Is The Kinetic Sand Okay To Use After Being Spilled On A Carpet?
Once you’ve spilt kinetic sand on to carpet it will likely collect dust and hairs quickly.
This can be more problematic if your carpet is particularly dirty, but even if it is relatively clean it will still attract hairs from the carpet fibers. Dust and hair can be tricky to remove from the sand, but it will still technically be suitable for use – just a little dirtier than before.
The trick with kinetic sand is to have a clean surface where it is used, if your children start taking it around the house it will end up getting dirty in no time.
Why Is Water A Bad Idea?
As we already mentioned, water tends to make kinetic sand stickier which makes it more difficult to remove.
If it becomes sticky it can cause damage to the carpet fibers, so you should stick to vacuuming to remove as much as possible and then spot clean any remaining residue with vinegar and water.
Final Thoughts
Getting kinetic sand out of carpet has never been so easy if you follow the steps in this guide.
Just remember to get it dry before you start cleaning it up and you should have no problems removing it with ease.
