Before you begin:
- Always work on the spill immediately, do not allow material to sit and work into carpet
- Always blot the stain, do not rub vigorously
- Work from the outside in, do not spread the stain
- A small wet/dry vac can be a great help on larger spills
Water Soluble Stains:
Alcoholic beverages, cola, food dyes, gravy, ice cream, ink, jelly, latex paint, milk,
Make a solution of ¼ teaspoon of non-bleach fabric detergent per quart of cold water, this can be spiked with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Work on spot per instructions above.
Tough Water Soluble Stains (synthetic carpet only…not wool)
Blood, chocolate, coffee, mustard, tea, vomit, wine
Make a cleaning solution of 4 tablespoons of ammonia per quart of cold water. Work on the spot per instructions above.
Glue
Use a clean cotton rag moistened with rubbing alcohol and carefully blot
Wax, Oil, Fat
Use a clean cotton rag or several paper towels, place over the spot and place an iron on warm setting on the rag. The heat should draw the material into the rag. Obviously, do not let the iron touch the carpet fibers.
Gum
Use ice to freeze the gum, then strike with a dull butter knife to break up the gum.
Sometimes stains require a professional carpet cleaner. In Joplin MO, Carthage, Neosho and the Southwest Missouri area Call Crystal Clean Carpets when your stains go beyond home remedies. 417-291-1172
