Stain Removal Guide
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, 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, 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. |