• Home • Contact Us! • Testimonials • Stain Removal Guide • Site Map •

 

[Under Construction]

Residential

Commercial

Tile and Grout Care

Upholstery Cleaning

Air Pollution

Newsletter

Specials

Referral Rewards

Our Guarantee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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.

AMONIA
 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, blotApply ammonia solution, blotApply 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, blotRinse 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  rApply 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, blotApply ammonia solution, blot
Apply vinegar solution, blotRinse 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 drycleaning 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 makesure 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 anextraction
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

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.