Carpet cleaning tips, stain, & spot removal guide

                  Step by step advanced treatment recommendations.

BLOOD

• Apply cool detergent solution, blot
• cool ammonia solution, blot
• Apply enzyme detergent, blot
• Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry
• If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution
• Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide may be necessary

BUTTER AND MARGARINE

• Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot
• Apply detergent solution, blot until dry
• Apply vinegar solution, blot
• Rinse with water, blot until dry

CANDLE WAX

• Scrape away as much wax as possible with spatula or dull knife
• Apply dry cleaning solvent
• Apply POG, blot
• Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot *Refer to general recommendation for hot iron treatment of wax

KETCHUP & TOMATO SAUCE

• Apply cool detergent solution, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Apply enzyme detergent, blot
• If stain remains, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate
• Rinse thoroughly with water, blot dry

CHOCOLATE

• Scrape away as much as possible with spatula or dull knife
• Apply cool detergent solution, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Apply vinegar solution, blot
• Apply enzyme detergent, blot
• Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry

COFFEE

• Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently
• Apply vinegar solution, blot
• Cover with dry towels until dry

CRAYON

• Apply dry-cleaning solvent
• Apply POG, blot
• Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot
• Apply detergent solution, blot
• Rinse with water, blot until dry

FOOD COLORING

• Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently. A dried stain of food coloring will most likely spread when wet. Repeat until color is no longer transferred to towel
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry

FURNITURE STAIN

• Apply dry-cleaning solvent
• Apply POG, blot
• Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot
• Apply detergent solution, blot
• Rinse with water, blot until dry. Unfortunately, a furniture stain is nearly impossible to remove completely

GRASS

• Apply amyl acetate if available to remove chlorophyll, blot
• Apply enzyme detergent, blot
• Rinse with water, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Apply vinegar solution, blot
• Rinse with water, blot until dry. Bleaching or professional stripping may be necessary

INK (Ballpoint)

• Apply dry-cleaning solvent
• Apply POG, blot
• If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution

INK (India)

• Apply dry-cleaning solvent
• Apply POG, blot
• Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot
• Apply detergent solution, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Rinse with water, blot until dry

JAM & JELLY

• Apply detergent solution, blot
• Apply vinegar solution, blot
• Rinse with water, blot
• Apply enzyme detergent, blot
• Rinse with water, blot until dry

LIPSTICK

• Scrape off excess with spatula or dull knife
• Apply POG, blot making sure not to reapply stain into fabric
• Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot
• Apply detergent, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Apply vinegar solution, blot
• Rinse with water, blot until dry. Try to avoid wet cleaning on wool. Use POG and dry-cleaning solvents as long as possible

MILDEW

• Apply enzyme detergent, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Rinse thoroughly with water, blot
• Apply solution of oxidizing bleach (chlorine or perborate) Do not use chlorine bleach on wool or silk
• Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry

MUD

• Brush or scrape away as much excess mud as possible
• Apply detergent solution, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry
• If stain remains, apply POG and dry-cleaning solvent alternately, blot until dry

MUSTARD

• Apply detergent solution, blot
• Apply vinegar solution, blot
• Apply enzyme detergent, blot
• If stain remains, rust remover (Oxalic acid solution) or bleaching may be necessary. Do not use ammonia or alkalies

NAIL POLISH

• Apply dry-cleaning solvent
• Apply amyl acetate if available or nail polish remover - PRETEST INCONSPICUOUS AREA FIRST
• If stain remains, apply detergent solution, blot until dry
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Apply vinegar solution, blot
• Rinse with water, blot until dry

PAINT (Oil based)

• Apply detergent solution, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Rinse with water, blot until dry
• Apply POG, blot
• Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot

PAINT (Water based)

• Check label on paint or specific thinner or solvent or Apply dry-cleaning solvent
• Apply POG, blot
• Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot
• Alternate steps 2 and 3 until stain is removed
• If stain persists, weight down the stain with towels dampened with dry-cleaning for several hours to loosen, blot with solvent
• Apply several drops of detergent solution and work into the stain, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Alternate steps 2 and 3 and 6 until stain is removed
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water, blot until dry

SHOE POLISH

• Apply dry-cleaning solvent
• Apply POG, blot
• Apply dry-cleaning solution, blot
• Apply detergent solution, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry
• If stain persists, bleaching or professional stripping may be necessary

URINE

• Blot as much as possible if still wet
• Apply detergent solution, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Apply vinegar solution, blot
• Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry
• If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution
• Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate might be necessary. Urine stains may cause permanent dye removal from fibers

VOMIT

• Blot as much as possible
• Apply enzyme detergent, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• Apply vinegar solution, blot
• Rinse with water, blot until dry

WINE

• Apply detergent solution, blot
• Apply vinegar solution, blot
• Apply ammonia solution, blot
• If necessary, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate
• Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry. (If all else fails, switch to Chardonnay)

Spotting Solutions

AMMONIA SOLUTION

Mix one tablespoon of clean household ammonia with one-half cup of water.

BLEACH

Use hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate (present in Snowy or Clorox II). DO NOT use chlorine bleach.

DETERGENT SOLUTION

Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

DRY-CLEANING SOLVENT

Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Thoro, Carbona, Energize, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful in sizing, backings or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid or carbon tetrachloride.

POG

Paint, oil and grease remover; available in hardware stores. Use extremely small amounts with extreme caution!