Your urge may be to remove the hairball right away, but it’s best to let the hairball firm up a bit before removal. Blot the area lightly; do not apply too much pressure, as this may cause the stain to penetrate deeper into the carpeting.
Remove the hairball using a paper towel. Spray the area generously, then blot the area with with a clean towel. Repeat as necessary until the stain is fully removed.
Wait for the salt to dry, which may take 12-24 hours, maybe longer if it’s cold or damp. Step on the salt and grind it up with your foot to break it up. Brush it into a dustpan using a stiff scrub brush or vacuum it up. [4] X Expert Source Ashley MatuskaProfessional Cleaner Expert Interview. 15 April 2019. You may need to pick some particles out of the carpet.
Repeat the process if the stain remains after the spot has dried. You can let the mixture sit on the stain overnight for older stains.
Choose the machine size based on the area you need to cover. If it is only a small stain, you can rent a small cleaning machine but may want more with a wider cleaning area if you anticipate doing your entire floor.
Take precautions to avoid burning the carpet. Do not heat the iron to a medium or high setting, as this could melt the fibers in your carpet.
Check on it often. Keep the heat low and do not make direct contact with the carpet. Keep the iron in place for one minute.
You may want to dry the spot thoroughly with a paper towel, but you shouldn’t need to do anything else to remove the stain.