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Maintaining
a spot free carpet is made
much easier if it has been treated with a high
quality fabric protector. No carpet, however,
is stain proof. Many conditions can cause permanent
discoloration of carpet fiber. Among these
are the dye in some food and beverages, bleaches,
acids and caustic solutions found in every
day cleaning products. Pet urine and even household
dust (especially dust filtration stains along
the walls) can, over time, permanently discolor
your carpet.
Take immediate steps to remove
spots. The longer a spot remains on the carpet
the more likely it is to become a permanent
stain. If your carpet has been
treated with a protective fiber treatment it
should respond effectively to simple spot cleaning
procedures. You'll be amazed at how easy spot
removal can be when you closely follow the
simple steps outline in this spot removal guide.
Click
on one of the stains in the list below to get
step-by-step instructions for their removal.
Red Wine
Red wine spills result in an absorbed type
of stain that is reddish or purplish in color
and contains alcohol, sugar, tannin and various
coloring agents.
1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot (See Caution
Below)
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until
dry.
6. Apply dry cleaning solvent, blot.
Ammonia: 1 Tbs. clear household ammonia
in 1/2 cup water. Always pre-test.
Detergent: 1-2 drops colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing
liquid in 1 cup lukewarm water.
Enzyme Detergent: Mix enzyme detergent per instructions on
package and allow to remain on stain recommended time. Do not over wet.
CAUTION: Enzymes can damage natural fibers like wool. Use with care
or call us.
Vinegar: 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water.
(Dry cleaning solvent, or "oil solvent" contains volatile organic
compounds. Use carefully in strict accordance with manufacturers' instructions.
Use in a well-ventilated space and avoid products containing perchlorethylene
-- considered quite hazardous).
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Chocolate
Chocolate results in a built up or absorbed
stain that is brown colored with irregular
edges. It can contain oil, grease, cocoa, butter,
coloring, sugar and dairy products.
1. Scrape off as much as possible with a spatula
or dull edge knife.
2. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
5. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. (See Caution
Below)
6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until
dry
Ammonia: 1 Tbs. clear household ammonia
in 1/2 cup water. Always pre-test.
Detergent: 1-2 drops colorless, mild
detergent or dishwashing liquid in 1 cup lukewarm
water.
Enzyme Detergent: Mix enzyme detergent per instructions on package and
allow to remain on stain recommended time. Do not over wet.
CAUTION: Enzymes can damage natural fibers like
wool. Use with care or call us.
Vinegar: 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water.
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Soft Drinks
Soft drinks cause stains that can be colorless,
yellowish, reddish, brownish and that darken
with age. They contain tannin, sugar, vegetable
coloring, flavoring and fruit extracts.
1. Apply cold detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula
or the back of a tablespoon to work spotting
solution deep into spot. DO NOT SCRUB as this
may cause nap distortion of the fiber.
5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
Ammonia: 1 Tbs. clear household
ammonia in 1/2 cup water. Always pre-test.
Detergent: 1-2 drops colorless, mild
detergent or dishwashing liquid in 1 cup lukewarm
water.
Enzyme Detergent: Mix enzyme detergent per instructions on package and
allow to remain on stain recommended time. Do not over wet.
CAUTION: Enzymes can damage natural fibers like
wool. Use with care or call us.
Vinegar: 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water.
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Mud and Soil
Mud and soil are grayish, brownish, reddish or yellowish. They are absorbed and
built-up types of stains that can contain soil with greases and oils, as well
as clay and iron.
1. Brush or scrape off as much as possible.
2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula or the back of a tablespoon to work
spotting solution deep into spot. DO NOT SCRUB as this may cause nap distortion
of the fiber.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
6. If stain remains, apply a “paint oil and grease” remover and dry
cleaning solvent alternately, blot until dry.
Ammonia: 1 Tbs. clear household
ammonia in 1/2 cup water. Always pre-test.
Detergent: 1-2 drops colorless, mild
detergent or dishwashing liquid in 1 cup lukewarm
water.
Enzyme Detergent: Mix enzyme detergent per instructions on package and
allow to remain on stain recommended time. Do not over wet.
CAUTION: Enzymes can damage natural fibers like
wool. Use with care or call us.
Vinegar: 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water.
(Dry cleaning solvent, or "oil solvent" contains volatile organic
compounds. Use carefully in strict accordance with manufacturers' instructions.
Use in a well-ventilated space and avoid products containing perchlorethylene
-- considered quite hazardous).
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Pet Soil & Vomit
Pet soil or vomit is a complex
mixture of foodstuffs, saliva, stomach acids
and digestive waste products. Sometimes, this
mixture can stain the pile of a carpet or leave
a persistent odor.
1. Immediately pick up/blot up as much material
as possible using paper towels or a clean,
white cloth. A tablespoon makes a good scraper
if necessary.
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
3. Apply detergent solution, blot.
4. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula
or the back of a tablespoon to work spotting
solution deep into spot. DO NOT SCRUB as this
may cause nap distortion of the fiber.
5. Rinse thoroughly with cool clean water,
blot until dry.
Ammonia: 1 Tbs. clear
household ammonia in 1/2 cup water. Always
pre-test.
Detergent: 1-2 drops colorless,
mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in
1 cup lukewarm water.
Enzyme Detergent: Mix enzyme detergent
per instructions on package and allow to remain
on stain recommended time. Do not over wet.
CAUTION: Enzymes can damage natural fibers like
wool. Use with care or call us.
Vinegar: 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water.
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Coffee & Tea
Coffee and tea stains appear brownish with
irregular edges. They may contain tannins,
sugars, fatty acids, alcohols, oils, milk
and cream. These stains darken with heat and
age.
1. Apply detergent solution, blot. (Enzyme
detergent may be used if a dairy product was
mixed in. (See caution below.)
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
4. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula
or the back of a tablespoon to work spotting
solution deep into spot. DO NOT SCRUB as this
may cause nap distortion of the fiber.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until
dry.
Ammonia: 1 Tbs. clear household ammonia
in 1/2 cup water. Always pre-test.
Detergent: 1-2 drops colorless, mild
detergent or dishwashing liquid in 1 cup lukewarm
water.
Enzyme Detergent: Mix enzyme detergent per instructions on package and
allow to remain on stain recommended time. Do not over wet.
CAUTION: Enzymes can damage natural fibers like
wool. Use with care or call us.
Vinegar: 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water.
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Ketchup & Tomato
Sauces
Ketchup and other tomato-based sauces are reddish brown and cause both
absorbed and built-up types of stains. They generally contain tomatoes, salt,
sugar, spices, tannin, vinegar, onions, artificial coloring, preservatives, etc.
1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. (Note Caution below about using enzymes on natural
fibers)
4. If stain remains, bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate
is recommended – proceed with extreme caution, or call us.
5. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula or the back of a tablespoon to work
spotting solution deep into spot. DO NOT SCRUB as this may cause nap distortion
of the fiber.
6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
Ammonia: 1 Tbs. clear household
ammonia in 1/2 cup water. Always pre-test.
Detergent: 1-2 drops colorless, mild
detergent or dishwashing liquid in 1 cup lukewarm
water.
Enzyme Detergent: Mix enzyme detergent per instructions on package and
allow to remain on stain recommended time. Do not over wet.
CAUTION: Enzymes can damage natural fibers like
wool. Use with care or call us.
Vinegar: 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water.
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Cosmetics
Cosmetics can include makeup, mascara, lipsticks,
lotions and creams. Mostly they are pigments
in dyes, fats, waxes and oils.
1. Scrape off excess (using a dull edge tool)
and apply POG* remover, blot.
2. Apply dry cleaning solvent, blot.
3. Apply detergent solution, blot.
4. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
5. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
6. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula
or the back of a tablespoon to work spotting
solution deep into spot. DO NOT SCRUB as this
may cause nap distortion of the fiber.
7. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
Ammonia: 1 Tbs. clear household ammonia in 1/2 cup water. Always pre-test.
Detergent: 1-2 drops colorless, mild
detergent or dishwashing liquid in 1 cup lukewarm
water.
Enzyme Detergent: Mix enzyme detergent per instructions on package and
allow to remain on stain recommended time. Do not over wet.
CAUTION: Enzymes can damage natural fibers like
wool. Use with care or call us.
Vinegar: 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water.
* (Dry cleaning
solvent and POG --
paint oil grease
-- remover are available
at most hardware
stores. Or call us.
Solvents contain
volatile organic
compounds and must
be used in strict
accordance with manufacturers'
instructions. Use
in a well-ventilated
space and avoid products
containing perchlorethylene
-- considered quite
hazardous).
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Plant Food
Many plant foods have chemicals that can damage
the color of your carpet. Try these recommendations,
but you may need to call us for help.
1. Scoop up as much as possible.
2. Blot up remaining with clean white towels.
3. Apply warm detergent solution, blot.
4. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula
or the back of a tablespoon to work spotting
solution deep into spot. DO NOT SCRUB as this
may cause nap distortion of the fiber.
5. Rinse with water, blot dry.
6. If stain persists, apply dry cleaning solvent,
blot.
Ammonia:
1 Tbs. clear
household ammonia
in 1/2 cup
water. Always
pre-test.
Detergent: 1-2 drops colorless, mild
detergent or dishwashing liquid in 1 cup lukewarm
water.
Enzyme Detergent: Mix enzyme detergent
per instructions on package and allow to
remain on stain recommended time. Do not
over wet.
CAUTION: Enzymes can damage natural fibers like
wool. Use with care or call us.
Vinegar: 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water.
(Dry cleaning solvent, or "oil solvent" contains volatile organic
compounds. Use carefully in strict accordance with manufacturers' instructions.
Use in a well-ventilated space and avoid products containing perchlorethylene
-- considered quite hazardous).
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