Services - Spot Removal Steps

Spot Removal Guide for Carpet

BLOOD STAIN:

  1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply cool ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
  5. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
  6. Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide may be necessary.
BUTTER AND MARGARINE STAIN:
  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  2. Apply detergent solution, blot until dry.
  3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
CANDLE WAX STAIN:
  1. Scrape away as much wax as possible with spatula or dull knife.
  2. Apply dry cleaning solvent.
  3. Apply Paint, oil and grease remover, blot.
  4. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
KETCHUP & TOMATO SAUCE STAIN:
  1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  4. If stain remains, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot dry.
CHOCOLATE STAIN:
  1. Scrape away as much as possible with spatol type="number"a or dol type="number"l knife.
  2. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  5. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
COFFEE STAIN:
  1. Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently.
  2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  3. Cover with dry towels until dry.
CRAYON STAIN:
  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply Paint, oil and grease remover, blot.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
FOOD COLORING:
  1. Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently. A dried stain of food coloring will most likely spread when wet. Repeat until color is no longer transferred to towel.
  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
FURNITURE STAIN:
  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply Paint, oil and grease remover, blot.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

    6. Unfortunately, a furniture stain is nearly impossible to remove completely.

GRASS STAIN:
  1. Apply amyl acetate if available to remove chlorophyll, blot.
  2. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  3. Rinse with water, blot.
  4. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  5. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

    7. Bleaching or professional stripping may be necessary.

INK STAIN (Ballpoint):
  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply Paint, oil and grease remover, blot.
  3. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
INK:
  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply Paint, oil and grease remover, blot.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
JAM & JELLY STAIN:
  1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  3. Rinse with water, blot.
  4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
LIPSTICK STAIN:
  1. Scrape off excess with spatula or dull knife.
  2. Apply Paint, oil and grease remover, blot making sure not to reapply stain into fabric.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  4. Apply detergent, blot.
  5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  6. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  7. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

    8. Try to avoid wet cleaning on wool.
    Use Paint, oil and grease remover and dry-cleaning solvents as long as possible.

MILDEW STAIN:
  1. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot.
  4. Apply solution of oxidizing bleach Do not use chlorine bleach on wool or silk.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
MUD:
  1. Brush or scrape away as much excess mud as possible.
  2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
  5. If stain remains, apply POG and dry-cleaning solvent alternately, blot until dry.
MUSTARD STAIN:
  1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  4. If stain remains, rust remover (Oxalic acid solution) or bleaching may be necessary.
NAIL POLISH STAIN:
  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply amyl acetate if available or nail polish remover -PRETEST INCONSPICUOUS AREA FIRST.
  3. If stain remains, apply detergent solution, blot until dry.
  4. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  5. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
PAINT (Oil based) STAIN:
  1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
  4. Apply POG, blot.
  5. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
PAINT (Water based) STAIN:
  1. Check label on paint or specific thinner or solvent OR
  2. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  3. Apply POG, blot.
  4. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot
  5. Alternate steps 2 and 3 until stain is removed.
  6. If stain persists, weight down the stain with towels dampened with dry-cleaning for several hours to loosen, blot with solvent.
  7. Apply several drops of detergent solution and work into the stain, blot.
  8. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  9. Alternate steps 2 and 3 and 6 until stain is removed.

    10. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, blot until dry.

SHOE POLISH STAIN:
  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply POG, blot.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solution, blot.
  4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
  7. If stain persists, bleaching or professional stripping may be necessary.
URINE STAIN:
  1. Blot as much as possible if still wet.
  2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot
  4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
  6. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
  7. Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate might be necessary.

    8. Urine stains may cause permanent dye removal from fibers.

VOMIT STAIN:
  1. Blot as much as possible.
  2. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
WINE STAIN:
  1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  4. If necessary, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

    5. (If all else fails, switch to Chardonnay)!!

Spotting Solutions

AMMONIA SOLUTION

  • Mix one tablespoon of clean household ammonia with one-half cup of water.
BLEACH
  • Use hydrogen peroxide or sodium per borate (present in Snowy or Clorox II).

    • DO NOT use chlorine bleach.

DETERGENT SOLUTION
  • Mix one teaspoon full type="number" of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.
DRY-CLEANING SOLVENT
  • Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as thoro, Carbona, Energize, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful type="number" in sizing, backings or stuffing material.

    • DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid or carbon tetrachloride.

    Paint, oil and grease remover; available in hardware stores. Use extremely small amounts with extreme caution!