A classic family Easter celebration involves a tasty brunch, followed by an Easter egg hunt – and the family tradition of dyeing Easter eggs. The problem lies in the egg dye – it gets everywhere, no matter if it is commercial or a more natural batch of dye you created at home. Whether dyes are chemical or from natural sources, if spilled, you can expect to be dealing with some very difficult stains. 

Plan Ahead – It Pays Off.

If you are planning a get-together with friends and family, you want your home to look its best. The COIT technicians can deep clean your carpets and upholstery with our truck-mounted extraction system and finish the job with a specialized protectant we have developed – COITGard. Easter Egg dye isn’t the only problem you can encounter after a party. Wherever people – especially children – gather, spills happen. COITGard serves to protect your carpet and upholstery from stains, spills, and spots. An added bonus for concerned parents (and pet owners) – COITGard is non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

Oops. Easter Egg Dye is Everywhere!

No matter how carefully you lay out protective paper or plastic, you and your kids can be left with stains on hands, clothing, and in the worst case – on your carpet, with ugly spots and blotches of green, blue, and red. All egg dyes can be a disaster if spilled or when bright egg dyes are transferred from stained little hands to carpet or upholstery.

To avoid permanent damage to your carpet, upholstery, or countertops, use these simple tips:

• Fully cover your counter and nearby areas with plastic or paper, with no gaps. A plastic tablecloth works well. Tape the edges under the table so it won’t slip off and create a major dye disaster.
• Get the kids well-covered in a painting smock or apron or you can expect their clothing to be permanently stained.
• Stay with the kids throughout the dyeing process so they are restricted from moving around your home until the egg dyeing activity is finished.
• When mixing your dyes, use glass or ceramic rather than plastic. These are heavier and less likely to tip over and spill and plastic containers tend to pick up the dye.
• Classic home dyeing kits contain a flimsy little dipping wand – throw it away. It is far too easy for an egg to drop and roll, leaving an ugly stain. As an alternative put the undyed egg in a wire whisk, ice cream scoop, or other deep, sturdy kitchen utensil.

What to Do if Easter Egg Dye Gets on Your Carpet

1. If you see blotches, drips, or handprints in blue, red, or green, the most important thing to do is attack the area immediately with a mixture of (uncolored) dishwashing liquid and warm water. Only use a white cloth or paper towels to blot at the stain – don’t rub as it will push the dye deeper into the carpet fibers. Keep blotting until no more color appears on the cloth or paper towels. Start at the outer edges and move inward to keep the dye from spreading.
2. Rinse with a clean white cloth and plain water and allow it to air dry.
3. Still see color? Time to try non-sudsing ammonia mixed with water (you only need one tablespoon per cup of water). Test your carpet first! You don’t want to remove the carpet color!
4. Some spot remover sprays can work, but these sprays or solutions should be tested first so you are not left with areas of your valuable carpet looking bleached.

Custom Carpets? Call the Pros at COIT.

For more delicate, natural fibers in carpet or upholstery, get professional help from COIT. We use the most advanced technology in our stain removers and have developed a full range of professional cleaning products appropriate for even the most delicate fabrics. Your entire carpet will be left looking and smelling fresh and clean.