How to Fix Carpet Burns Without Patching

If you've ever lived in a house that has been occupied by a smoker, you've probably seen small burn marks in your carpet. While larger cigarette burns will require patching the carpet with a piece of the remainder carpet, small burn marks can easily be fixed without needing extra carpet.

This fix works best with non-looped carpet such as random shear carpet, cut-loop carpet, Saxony carpet, plush or velvet carpet, or frieze carpet styles. Also, keep in mind that the longer the fibers in the carpet, the easier this fix will be.

Step 1: Remove damaged fibers. Using a sharp pair of scissors, trim away any burned fibers until they are flush with the base of the carpet.

Step 2: Remove any remaining burn marks. Trimming burn marks should remove most of the discolored carpet, but some small patches may still remain. Use a carpet cleaner to remove marks and scrub with steel wool if necessary for stubborn areas. Allow the carpet to dry completely before proceeding.

Step 3: Find replacement carpet fibers. Look for some replacement fibers to cover the burned areas. Trim one single fiber from areas that will not be noticed, such as the carpeting in a closet or along the edge of a room. Continue trimming fibers until you have enough to cover the burned areas, making sure to retain the length of the fiber as much as possible.

Step 4: Glue the carpet fibers into place. Place a dot of superglue on the burned carpeting where you intend to place a fiber. Grasp the fiber with a pair of tweezers and place a small dot of glue at the end of the fiber. Stand the fiber on end so the two superglued portions meet.

Step 5: Cover all of the burned areas. Repeat this process until the burned carpeting is replaced with single carpet fibers. Try to add the same amount of carpet fibers as the ones you had to remove. Allow the area to dry completely.

Step 6: Trim the ends of replacement fibers. Fluff all of the carpet fibers with your hands so they are standing on end. Use a pair of scissors to trim the fibers so they are flush with the surrounding carpet.