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How TO Spot Clean Carpet Stains
Stains and spills on carpet surfaces should be treated immediately after they occur. The longer a spill or Stain remains the more difficult it becomes to remove. The following steps should be taken in stain/spill removal:
• Blot up any excess liquid with a clean absorbent material, such as a towel, cloth or sponge.
• If the spill/stain consists of solids, scrap up the excess solids with a flat tool, such as a putty knife or dustpan. Be sure to disinfect or clean any tools that are used.
• Test the cleaning agent being used on a remote area of the carpet, to check for colour fastness.
• Apply the cleaning agent necessary for the particular stain. Be sure not to over wet the area. A sponge can be used to apply the cleaning agent.
• Blot the cleaning agent into the stain with the towel or sponge. Be sure not to rub or brush the Stain, because this could cause the stain to spread.
• Work from the outer portion of the stain inwards.
• After the Stain/spill is removed, rinse the area with clean water. A sponge can be used for sponging on water.
• Absorb the excess moisture with a towel. After the excess moisture is removed, place a clean towel on the area, and then place a heavy object, such as books, on top of the towel to help in the absorption process. Keep the weight on the towel overnight.
SPOTTING SOLUTION SUGGESTIONS:
• Concentrated Detergent and Water Solution = 2 teaspoons of detergent to 2 cups of warm water.
• Ammonia and Water Solution = 2 tablespoons of ammonia to 1 cup of water.
• White Vinegar (or Acetic Acid) Solution = 2/3 cup of white vinegar to 1 - 1/3 cup of water.
SPOTTING RECOMMENDATIONS:
BEER - Blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water. If traces remain, sponge with white vinegar solution, blot with cloth. If traces remain, sponge with dry cleaning solvent.
BLOOD - Blot up excess, sponge with cold water, blot with cloth, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. Repeat if necessary.
BUTTER - Scrape up excess, sponge with dry cleaning solvent, blot with cloth. If it remains, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water. If it remains, sponge with white vinegar solution.
CANDLE WAX - Scrape up excess, blot with a dry-cleaning solvent, blot with cloth. Repeat if necessary.
CANDY - Scrape up excess, Sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, Sponge with water, blot with cloth. If stain persists, sponge with dry-cleaning solvent, blot with cloth.
CATSUP - Scrape up excess, Sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, Sponge with water, blot with cloth. Repeat if necessary. If any stain remains, sponge with ammonia and water solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth.
CHIOCOLATE MILK or COCOA - Blot up excess, Sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If Stain persists, apply the ammonia and water solution, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If stain persists, apply the white vinegar solution, sponge with water, blot with cloth.
COLA - Blot up excess, clean with detergent solution, blot with cloth. Repeat if necessary. If stain persists, apply the ammonia solution, blot with cloth. If Stain persists, apply white vinegar solution, blot with cloth.
COFFEE - Blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, Sponge with water, blot with cloth. If stain persists, sponge with a dry-cleaning solvent.
COFFEE with CREAM and SUGAR - Blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If stain persists, sponge with white vinegar solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water. If stain still persists, sponge with detergent solution again.
CRAYON - Scrape up excess, sponge with white vinegar solution, blot with cloth. If Stain persists, sponge with dry-cleaning solvent. If Stain persists, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water.
EGG - Scrape or blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If stain persists sponge with ammonia solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water. If Stain persists, sponge with detergent solution again, blot with cloth, sponge with water.
FOODS (Greasy) - Scrape or blot up excess, sponge with dry-cleaning solvent, blot with cloth. Sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water. Repeat if necessary.
FOODS (General) - Scrape or blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If trace remains, sponge with dry-cleaning solvent, blot with cloth.
FRUIT JUICES - Blot excess, sponge with detergent, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If stain persists, sponge with ammonia solution. If stain persists, sponge with white vinegar solution.
FURNITURE POLISH - Blot up excess, sponge with dry-cleaning solvent, blot with cloth.
GLUE Plastic base) - Scrape or blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water. If still persists, sponge with white vinegar solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water.
GREASE - Scrape up excess, sponge with dry-cleaning solvent, blot with cloth.
GUM - Scrape up excess (may be easier if chilled first with ice cube or aerosol gum remover). Sponge with dry- cleaning solvent, blot with cloth. Repeat if necessary.
ICE CREAM - Scrape or blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If traces remain, sponge with ammonia solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water. If traces remain, sponge with white vinegar, blot with cloth, sponge with water.
INK - Blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If trace remains, sponge with ammonia solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth.
IODINE (Tincture) - Blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth. If Stain persists, sponge with dry-cleaning solvent, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If stain still persists, sponge with white vinegar solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth.
LIPSTICK - Scrape up excess, sponge with white vinegar solution or detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If stain remains, sponge with dry cleaning solvent.
LIQUOR - Blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If stain persists, sponge with white vinegar solution, blot with cloth. Repeat if necessary.
MUSTARD - Scrape up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. Repeat if necessary. If trace persists, sponge with white vinegar solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If stain persists, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water.
NAIL POUSH - Scrape or blot up excess, sponge with white vinegar solution, blot with cloth. If stain persists, sponge with nail polish remover or acetone, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If stain persists, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water. As a last try, sponge with ammonia solution.
PAINT Latex) - Scrape or blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If traces remain, sponge with ammonia solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water. If paint has dried, professional attention is recommended, although a paste type paint remover followed by dry-cleaning solvent and then detergent can he tried.
RUST - Scrape up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water. Repeat if necessary. If stain is old, professional attention may be necessary.
SALAD DRESSINGS - Blot up excess, sponge with dry-cleaning solvent, blot with cloth. If spot persists, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If stain still persists, sponge with white vinegar solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water.
SHOE POLISH - Blot up excess, sponge with dry cleaning solvent, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If trace persists, sponge with paint remover without oil solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. If Stain persists, sponge with dry cleaning solvent again. Then try detergent solution.
TEA - Blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water, blot with cloth. sponge with white vinegar solution, blot with cloth.
URINE - Blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water. Sponge with ammonia solution, blot with cloth. If still persists, sponge with white vinegar solution, blot with cloth, sponge with water.
VOMIT - Scrape and blot up excess, sponge with detergent solution, blot with cloth. sponge with water, blot with cloth. Repeat if necessary.
Carpet Stain Treatment
Treatment (Cleansing Agent)
1. Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent (e.g. Softly) with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.
2. Dry-cleaning fluid, lighter fuel or mineral turpentine.
Caution: Ensure that no flame or lighted cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated area.
3. Mineral turpentine effectiveness is increased if mixed with an equal quantity of dry-cleaning fluid. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lighted cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated area.
4. Methylated spirits. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lighted cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated area.
5. Hydrogen peroxide (20 vol). Dilute 10 to 1 with cold water. Caution: Do not use on dark or patterned carpet.
6. Dye stripper. Dilute 50 to 1 with cold water. Caution: Do not use on dark or patterned carpet.
7. Chewing gum remover (freezing agent).
8. Nail polish remover.
9. Clean warm (not hot) water.
10. Cold water.
11. Weak solution of white vinegar or lemon juice with cold water.
12. Absorbent powder (e.g. salt or talc). Sprinkle on spillage, leave overnight and vacuum next day.
13. Enzyme digester. Must not contain any bleaches or colour brighteners. Always rinse with clean water and absorb with a older cotton cloth. - This treatment not recommended for Wool Carpets
TYPE OF STAIN ORDER OF
TREATMENT
Beer 1
Beetroot 13
Bleach 1
Blood 13,10,6
Burn or scorch 5
Butter 13,10
Candlewax 3
Chewing gum 7
Chocolate 13,10
Cocoa 13,10
Coffee 13,10
Cooking oils 2,1 or 13,10
Crayon 2,1
Cream 13,10
Egg 1,13
Excrement 13,10
Fruit juice 9,1
Furniture polish 2,1
Grass 13,10
Gravy 13,10
Grease 13,10
Ice cream 1,
Ink-ballpoint 4,1
Ink-fountain 9,1,6
Lipstick 2,1
Metal polish 2,1
Mildew 1,5
Milk 13,`10
Mustard 13,10
Nail polish 8,2
Oil 2,1 or 13,10
Paint-emulsion 2,10,1
Paint-all base 3,2,1
Rust 2,1,11
Salad dressing 2,1 or 13,10
Shoe polish 2,1
Soft drinks 9,1,5
Tar 3,2,1
Tea 13,10
Urine 1,13 or 10
Vomit 13,10
Wine-red 1,13,10
-white 13,10
When attempting to remove any stains always ensure that the carpet is dry before proceeding to the next step in the order of treatment. The solvents normally used in dry-cleaning are perchlorethylene, white spirit or fluorocarbons. Whilst this advice is offered in good faith, no responsibility is accepted for claims arising from the treatments proposed. If stains fail to respond to treatments listed, call your local NUCCA member.
Carpet Spotting Guide
Listed below are procedures for removing different types of carpet stains and spots. Please contact your local distributor to purchase the chemicals listed. Remember that after cleaning is completed, always make sure that all chemicals are removed from the carpet by flushing with clean fresh water. This is best done using a carpet extractor or carpet spotting machine.
Listed after the spotting guide are further definitions of the chemicals and tools identified.
From the list below pick the stain you are attempting to remove. Then reference the cleaning procedure below using the number listed to the right of the stain.
STAINS
Always scrape, blot or vacuum excess first
After spotting, dry quickly with a towel, fan or hair dryer
For Stain Resistant Carpets - Use procedure 16 on all spots. If spot is not removed, use procedure listed for stain. Rinse and apply FLUOROCARBON to restore stain resistance.
For Wool – Use procedure 16 on all spots. If spot is not removed, use procedure listed for stain and rinse with a MILD ACID chemical
ADHESIVES – 14 FRUIT JUICE - 12 REOCCURRING - 15
ALCOHOLIC BEV - 11 FURNITURE STAINS – 3,12 RUST - 5
ANTI-FREEZE – 1 GLUE – WHITE - 14 SALAD DRESSING - 4, 7
ASHES – 1 GRASS STAINS – 4, 7 SEWER WATER 4, 7, 10
ASPHALT/TAR - 3 GREASE - 3 SHOE POLISH - 3
BABY FOOD – 4 GUM - 13 SOFT DRINKS - 11
BARK – 11 HAIR SPRAY - 2 SOOT - 1
BEER – 11 HAND LOTION - 2 SOY SAUCE - 11
BERRIES – 12 ICE CREAM - 11 SUNTAN PRODUCTS - 2
BETADINE/IODINE - 8 INK – WASHABLE - 1 TAR - 3
BLOOD/BODY FLUID - 7 INK – PERMANENT - 12 TEA - 17
CANDY - 1,12 JAM AND JELLY - 11 TOMATO JUICE - 11
CAPPUCCINO – 17 JELLO – GELATIN - 11 TOOTHPASTE - 1
CATSUP – 11 KOOL-AID - 12 TREE SAP - 2
CEMENT-MODEL - 14 LIP STICK - 3 UNKNOWN - 3, 11
CHEESE – 4 MAKE-UP - 3 URINE – 4, 10
CHOCOLATE – 11 MEDICINES - 3, 12 VARNISH – 3, 12
CLAY-RED – 1 MILDEW - 10 VASELINE - 1
COFFEE – 17 MILK - 4 VOMIT – 4, 7, 10
COLA – 11 MUSTARD – 7,5,12 WALLPAPER PASTE - 2
COPY TONER – 2 NAIL POLISH - 3 WATER STAINS – 5, 8
CRAYON – 6, 12 ODORS - 10 WAX - 6
EGG – 4 PAINT-LATEX - 2 WINE - 12
EXCREMENT – 4,7, 10 PAINT-OIL BASE - 3 WOOD PUTTY - 2
FOOD DYES – 12 PAINT- WATER BASE - 1 YELLOW STAINS - 11
Cleaning Procedure
1. Saturate spot with DETERGENT, allow to set 1 minute, tamp vigorously with brush, flush with water, extract or blot dry. Repeat if necessary.
2. Moisten spot with NON-VOLATILE SOLVENT, allow to set 5 minutes, tamp occasionally with tamping brush. Apply DETERGENT, tamp, and flush out with water, extract with water. Repeat if necessary.
3. Moisten spot with VOLATILE DRY SOLVENT and blot with cloth removing as much as possible. Moisten spot with NON-VOLATILE SOLVENT, allow 5 minutes with occasional agitation using tamping brush. Flush with DETERGENT, agitate, and extract with water.
4. Saturate spot with DETERGENT, allow to set 2 minutes, agitate with tamping brush, flush with water, extract or blot dry. Apply ACID SPOTTER and allow to set 2 minutes, extract or blot dry.
5. Saturate spot with RUST REMOVER, watch the colour disappear, flush with water, extract with water.
6. Steam the spot by covering with white towel and applying a steam iron to the spot. The wax will melt and transfer to the towel. Moisten the spot with VOLATILE DRY SOLVENT, blot dry, then saturate the spot with DETERGENT, allow to set 1 minute, agitate with tamping brush, flush with water and extract.
7. Mix 1 ounce of ENZYME CLEANER in a quart of hot water (120 to 140 degrees F), apply this solution to the spot and cover with a warm damp white towel. Allow to set for 30 minutes, flush out with water, extract or blot dry. Repeat if necessary.
8. Use caution. This procedure and chemical can cause damage to carpet colour. Make sure to test for loss of colour in an inconspicuous place. Apply REDUCING AGENT liberally to the spot and cover with cloth for 10 minutes. Repeat if necessary. Flush out with water, extract or blot dry.
9. Moisten spot with NON-VOLATILE SOLVENT. Apply DETERGENT immediately after to prevent bleeding of colour, flush out with water, extract or blot dry. Repeat if necessary.
10. Saturate the area with DETERGENT, working in with tamping brush, flush with water and extract or blot dry. Saturate area with DEODORANT, extract or blot dry.
11. Saturate the spot with DETERGENT, allow to set 2 minutes, agitate with tamping brush, flush with water, extract or blot dry. Apply ACID SPOTTER, to the spot and allow to set 2 minutes, extract or blot dry. If the spot isn’t out, it may be a dye, so proceed as follows: Test carpet in an inconspicuous place for possible loss of colour or pattern. Saturate spot with DYE REMOVER, covering with a white cotton or paper towel and apply steam from a steam iron for 30 seconds. If colour transfers on the towel, repeat the same procedure for 15-20 seconds on the spot. Keep towel and spot wet with DYE REMOVER and move towel on each press. When spot is removed, or no colour transfers, flush out with water, extract or blot dry.
12. Test carpet in an inconspicuous place for possible loss of colour or pattern. Saturate spot with DYE REMOVER, covering with a white cotton or paper towel and apply steam or a steam iron for 30 seconds. If colour transfers on the towel, repeat the same procedure for 15-20 seconds on the spot. Keep towel and spot wet with DYE REMOVER and move towel on each press. When spot is removed or no colour transfers flush out with water, extract or blot dry.
13. Remove excess gum with scraper, punch holes in remaining gum, apply GUM REMOVER and allow to set for 2 minutes. Extract with hot water or remove with damp cloth. When you can no longer see any material, saturate area with DETERGENT, agitate with bone scraper, flush with water, extract or blot dry.
14. Moisten cloth with GUM REMOVER and blot lightly, keeping the adhesive or varnish wet so that it will slowly absorb onto the cloth. When you can no longer see any material, saturate area with DETERGENT, agitate with bone scraper, flush with water, extract or blot dry.
15. On reoccurring spots simply re-clean with the appropriate procedure. Cover the spot with a clean towel and weight it down until dry. The spot that comes back simply absorbs into the towel and leaves the carpet clean.
16. Saturate the spot with STAIN RESIST DETERGENT, allow to set for 3 minutes, agitate occasionally with tamping brush, extract or blot dry.
17. Saturate the spot with a DETERGENT, allow to set 2 minutes, agitate with tamping brush, flush with water, extract or blot dry. Apply ACID SPOTTER to the spot and allow to set 2 minutes, extract or blot dry. If the spot isn’t out, it may be a DYE, so proceed as follows: Test carpet in an inconspicuous place for possible loss of colour or pattern. Saturate spot with DYE REMOVER, covering it with a white cotton or paper towel and apply steam from a steam iron for 30 seconds. If the colour transfers on the towel, repeat the same procedure for 15 to 20 seconds on the spot. Keep towel and spot wet with DETERGENT and move towel on each press. When spot is removed or no colour transfers flush out with water, extract or blot dry.
These procedures have resulted in satisfactory cleaning outcomes in various situations. However, Ace Cleaning Services, cannot be held liable for varying results. Ace Cleaning Services is not liable for any damages resulting from using these procedures.
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