Stains

Stain Guide

Stain Guide for Carpet & Rug Cleaning

Home spot and stain treatment is an important part of maintaining your carpet. Use these tips to treat spots or spills as soon as possible when they happen.

NEVER USE BLEACH

Bleach can remove lots of stains, unfortunately it will also remove the colour from your carpet.

ACT QUICKLY

The older the stain, the more difficult it is to remove. Absorb liquid with clean white towel or paper towels and scrape up solid material. Work from the outside spot toward the center to avoid spreading it.

TEST SOLUTION FIRST

Test the solution on a portion of the fiber or the carpet that is not normally visible.

BLOT GENTLY BETWEEN STEPS

Rubbing or aggressive blotting can cause a stain to spread or penetrate deeper. A clean white towel or paper towel allows you to see when you are no longer absorbing the spot or stain.

BE PATIENT!

Repeat the procedure several times until no more residue shows on your towel.

About the Solutions In This Guide

Ammonia Solution – One tablespoon of household ammonia(Sudsy) to half a cup of lukewarm water.

Detergent Solution – One teaspoon of laundry detergent(Tide) to one cup of lukewarm water.

Enzyme detergent – Use any laundry detergent that contains enzymes. Mix as detergent above.

Non-Oily Nail Polish Remover – Use undiluted as directed.

Unscented Hair Spray – Great on ink and small tar spots.

Vinegar – Plain undiluted white table vinegar.

Stain Guide

Alcoholic Beverages

1. Flush with warm water or soda water. 2. Blot dry.

Animal Stains

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply ammonia solution. 3. Apply vinegar. 4. Rinse and blot.

Artificial Colours

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar. 3. Rinse. 4. Apply enzyme detergent. 5. Rinse and blot dry.

Beer

1. Flush with warm water and blot dry.

Blood

1. Apply cool detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar. 3. Rinse. 4. Apply enzyme detergent. 5. Rinse with cool water and blot dry.

Chocolate

1. Apply non-oily nail polish remover. 2. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 3. Repeat step. 4. Apply detergent solution. 5. Apply ammonia solution. 6. Rinse and blot.

Coffee/Tea/Cola

1. Flush with cold water or soda water. 2. Blot dry.

Crayon

1. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 2. Repeat step 1. 3. Apply detergent solution. 4. Rinse and blot.

Fruit Juice

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar. 3. Rinse. 4. Apply enzyme detergent. 5. Rinse and blot dry.

Glue

Professional Cleaning Recommended

Grass Stains

1. Apply cool detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar. 3. Rinse. 4. Apply enzyme detergent. 5. Rinse with cool water and blot dry.

Gravy

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar solution. 3. Apply enzyme detergent.

Grease/Oil

1. Apply non-oily nail polish remover. 2. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 3. Repeat step. 4. Apply detergent solution. 5. Apply ammonia solution. 6. Rinse and blot.

Gum

1. Chill with ice cube. 2. Scrape off as much as possible. 3. Apply non-oily nail polish remover.

Ink (Ballpoint)

1. Spray with unscented hair spray (yes, this really works!) 2. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 3. Repeat 1 and 2.

Jello

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar. 3. Rinse. 4. Apply enzyme detergent. 5. Rinse and blot dry.

Ketchup

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar solution. 3. Apply enzyme detergent.

Lipstick

1. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 2. Repeat step 1. 3. Apply detergent solution. 4. Rinse and blot.

Milk

1. Apply warm water or soda water. Dry cleaning solution may also be used. 2. Blot dry.

Mud

1. Let dry. 2. Brush, scrap or vacuum off as much as possible. 3. Apply detergent solution. 4. Rinse and blot dry.

Mustard

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar solution. 3. Apply enzyme detergent.

Nail Polish

1. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 2. Apply non-oily nail polish remover. 3. If stain remains apply detergent solution. 4. Apply ammonia solution. 5. Apply vinegar solution. 6. Rinse and blot dry.

Paint (Latex)

1. Blot up. 2. Rinse with detergent solution.

Paint (Oil-Based)

1. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 2. Apply non-oily nail polish remover. 3. If stain remains apply detergent solution. 4. Apply ammonia solution. 5. Apply vinegar solution. 6. Rinse and blot dry.

Rust

1. Apply vinegar. 2. Let sit 5 min. Repeat twice. If stain remains, Professional Cleaning Recommended

Soda

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply vinegar. 3. Rinse. 4. Apply enzyme detergent. 5. Rinse and blot dry.

Tar/Shoe Polish

1. Apply non-oily nail polish remover. 2. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 3. Repeat step. 4. Apply detergent solution. 5. Apply ammonia solution. 6. Rinse and blot.

Urine

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply ammonia solution. 3. Apply vinegar solution. 4. Rinse and blot dry.

Vomit

1. Apply detergent solution. 2. Apply ammonia solution. 3. Apply vinegar solution. 4. Rinse and blot dry.

Wax

1. Apply paint/oil/grease remover. 2. Repeat step 1. 3. Apply detergent solution. 4. Rinse and blot.

Wine (Red)

1. First blot with white wine, if stain remains: 2. Apply detergent solution. 3. Apply vinegar solution. 4. Apply ammonia solution. 5. Rinse and blot dry.