Carpet Spot Cleaning Guide
Recommended Stain Removal Procedures
| HOUSEHOLD SPILL AND STAIN CHART |
| Locate your stain on the charts and follow the appropriate cleaning steps. |
Water-based stains
For these stains, start with Step 1. under Cleaning Steps.
If stain remains, proceed with Steps 2. and 3.
| Alcohol |
Cologne |
Liquor |
| Beer |
Fruit Juice |
Milk |
| Blood |
Fruit Punch |
Soft Drinks |
| Catsup/Ketchup |
Graphite |
Soil Spots |
| Chocolate |
Gravy |
Syrup |
| Chocolate Milk |
Ice Cream |
Vomit |
| Clay |
Jelly |
Water Colors |
| Cola |
Latex Paint |
Wine |
Special water-based stains
For these stains, start with Step 1. under Cleaning Steps. If stain remains, proceed with Steps 3. Omit Step 2.
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|
Greasy, oil-based stains
For these stains, use dry cleaning fluid. Follow directions on package. If stain remains, proceed with 1-2-3 cleaning method.
| Butter |
Glue* |
Mayonnaise |
| Calamine lotion |
Grease (Black) |
Nail Polish |
| Cooking Oil |
Gum* |
Ointment |
| Cosmetics |
Hand Cream |
Oil |
| Crayon |
Ink |
Salad Dressing |
| Felt Tip Marker |
Lipstick |
Tar |
| Furniture Dye |
Margarine |
Varnish |
| Furniture Polish |
Mascara |
Wax* |
* Freeze and remove solid materials before cleaning.
Stains from coffee, tea, mustard and all non-food items are excluded from warranty coverage. |
|
DO NOT USE “DO-IT-YOURSELF”
Do-it-yourself rug shampooers or “steam cleaning machines” usually do more harm than good. First, they leave most of the dirt and residue behind. Secondly, the shampooer leaves detergent residue in addition to the soil that was already there! Do-it-yourself, so called “steam” cleaning can cause serious, permanent damage from over wetting.
| CLEANING STEPS |
| Always pre-test in an inconspicuous location for fabric and dye stability and shrinkage. |
Step 1.
- Remove solid materials, work from the outside of the stain to
the center to prevent spreading.
- Blot up liquid spills with a white towel.
- Mix 1/4 teaspoon of non-bleach liquid dish washing detergent with 16oz. of lukewarm water.
- Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
- Pat gently. Tum cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpets.
- Rinse with clear lukewarm water.
- Cover the spot with an absorbant white towel and apply
pressure to blot.
- Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure traces of the fluid have been detergent have been removed.
- If the stain is gone, place white towels over the spot,
and weight towels down with a heavy colorfast object.
Change towels until dry.
- If stain remains, proceed to Step 2.
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Step 2
- Mix 1 tablespoon of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household
ammonia with 1 cup oflukewarm water.
- Do not use on coffee, tea, or urine stains. Go to Step 3.
- Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
- Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to Step 3.
Step 3
- Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water.
- Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step I.
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HELPFUL HINTS
Use Entrance Mats
Place mats inside and outside of your entrances to
trap soil before it can be tracked into your home.
Vacuum Regularly
You can never vacuum too often. Manufacturers
recommend a vacuum with a properly set beater
bar, one which will raise the pile while it removes soil.
Blot Up Stains Immediately
Immediate attention to spills and spots will make
removal easier. Follow stain removal instructions
recommended by the yarn manufacturer.
Clean Periodically
Clean your carpet before it shows traffic patterns.
Soil particles can damage your carpet yarns. Follow
recommended cleaning procedures to prevent
voiding your warranty.
Remember, A spot is not a stain
Achieve DMA