How to Remove Plaster from Carpet

It is always a good idea to cover carpet with a drop cloth when re-plastering as the mix can be tricky to work with. If you end up with some plaster on your carpet though, don’t worry; it can be removed fairly easily. Follow the steps below.

• A dustpan
• A spoon
• A hammer
• White vinegar
• Water
• A spray bottle
• A cloth
• Carpet shampoo, foaming cleaner, or shaving foam

1. If the plaster is still wet, scoop up as much as possible. If there is a large amount, it may help to use a dustpan and a spoon. Once you have removed as much plaster as possible, skip to step 3.
2. If the plaster has dried, gently press on it with a hammer to break it apart. Do not bang the hammer on it as you may damage the subfloor under the carpet. Instead, simply grind it into a powder, then vacuum up the powder.
3. Combine one part white vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle.
4. Spray the mixture onto the remaining plaster. If you don’t have a spray bottle, you can use a cloth to moisten the carpet pile that has plaster on it. Do not pour the mixture onto the carpet as it will be too much liquid and soak down into the carpet padding, possibly causing other problems.
5. Let the mixture soak on the carpet for an hour or two, re-applying more liquid to keep the area moist if needed.
6. Once the remaining plaster has softened, scrape it off the carpet with a spoon. Be careful not to scrape so hard that you damage the carpet pile. You can also use your fingernails to squeeze it out of the carpet fibers.
7. Once you have removed as much as possible by scraping, clean the area with a carpet shampoo or foaming carpet cleaner. Follow the instructions on the label of your selected product. If you don’t have either of those products, white foam shaving cream can be used instead. To use shaving cream, apply a small amount on a cloth, then gently rub it into the carpet. Do not scrub or you may damage the carpet pile.
8. Blot the area with a damp cloth to rinse.
9. Blot the area with a dry towel to absorb the remaining moisture.

• Plaster is water-based and will become soft if allowed to soak for long enough.
• Do not soak the carpet or you may end up with mold.
• If you accidentally soak the carpet, put a fan on the area to help it dry more quickly.
• Always cover carpeting with plastic, such as a painter’s tarp or plastic trash bags, when doing work on a wall or ceiling.