Carpet Spot Removal Procedures

Procedures

1. Urgency is important with spot cleaning. The earlier that you get to it the better it will usually come off. Most carpet is stain-resistant but no carpet is stain-proof.

2. With a putty knife or the edge of other dull knife, scrape off as much of the foreign matter as you can.

3. Never scrub a carpet as this will distort and fray the pile. Absorb as much liquid as you can by blotting before adding any new liquid.

4. If you haven’t already done so, pretest your cleaning solution on a scrap of the carpet or in an inconspicuous area. Some products can damage carpet dye or cause yellowing.

5. Apply your spot-cleaning chemical to an absorbent towel. Never poor the chemical directly onto the carpet. Excess cleaner leaves a residue to attract soil. Some spotters in excess will damage the latex in the back of a carpet.

6. Work the spotter from the outside of the spot toward the center to keep the spot from growing.

Spot Removal Solutions

1. Detergent solution: To 1 cup of warm water add only 3 drops of dish washing liquid. Do not use laundry detergent or powdered dish washing detergent as these may damage the carpet. Do not add more then 3 drops of the liquid detergent, as excess will leave a residue that attracts soil.

2. Acetic acid solution: One half cup of white vinegar to one cup of water.

3. Alkaline solution: Two tablespoons of household ammonia to one cup of water.

4. Alcohol: Isopropyl or grain.

5. Dry cleaning solvent: Used for removing oily spots. Different brands are available for removing spots on clothing.

6. Rinse: Clear water

Removal Procedures Common Spills

Catsup: Scrape, blot, detergent solution, rinse, blot.

Coffee, Tea, Soft Drink: Blot, detergent solution, acetic acid solution, rinse, blot.

Feces: Scrape, detergent solution, ammonia solution, acetic acid, rinse, blot.

Ink: Blot, alcohol, blot, dry cleaning solvent, blot.

Lipstick: Dry cleaning solvent, blot.

Milk: Blot, detergent solution, rinse, blot.

Oil, Grease and Tar: Scrape solids, dry cleaning solvent, detergent solution, rinse, blot.

Paint, oil base: Scrape, dry solvent, detergent solution, rinse, blot.

Paint, water base: Scrape, detergent solution, rinse, blot.

Urine, fresh: Blot, detergent solution, rinse, blot.

Urine, dry: Detergent solution, ammonia solution, blot, acetic acid solution, rinse, blot.

Yellow areas dry and unknown: Rinse, acetic acid solution, blot.

Notice: All spots may not come out. All products should be protested on an inconspicuous area or remnant.