General Carpet Care

• Checklist To Handle Stains And Spills
• General Cleaning Instructions

Specific Stain And Spill Removal

General Carpet Care

Checklist To Handle Stains And Spills

A good checklist to handle spills should include the following items. Use only those listed, because other household products contain chemicals that may permanently damage your carpet.

• A solution of a mild liquid detergent (no more than 1/4 teaspoon of detergent to 32 ounces of water). A clear, non-bleach liquid dishwashing detergent such as Dawn, Joy, or clear Ivory is recommended. Do not use detergents that are cloudy or creamy because they may leave a sticky residue.
• A solution of 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water.
• White cloths or white paper towels (no printing).
• An ammonia solution of one part ammonia to ten part's water. Do not use on wool or wool-blend carpets!
• Isopropyl Alcohol, straight or mixed with water where necessary. Found in any drug store.
• Non-oily nail polish remover.
• Chewing gum remover (freeze or solid type).
• Spot remover specifically for grease, oil, or tar, such as Carbona or Energine. All references to "dry clean fluid" in the spotting guide pertain to Carbona and Energine.

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General Cleaning Instructions

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. NOTE: Wool fibers absorb more water than synthetic fibers without feeling damp, so it is important to remove all excess moisture.

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Specific Stain And Spill Removal

Ball Point Pen Ink

Absorb all ink on surface with dry, white, plain paper towels. Blot with an Acetone-based nail polish remover. Blot with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel. Do not pour directly on the carpet or you will destroy the latex glue holding the primary and secondary backing together. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot with a solution of 2 tablespoons of HOUSEHOLD ammonia per cup of water. Blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar per 2 cups of water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Apply a one-half inch layer of WHITE (no printing) paper towels to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day.

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Berry Stain

Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel. If large quantity has spilled, apply a one-half inch layer of WHITE (no printing) paper towels to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day before attempting removal. Blot with a solution of 1/4 of a cup of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot with a solution of 2 tablespoons of HOUSEHOLD ammonia per cup of water. Blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar per 2 cups of water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Apply a one-half inch layer of WHITE (no printing) paper towels to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day.

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Blood

Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel. Blot with a solution of 2 tablespoons of HOUSEHOLD ammonia per cup of water. If not fully removed, apply household Hydrogen Peroxide (the 3% drugstore variety) to the stain and blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. NOTE: Sometimes the Hydrogen Peroxide will bleach out the carpet fibers. Apply a one-half inch layer of WHITE (no printing) paper towels to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day.

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Butter

Scrape up residue. Blot with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel. Do not pour directly on the carpet or you will destroy the latex glue holding the primary and secondary backing together. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with a solution of 2 tablespoons of HOUSEHOLD ammonia per cup of water. Blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar per 2 cups of water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel.

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Candle Wax

• On nylon carpet only, place a white towel on the area. Heat an iron to medium and set on the towel for thirty seconds. Move the towel as needed. CAUTION: This procedure can damage the carpet if not done very cautiously.
• If unable to use the above hot iron technique, blot with an Acetone-based nail polish remover. Blot with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel. Do not pour directly on the carpet or you will destroy the latex glue holding the primary and secondary backing together. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar per 2 cups of water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel.

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Chewing Gum

Place several ice cubes in a plastic bag and press against the chewing gum so that it gets brittle and can be pulled or broken off. Small bits can be cut out. For any remaining gum, blot with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel. Do not pour directly on the carpet or you will destroy the latex glue holding the primary and secondary backing together. Scrape up residue. Re-clean with the dry cleaning fluid.

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Chocolate

Scrape off excess and absorb. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot with a solution of 2 tablespoons of HOUSEHOLD ammonia per cup of water. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar per 2 cups of water. Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel.

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Coffee / Tea

• Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel. Apply a one-half inch layer of WHITE (no printing) paper towels to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day. Blot with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel. Do not pour directly on the carpet or you will destroy the latex glue holding the primary and secondary backing together. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of white liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar per 2 cups of water.
• If stain is still present, make a pint of very hot water containing 2 ounces of Rit Dye's Color Remover or White Wash (obtainable in most discount and fabric stores). Place a thin dry white towel on the stained area. Pour the hot pint solution directly onto the towel. Keep hot by placing on the wetted area a pan of hot water. Remove after 1/2 hour. NOTE: While rare, this solution can bleach out the carpet dye. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel.

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Cola Drinks

A soft drink spill is usually deep into the backing and wicking which can be a major problem. Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar per 2 cups of water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel. Apply a one-half inch layer of WHITE (no printing) paper towels to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day.

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Grape Juice

• If a heavy spill, apply a one-half inch layer of WHITE (no printing) paper towels to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day. If any stain remains, blot with a solution of 2 tablespoons of HOUSEHOLD ammonia per cup of water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Apply a one-half inch layer of WHITE (no printing) paper towels to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day.
• If stain is still present, make a pint of very hot water containing 2 ounces of Rit Dye's Color Remover or White Wash (obtainable in most discount stores and fabric stores). Place a thin dry towel on the stained area. Pour the hot pint solution directly onto the towel. Keep hot by placing on the wetted area a pan of hot water. Remove after 1/2 hour. NOTE: While rare, this solution can bleach out the carpet dye. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel.

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Grease

Scrape up residue. Blot with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel. Do not pour directly on the carpet or you will destroy the latex glue holding the primary and secondary backing together. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel.

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Ketchup

Scrape up residue. Apply a damp WHITE towel to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day. Scrape up unabsorbed residue. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar per 2 cups of water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel.

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Lipstick

Scrape up residue. Remove all loose material. Blot with an Acetone-based nail polish remover. Blot with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel. Do not pour directly on the carpet or you will destroy the latex glue holding the primary and secondary backing together. Blot with a solution of 2 tablespoons of HOUSEHOLD ammonia per cup of water. Blot with a solution of 1/4 of a cup of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar per 2 cups of water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel. Apply a one-half inch layer of WHITE (no printing) paper towels to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day.

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Milk

If "souring" has occurred, professional treatment or removal of the affected section of the pad will be necessary. Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. If heavy spill, apply a one-half inch layer of WHITE (no printing) paper towels to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day. Blot with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel. Do not pour directly on the carpet or you will destroy the latex glue holding the primary and secondary backing together. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with a solution of 2 tablespoons of HOUSEHOLD ammonia per cup of water. Blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar per 2 cups of water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel.

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Mustard

• Because it contains a disperse dye, mustard is very difficult to totally remove.
• If the carpet is 100% solution dyed olefin (polypropylene), scrape up residue, spray bleach onto the stained area, leave 1 hour, blot with water, dry blot with white towels. CAUTION: Do not get on any other surfaces!
• For other surfaces, scrape off loose material. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar per 2 cups of water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel.

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Nail Polish

CAUTION: Amyl Acetate, Acetone, and most nail polish removers are highly flammable and dissolve acetate fibers. Blot with an Acetone-based nail polish remover. Blot with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel. Do not pour directly on the carpet or you will destroy the latex glue holding the primary and secondary backing together. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot with a solution of 2 tablespoons of HOUSEHOLD ammonia per cup of water.

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Oil

Blot with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel. Do not pour directly on the carpet or you will destroy the latex glue holding the primary and secondary backing together. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with a solution of 2 tablespoons of HOUSEHOLD ammonia per cup of water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel.

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Paint (Latex)

If wet and on surface, blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. Blot with a solution of 1 teaspoon maximum of liquid HAND dish washing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Blot with a solution of 2 tablespoons of HOUSEHOLD ammonia per cup of water. Blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar per 2 cups of water. Apply a one-half inch layer of WHITE (no printing) paper towels to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day.

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Urine

On wool, urine frequently bleaches out the dyes, especially if not immediately treated. Severe cases will require pad replacement in addition to cleaning and deodorizing the backing. Scrape up residue. Blot dry with a dry WHITE absorbent towel. Blot with a WHITE absorbent towel saturated with white vinegar. Apply a WHITE towel saturated with white vinegar to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object and remove the next day.

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