8 STEPS TO USE FOR ALL SPOTS & STAINS
1. Treat spills and stains immediately. The longer the spot remains in the carpet, the more difficult it will be to remove. Remove spots before they dry.
2. Blot up as much of the spot a possible using a clean absorbent white towel or paper towel. If the spot is solid or semi-solid, scrape up with a spatula or rounded spoon. Be careful not to damage the carpet fibers. If the stain is solid, vacuum away as much as possible.
3. Next pretest any spot removal agent in a inconspicuous area of the carpet to make certain it will not damage the carpet fibers or dye.
4. To remove the spot, apply a small amount of cleaning solution to the stain or to a white absorbent towel and gently blot away the spot. Do not use a very soapy solution as it will be difficult to completely remove and the residue left in the carpet will resoil more rapidly. Keep applying solution to a fresh area of the towel and continue to blot until the stain is completely removed. Work from the outside of the spot toward the center, being careful not to spread the stain around.
5. Do not brush or scrub the spot as this may cause carpet fiber damage.
6. Repeat step 4 as long as there is a transfer of the stain to the towel. You may have to use another spot removal agent if the spot is not completely removed by the first agent.
7. After you have removed the spot as much as possible, rinse area with water and blot dry. Next, apply about a 1/2 inch layer of paper towels over the spot and weight down with a book or other heavy flat object. Change the paper towels when they become saturated and allow spot to dry overnight. Remove towels and gently brush the carpet pile with your fingertips to raise the pile. The idea here is that any remaining spot should absorb into the paper towels and vanish from the carpet. This procedure is also good for a spot that reappears after you have removed it. Sometimes it might take two or three applications.
8. The keys to remember: act quickly, do not let the spot dry if possible, use small amounts of cleaning solution – do not overwet, always blot, do not rub or brush, work from the outside in toward the middle of the spot, and be patient. Some stains respond very slowly, and some stains cannot be removed due to the fibers and dyes. Professional help may be needed. But take heart – most spots can be removed if cleaned immediately.
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YOUR BASIC SPOTTING KIT
(BE PREPARED BY HAVING THESE CLEANING AGENTS ON HAND)
1. A special purpose spot removal detergent (available at your supermarket or from a professional cleaner). Or you can make your own using a weak solution of liquid dish detergent (about 1/2 teaspoon to a quart of warm water).
2. Dry cleaning solvent available at the supermarket.
3. A weak acetic acid solution using one part white vinegar to two parts water.
4. Ammonia solution using two tablespoons of ammonia to one pint of water.
5. POG – paint, oil and grease remover available at the hardware stores.
6. Nail polish remover – a satisfactory spot remover for nail polish and other similar spills. This remover should be tested first in an inconspicuous area of the carpet to make sure no damage occurs.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide (3% solution for bleaching).
8. Rust Remover – generally this product is available in supermarkets. One product that works is made by Whink Products Co. in Eldora, IA. This product is dangerous as it contains Hydrofluoric Acid.
Extreme caution must be used when using any rust remover product. Always use heavy-duty household rubber gloves when working with any rust remover product.
SAFETY WARNING
For your safety, when working with chemicals and chemical spills, you should always take steps to protect yourself from chemicals making contact with your skin, eyes and mouth. Gloves and safety glasses should be worn. Some chemicals may react with each other resulting in toxic fumes. Make sure the area is well ventilated and protect yourself from exposure. It is especially important to be mindful of children when chemicals are present. A good source for information on what to do in cases of accidental poisoning is Health A to Z. You should also keep the number for your local Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) handy at all times.
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STAIN REMOVAL GUIDE
(Scroll down
to find your stain)
ACID
Acid will start working immediately dissolving coloring
from non-colorfast fibers and may even breakdown some of
the fibers itself. You should act quickly to try to
remove as much of the acid as possible while it is still
wet. Vacuum and blot heavily. Work dry baking soda into
the spot and vacuum again. This should remove most of
the acid. You now want to dilute that which remains.
Apply ammonia solution and blot. Rinse with warm water,
blot dry. Place an absorbent towel over the stain and
weigh it down with books and leave overnight. This will
draw more of the moister and acid. You won't be able to
assess the full damage till the following day since any
remaining acid will continue working at breaking down
the coloring. Professional cleaners cannot remove
certain spots because of chemical changes which have
taken place before the rug reaches them. By using the
above method, when the rug is professionally cleaned you
will be less likely to have a spot show up.
ACNE MEDICATION
Apply dry cleaning solvent, blot Apply detergent
solution, blot Apply ammonia solution, blot
Apply vinegar solution, blot Rinse with warm water -
blot until dry Possible permanent change
ALCOHOL
Apply detergent solution. Blot.
Apply vinegar solution. Blot.
Bleach with hydrogen peroxide if necessary.
Rinse with cold water. Blot dry.
AMMONIA
Apply vinegar solution, blot Rinse with warm water, blot
until dry
BALL POINT INK
Caution *(do not use this method for ink on clothing)
Apply nail polish remover to towel and blot Repeat using
dry cleaning solvent, blot
Remove as much as possible, then apply detergent
solution, blot
Apply ammonia solution, then vinegar solution, rinse
with water, blot dry
NOTE: Hairspray can be applied and blotted. Use caution
when using
BATTERY ACID
Apply ammonia solution, blot Rinse with warm water
Probable permanent change
BEER
Apply detergent solution, blot Apply vinegar solution,
blot Rinse with warm water, blot dry
BEET JUICE
Apply detergent solution, blot, Apply ammonia solution,
blot, Apply vinegar solution, blot
Rinse with warm water, blot dry Probable permanent
change
BLEACH
Bleach will start working immediately dissolving
coloring from non-colorfast fibers and may
even breakdown some of the fibers itself. You should act
quickly to try to remove as much of the bleach
as possible while it is still wet. Vacuum and blot
heavily. Work dry detergent into the spot and vacuum
again.
This should remove most of the bleach. You now want to
dilute that which remains. Apply detergent solution
and blot. Rinse with warm water, blot dry. Place an
absorbent towel over the stain and weigh it down with
books
and leave overnight. This will draw more of the moister
and bleach. You won't be able to assess the full damage
till the following day since any remaining bleach will
continue working at breaking down the coloring.
Professional cleaners cannot remove certain spots
because of chemical changes which have taken place
before the rug reaches them. By using the above method,
when the rug is professionally cleaned you will be
less likely to have a spot show up.
BLOOD
Blood is a protein which most laundry detergents should
dissolve. The same thing that removes grass stains
should remove that blood stain. Apply cool
detergent solution, blot Apply ammonia solution, blot
Apply vinegar solution Rinse with water. If stain
remains, an application of rust remover may help Again,
rinse thoroughly with water, blot dry.
BUTTER
Apply dry cleaning solvent, blot Apply detergent
solution, blot Apply ammonia solution, blot
Apply vinegar solution, blot Rinse with warm water, blot
dry.
CANDLE WAX
Scrape off all you can. Ice cubes will make it brittle
for easier scraping. A hot iron (on low heat setting)
over a damp cloth or paper towel will melt and absorb
remaining wax. Apply dry-cleaning solvent. Blot.
CANDY
Scrape off all you can with a dull knife. Sponge with
detergent solution. Blot. Rinse. Be sure all traces of
sugar are gone. Sugars left in carpet will cause a rapid
re-soiling problem.
CATSUP
Apply cool detergent solution, blot Apply ammonia
solution, blot Apply vinegar solution, blot. Rinse with
water Blot until dry. Possible permanent damage.
CHOCOLATE
Scrape off all you can first. Sponge with dry-cleaning
solvent. Blot. Sponge with detergent solution. Blot.
Rinse. If stain remains, bleach with hydrogen peroxide.
CIGARETTE BURNS
If the burn is slight, rub with dry steel wool — or if
you feel confident, trim the damaged tufts. If the burn
is bad, take a razor blade and scrape some fibers from a
hidden area and use super glue to patch the burn with
the fibers.
COCKTAILS
Apply detergent solution, blot Apply ammonia solution,
blot Apply vinegar solution, blot. Rinse with war
water, blot until dry.
COFFEE
Blot with detergent solution. Rinse. Blot with vinegar.
Rinse. Air dry. If stain remains, sponge with dry
cleaning solvent. Bleach remaining stain with hydrogen
peroxide. Coffee is a very difficult stain, and can in
many cases be permanent.
COLA
Apply detergent solution, blot Apply ammonia solution,
blot. Apply vinegar solution, blot Rinse with
warm water, blot until dry.
COLOGNE
Apply detergent solution, blot Apply ammonia solution,
blot. Apply vinegar solution, blot Rinse with
warm water, blot until dry.
COOKING OIL
Apply dry cleaning solvent, blot Apply detergent
solution, blot. Apply ammonia solution, blot Rinse with
warm water, blot until dry.
COSMETICS
Apply nail polish remover, blot Apply dry cleaning
solvent, blot. Apply detergent solution, blot
Apply ammonia solution, blot Apply vinegar solution,
blot. Rinse with warm water, blot until dry Possible
permanent damage
COUGH SYRUP
Apply detergent solution, blot Apply ammonia solution,
blot. Apply vinegar solution, blot Rinse with water,
blot until dry.
CRAYON
Scrape off all you can. Just as with candle wax, use a
hot iron and a damp cloth to melt and absorb the
remaining wax. Apply dry cleaning solvent. Blot. Apply
detergent solution. Rinse. Blot dry.
EGG
Blot up as much as possible Apply detergent solution,
blot. Apply ammonia solution, blot. Rinse with
warm water, blot until dry.
EXCREMENT
Apply detergent solution, blot Apply ammonia solution,
blot. Apply vinegar solution, blot Rinse with
warm water, blot until dry.
FOOD DYE
Apply dry cleaning solvent. Apply detergent solution,
being careful not to spread the spot. Apply
ammonia solution, blot. Apply vinegar solution, blot
Rinse thoroughly with warm water, blot until dry.
Possible permanent change.
FRUIT JUICE
Apply detergent solution, blot. Apply ammonia solution,
blot. Apply vinegar solution, blot. Rinse with
warm water, blot until dry. Possible permanent change.
FURNITURE WOOD STAIN
Apply nail polish remover, blot. Apply dry cleaning
solution, blot. Apply detergent solution, blot.
Apply ammonia solution, blot Rinse with warm water,
blot until dry. Probable permanent change, especially if
the stain has dried.
FURNITURE POLISH
If solvent based, apply nail polish, remove. Apply dry
cleaning solvent. Apply detergent solution, blot.
Apply ammonia solution, blot. Apply vinegar solution,
blot. Rinse with warm water, blot until dry.
Possible permanent damage.
Start with detergent solution and Follow the last four
steps above.
GELATIN
Apply detergent solution, blot. Apply ammonia solution,
blot. Rinse with warm water, blot until dry.
GLUE (SCHOOL)
Apply water, blot. Apply detergent solution, blot.
Apply ammonia solution, blot. Rinse with warm water,
blot until dry.
GRAVY
Apply detergent solution, blot. Apply ammonia solution,
blot. Apply vinegar solution, blot. Rinse with
water, blot until dry.
GRASS
Apply nail polish remover. Apply detergent solution,
blot. Apply ammonia solution, blot. Apply vinegar
solution, blot. Rinse with warm water, blot until
dry. Possible permanent damage.
GREASY FOODS
Apply dry cleaning solvent. Work to center to avoid
ring. Blot. Apply light detergent solution. Rinse. Blot
dry.
GUM
Use aerosol gum freeze or ice cube to harden the gum and
make it brittle, then strike and break into pieces.
Scrape them up with a dull butter knife. Remove residue
with dry cleaning solvent.
ICE CREAM
Don't wait. Blot up all you can immediately with a dry
cloth. Apply ammonia solution or protein digester.
Rinse. If area is large, shampoo afterward.
IODINE
Apply dry cleaning solvent by placing on rag and
blotting. Apply detergent solution. Apply ammonia
solution. Apply vinegar solution. Rinse with warm
water, blot until dry. Possible permanent damage.
INK
Sponge with detergent solution. Rinse. If stain remains,
saturate with cheap hair spray and blot. Always work
from the outside in to avoid making the spot bigger.
JAM/JELLY
Apply detergent solution. Let sit to soften. Blot. Apply
vinegar solution. Blot. Rinse. Blot dry.
LIPSTICK
Scrape off all you can, taking care not to spread the
stain. Apply dry cleaning solvent and blot repeatedly
until color is gone. Apply detergent solution. Blot.
Apply ammonia solution. Blot. Rinse. Blot.
LIQUOR
Apply detergent solution, blot. Apply ammonia
solution, blot. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
Rinse with warm water, blot until dry.
MILDEW
Dry-brush to remove as much as possible. Sponge area
with disinfectant solution. Blot. Sponge with
ammonia. Rinse. Bleach with hydrogen peroxide.
MILK
Apply cool detergent solution, blot. Apply ammonia
solution, blot. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
Rinse with water, blot until dry. Apply dry cleaning
solution, blot.
MUD
Allow to dry and vacuum or brush off as much as
possible. Apply detergent or ammonia solution.
Blot. Rinse. Blot dry. If stain remains, apply dry
cleaning solvent. Blot dry.
MUSTARD
Apply vinegar solution. Blot. Apply detergent solution.
Blot. If stain remains apply rust remover or hydrogen
peroxide solution. Blot. Do not use ammonia or
alkaline cleaners which could turn stain brown.
NAIL POLISH
Blot acetone or non-oily nail polish remover through the
stain into a clean absorbent pad. No acetone on
acetate, modacrylic, silk, or wool. Use amyl acetate
from a pharmacy. Flush with dry cleaning fluid. Air-dry.
NEWSPRINT
Apply dry cleaning solvent. Apply POG. Alternate 1st
two steps, blotting frequently. Apply detergent
solution, blot. Apply ammonia solution, blot. Apply
vinegar solution, blot. Rinse with warm water,
blot until dry. Possible permanent change.
OIL
Apply dry cleaning solvent. Work to center to avoid
ring. Blot. Apply light detergent solution. Rinse. Blot.
PAINT/VARNISH
Oil-based paint or varnish: if fresh, flush with mineral
spirits. If dry, carefully soften with lacquer thinner
(test first for fabric damage) then flush with
appropriate solvent.
PAINT (WATER BASE)
Apply detergent solution, blot, repeat. Apply ammonia
solution, blot. Apply POG to remove old hardened
paint. Apply dry cleaning solvent to remove POG, blot.
NOTE: Cured latex paint is almost impossible to remove
PET STAINS
Blot out all liquid possible by placing a clean towel on
the spot and standing on it. Apply bacteria/enzyme
digester according to directions. When dry, remove
any remaining stain with detergent solution. Rinse. Blot
dry.
PLASTER
Vacuum or scrape off as much as possible. Apply
detergent solution. Rinse with warm water, blot
until dry. Repeat as necessary.
POTTING SOIL
Do not wet when attempting to clean up. Vacuum up as
much as possible using wet-dry vac. DO NOT use a
vacuum cleaner with a beater bar. Wait overnite or
until completely dry and vacuum up using a beater
bar vacuum.
CAUTION make sure the remaining soil is dry before
vacuuming as you may spread the stain around if still
damp. If it needs further cleaning, clean the area using
an extraction cleaning machine. Possible permanent
damage.
RUBBER CEMENT
Roll the hardened glue off. Apply dry cleaning solvent,
blot. Apply POG. Apply dry cleaning solvent,
blot. Apply detergent solution, blot. Rinse with
warm water, blot until dry.
RUST
CAUTION Use heavy duty household rubber gloves when
working with rust remover. Apply rust remover or
oxalic acid solution. Blot using a soft absorbent towel.
Repeat as needed. Rinse with warm water, blot until
dry.
CAUTION - Be careful not to get any on your skin. Don't
apply it to glass, porcelain or enamel surfaces.
SALAD DRESSING
Apply dry cleaning solvent. Apply detergent solution,
blot. Rinse with warm water, blot until dry.
Possible permanent change.
SYRUP
Apply detergent solution, blot. Apply ammonia solution,
blot. Rinse with warm water, blot until dry.
TEA
Apply dry cleaning solvent. Apply detergent solution,
blot. Rinse with warm water, blot until dry.
Possible permanent change.
RUST
Rub with steel wool or rust remover. If you use
professional rust remover, be careful not to get any on
your skin.
Don't apply it to glass, porcelain or enamel surfaces.
Rinse. Blot dry.
SHOE POLISH
Gently scrape off all you can, being extra careful not
to spread the stain. Blot dry cleaning solvent through
the stain into a clean absorbent pad. Sponge with
detergent solution. Blot. Sponge with ammonia. Rinse.
If stain remains, try alcohol, then hydrogen peroxide.
SOFT DRINKS
Blot up all you can. Blot with detergent solution.
Rinse. Air dry. If stain remains, soak with glycerin for
30 minutes and rinse.
SYRUP
Apply detergent solution, blot. Apply ammonia solution,
blot. Rinse with warm water, blot until dry.
TAR
Scrape up all you can, then remove residue by blotting
with paint thinner or dry cleaning solvent.
Blot with detergent solution. Rinse. Blot dry.
TOOTHPASTE
Apply detergent solution, blot. Apply ammonia solution,
blot. Apply vinegar solution, blot. Rinse with
warm water, blot until dry.
VOMIT
Scrape up as much as possible. Apply bacteria/enzyme
digester according to directions.
When dry, remove any remaining stain with detergent
solution. Rinse. Blot dry.
URINE
Blot up as much as possible with white absorbent
towels. Apply detergent solution, blot. Apply
ammonia solution, blot. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
Rinse with warm water, blot until dry. Could cause
permanent dye removal from fabric.
VASELINE
Scrape off as much as possible. Apply dry cleaning
solvent. Rinse with warm water, blot until dry.
WAX
Scrape off all you can. Ice cubes will make it brittle
for easier scraping. A hot iron (on low heat
setting) over a damp cloth or paper towel will melt and
absorb remaining wax. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
Blot.
WINE
Blot up excess wine. Apply detergent solution, blot.
Apply ammonia solution, blot. Apply vinegar
solution, blot. Rinse with warm water, blot until dry.
Possible permanent damage.
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