Spot Removal Guide
for Carpet
Step by step advanced treatment
recommendations see bottom for spotting solutions.
BLOOD:
-
Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
-
Apply 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, 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! |