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Carpet Stain Chart

Always test all cleaners in an inconspicuous place before using the methods in the carpet stain chart. Use the following chart as a guide to remove stains from your carpet. follow steps in order listed when using this carpet stain chart.

Spot Removal Steps

Act Quickly! Most carpet available today has been treated with a stain-resist treatment, so many spills can be removed if immediate action is taken. The longer the delay, the higher the probability of a spill becoming a permanent stain. Remember, staining is influenced by many factors, and no carpet is completely stain proof.

Blot liquids with a dry, white, absorbent cloth or white (no printing) paper towels.

Do not scrub the area! Scrubbing can cause pile distortion in the affected area. Continue to use a dry cloth or paper towels until the area is completely dry. For semi-solids, gently scrape up with a rounded spoon. Solids should be broken up and vacuumed until completely removed.

If the spot can be identified, locate the substance in the spot removal computer and follow the directions carefully.

Pretest any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area to make certain the solution will not damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the wet area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.

Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to a white cloth, allow to sit for about 10 minutes and work in gently.

Work from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent the spill from spreading. Do not scrub! Blot, absorbing as much as possible, and repeat if necessary.

Continue using the first cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. It is not necessary to use all of the cleaning solutions if the first solution removes the spill. Be patient! Complete removal of the spill may require repeating the same step several times.

After the spill has been completely removed, rinse the affected area thoroughly with cold water, and blot with a dry cloth until all of the solution has been removed. Some cleaning solutions will cause rapid soiling if the solution is not completely removed. Apply a one-half inch layer of white paper towels to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy object. Continue to change paper towels as needed.

A dry, absorbent, cleaning compound may be used as a substitute to accelerate drying time.

ANIMAL WASTE

detergent or ammonia (see Note A), vinegar

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE

detergent, vinegar

ASHES

detergent, dry cleaning fluid

BALL POINT PEN 

dry cleaning fluid

BEER  

detergent, vinegar

BLEACH

detergent, vinegar

BLOOD

water (see Note B)

BUTTER

detergent

CANDLE WAX

(see Note C)

CANDY

detergent, vinegar

CATSUP

detergent

CHEWING GUM

(see Note D)

CHOCOLATE

detergent, vinegar

COFFEE

detergent, vinegar

COSMETICS

dry cleaning fluids, detergent, ammonia, vinegar

COUGH SYRUP

detergent

DYE

(water based) detergent, ammonia, vinegar

EGG

detergent, ammonia, vinegar

FRUIT AND FRUIT JUICE

detergent, ammonia, vinegar

FURNITURE POLISH

dry cleaning fluid, detergent, ammonia, vinegar

GLUE

(water soluble) detergent, ammonia, vinegar

GRAVY

detergent

GREASE

dry cleaning fluid

HOUSEHOLD CEMENT

dry cleaning fluid

ICE CREAM

detergent, ammonia, vinegar

INK

dry cleaning fluid, detergent, ammonia, vinegar

LIPSTICK

ry cleaning fluid, detergent, ammonia, vinegar

MARGARINE

detergent

MILK

detergent, ammonia, vinegar

MUD, DIRT, CLAY

detergent

MUSTARD

detergent, vinegar

NAIL POLISH

dry cleaning fluid

OILS

dry cleaning fluid, detergent, ammonia, vinegar

PAINT

(see Note E)

PERFUME

dry cleaning fluid, detergent, vinegar

POTTING SOIL

let dry overnight; vacuum carefully with hose end of a canister vacuum. Use water and detergent on any residual soil

SALAD DRESSING

dry cleaning fluid, detergent, vinegar

SHOE POLISH

dry cleaning fluid, detergent, vinegar

SOFT DRINK

detergent, ammonia, vinegar

SOOT

detergent, vinegar

SYRUP

detergent, vinegar

TAR

dry cleaning fluid

TEA

detergent, vinegar

 

URINE, ANIMAL FECES

detergent, vinegar (see Note A)

UNKNOWN STAINS                                                                                                                                                                 detergent, dry cleaning fluid

VOMIT                                                                                                                                                                                          detergent, ammonia, vinegar

WINE                                                                                                                                                                                                vinegar, detergent


{Note A} If Animal urine and feces are not removed properly, they will often react with carpet dyes leaving a permanent stain. Urine will soak into the carpet backing and/or pad; after drying, the residue will breed odor-causing bacteria that is very difficult to remove. Professional help is advised.

{Note B} Use COOL water first on fresh blood to prevent setting the stain. Continue using only water to rid the blood from area.

{Note C} Candle wax can be removed by covering the affected area with several layers of dry cloth towel(s) and applying a warm iron on top of the towels. The wax will soften and attract to the heat thus becoming absorbed into the clean towel. Change towels often to properly absorb the wax. Do not overheat as some synthetic fibers within carpets have a low melting point. Any remaining residue can be removed with dry cleaning fluid.

{Note D} Chewing gum can removed by freezing it with ice and cracking it from the affected area. Place several ice cubes in a sealed plastic bag and apply to gum until frozen. After cracking away as much gum as possible, remove any remaining residue with dry cleaning fluid.

{Note E} Use a detergent solution (one teaspoon neutral detergent such as Dreft, Vel, Trend or Ivory Liquid to one cup water) for water-based paint spills. Use a dry cleaning fluid or the recommended cleaning solution (on the can which came with the product) for oil-based paint spills. Use a dry cleaning fluid on dried paint. If you should plan to contact a professional carpet cleaner for large spills, do your best to prevent the paint from drying by covering the affected area until a professional is able to arrive. Water based paint should be covered with a wet towel and plastic. Oil-based paint may simply be covered with plastic

Having a reliable carpet stain chart handy brings a simple piece of mind to protect your investment of quality carpeting in your home. You will find a copy in our carpet stain chart section of the Flooring care and cleaning guide. It is a very handy tool for this chart and much more to make the care and cleaning of the floors in your home easy and relatively hassle free.

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