Removing Spots and Stains in Carpets and Rugs

Prompt attention to spots and spills is essential. No carpet is stain proof, although many are stain resistant, which allows time to act.

-Remove as much of food spills as possible by scraping gently with a spoon or dull knife.

-Absorb wet spills as quickly as possible by blotting repeatedly with white paper or cloth towels.

-Always blot; never rub or scrub abrasively, as a fuzzy area may result. When blotting, work from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to avoid
spreading the spill.

-Always follow up with water to remove detergent residue that may become sticky and cause rapid re-soiling.

-Draw out any remaining moisture by placing several layers of white towels over the spot and weigh them down with a heavy object that will not
transfer color, such as a plastic jug of water.

Stain Removal Procedures -

Use the following recommendations for spot cleaning.

Most Water Soluble Stains- Absorb as much as possible with white towels. Blot the stained area with white towels dampened with cool water until there is no more transfer of the stain onto the towels.

If any of the stain remains, use the detergent solution previously described. Spray lightly onto the spot and blot repeatedly with white towels, working from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to avoid spreading.

Rinse thoroughly by spraying with clean water, and then blot or extract. Do not use too much detergent because the residue will contribute to rapid re-soiling.

For ink stains, start with isopropyl rubbing alcohol at your local department or grocery store. Apply it by pouring some onto a clean white towel or cloth.  Use paper towels as well, as long as they are white. Blot the stain as much as possible until it is removed. Make sure you be careful, because if the stain is small, you need to blot in one direction only so you don't spread the stain. 

For beer, berries and similar stains, do the above but before using detergent, apply the white vinegar solution to a white towel and blot or spray ontothe spot.

For blood, chocolate and wine, follow water soluble stain method, but before using detergent, apply a household ammonia solution to a white towel and blot or spray onto spot. Do not use on wool or wool-blend carpet. Rinse as in directed above.

Oil-Based Stains – Blot as much as possible with white paper towels. Apply the special oil and grease spot remover to a paper towel and repeat blotting.
(Protective gloves should be worn, as the solvent will quickly remove oils from the skin and could result in irritation.) Do not pour or spray directly on the carpet pile, as damage to the backing or adhesive underneath could result; use the towels to transport the solvent to the carpet. Repeat as often as necessary.

Provide adequate ventilation! Do not use flammable solvents! Follow with procedures for water soluble stains.

Freeze stains such as chewing gum and candle wax with ice or a commercially available product in an aerosol can. Shatter with a blunt object and vacuum before the chips soften. Follow up with solvent as for oil based stains.

Using Bleach – WARNING – Only carpets which are solution dyed are resistant to bleaching, but do not exceed the recommended concentration. DO NOT USE THIS PROCEDURE UNLESS YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THE CARPET IS SOLUTION DYED -CARPETS DYED BY OTHER SYSTEMS WILL BE DAMAGED. Products with olefin and nylon blends can not be exposed to bleach without removing the color from the nylon fibers unless the nylon component is solution dyed. Contact manufacturer to determine if carpet is solution dyed.

For solution-dyed carpets with stains such as food dyes, fruit drink, and coffee not removed by water soluble procedures, use a solution of one part chlorine bleach to five parts water.

Rinse several times with water to remove excess bleach so that none is tracked to other areas where there is conventionally dyed carpet.

When in doubt, consult a professional carpet/rug cleaner.