Ways to Remove Pine Needles from Your Carpet

While live trees are lovely and have a wonderful aroma, the mess they leave behind may linger far after the tree is gone. Once the needles become embedded into the fabric of the carpet, the sap on the needles works as an adhesive and makes removing the needles a very difficult task. The following suggestions will help you get rid of those annoying pine needles. Carpeting will varies in texture and depth, therefore, so will the removal method. With this in mind, several removal methods are listed. One of these suggestions is sure to work for you!

Suggestion #1 Dry Foam Carpet Shampoo

Apply dry foam carpet shampoo to the troubled area. Let it dry overnight, this will break up the sap and make it easier to remove the needles. The next day you will want to use a stiff brush or a vacuum with a beater bar to remove the needles. Make sure the vacuum has a new bag and a clean roller. Vacuum in different directions and at various angles.

Suggestion #2 Baking Soda

If the carpet foam does not work, try using baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda around the troubled area and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Next, with a stiff brush or while using a vacuum with a beater bar, once again try to remove the needles. Work on one small area at a time and move in various directions.

Suggestion #3 Lint Roller Method

The lint roller method is also a very effective way to remove pine needles. However, this is not your standard lint roller. You will want to purchase an extra large lint roller. This lint roller can be purchased at Wal-Mart for $10.00. You will find this lint roller near the mops and brooms. Once you have removed the label, you will want to clear the area of furniture and move the roller back and forth in various directions over the area. Use a generous amount of pressure and work on one small section at a time. In addition to the pine needles you will be surprised at all the other dirt that this little roller will grab.

Suggestion #4 Shop Vac

The shop van has industrial strength power and was designed to remove almost anything. You can count on it to suck up each pine needle without hesitation. These handly little items can be found at Sears for around $45.00. While it is a rather large investment, you can be sure that you will get plenty of use out of the Shop Vac.

Suggestion #5 Carpet Flick

The Swiffer Carpet Flick is a much more affordable option. This neat little tool works very much like the lint roller. However, unlike the lint roller, you are not required to get down on your hands and knees to use the Carpet Flick. Rather it glides across the carpet like a traditional manual vacuum. The pine needles are flicked onto a replaceable adhesive platform. The Carpet Flick can be found at just about any retail stores and usually sells for around $12.99.

Now that you have mastered the pine needle removal process, next, year you will want to consider purchasing a plastic removable tree skirt. These skirts can be found in the holiday section at nearly any department store. This skirt should be placed under your traditional skirt and will catch all the pine needles your tree has left behind. After the season is over and you have removed all of your tree decorations, this handy little tree skirt can be lifted over the tree and converts into a tree bag. Making your clean up easy and keeping the pine needles with the tree!