Carpet Stain
Removal
Red
wine. An ice cream sundae. A new puppy. Creamy salad dressing.
A budding pen-and-ink artist. In most circumstances, each of these
items is a source of pleasure. In a close encounter with your
carpet, however, each one can spell disaster.
For
effective carpet stain removal, knowing the correct cleaning agent
to use for each stain will improve your chances of removing it.
Conversely, spotting with the wrong cleaning agent can turn a
spot or spill into a permanent stain. And some stains may be difficult
to impossible to remove, requiring you to consult a carpet stain
removal cleaning expert for options. The cleaning professionals
at ServiceMaster Clean offer these time-proven techniques for
removing carpet stains.
Carpet
Stain Removal - Plan Ahead
It pays
to keep a few common items on hand for carpet stain removal. These
include:
- A white
cloth, for taking out stains
- A mild
mineral spirit solution
- Nonflammable
dry cleaning solvent
- Aerosol
shaving cream, club soda or carbonated water
- Baking
soda, cornstarch, cornmeal or talcum powder
- White vinegar
Carpet
Stain Removal - Speed Counts
Clean up a spill or spot immediately after it occurs. The faster
you treat it, the better your chances of removing it before it
turns into a stain. If it's a liquid spill, blot quickly with
a clean white cloth or towel. Press firmly all around the spill
to absorb as much liquid as possible. Do not rub, as that will
spread the soil.
If the spilled
material or spot is dry, loosen any residue with the dull edge
of a knife or a spatula. Scrape up or vacuum away as much residue
as you can.
Carpet
Stain Removal - The Spotting Process
Using the proper cleaning agent (See Guide Below), follow these
steps:
1. Dampen
a clean, white cloth with the proper cleaning agent for the
specific type of stain.
2. Blot the area gently, working from the outer edge to the
center of the spot. Turn the cloth frequently so you always
use a clean area.
3. Repeat this process until the stain is removed or until it
no longer transfers to your cloth. Be careful not to get the
carpet excessively wet.
4. Rinse the cleaned area thoroughly with water and blot any
excess moisture. If not removed, residue from cleaning products
may attract dirt.
5. Protect the treated area from any traffic. Align the carpet
pile so it dries straight. Dry the carpet by weighing down some
absorbent tissue or dry cloth that will absorb the moisture.
If you prefer, place a fan nearby to circulate air around the
cleaned area.
Carpet
Stain Removal - Pick the Right Cleaning Agent
When using any cleaner, dilute it according to the directions.
A mixture that is too potent can cause damage. Also, pre-test
the surface to be cleaned. Apply the cleaning solution to an inconspicuous
area of the same material. After waiting five minutes, if the
carpet's colour transfers to your cleaning cloth, you'll need
to try another product.
Use this guide
to select the best cleaning agent for your particular type of
stain:
Greasy
Stain Removal (oil, butter, salad dressing)
Use a nonflammable dry cleaning type solvent, following all
product instructions and warnings.
Ink
Stain Removal
Use a nonflammable dry cleaning type solvent, following all
product instructions and warnings.
Light
Greasy Stain Removal
Coat stain with aerosol shaving cream or carbonated water. Speed
dry with a hair dryer and vacuum. You can also sprinkle the
stain with baking soda, cornstarch, cornmeal or talcum powder.
Leave on for at least six hours, then vacuum.
Water-soluble
Stain Removal (soft drinks, fruit juice, alcohol, candy, sugar
and starch, mud)
Mix one teaspoon of mild detergent and one teaspoon of white
vinegar with one litre of water. Dab a clean cloth into the
solution and apply to stain as needed. Place several layers
of white tissues or paper towels over the spot and weigh it
down with books or pots and pans. Let it stand about one hour.
Replace it with fresh tissues or towels and leave overnight.
Then fluff up the carpet pile with your fingers.
Combination
Stain Removal (coffee with cream, gravy, lipstick, ice cream)
Use both the dry cleaning solvent and the wet cleaning agent
for removal of the stain.
Red Wine
Stain Removal
Use club soda to flush the wine from the carpet fibers.
Blood
Stain Removal
Treat fresh spots with a paste of water and cornstarch, cornmeal
or talcum powder. Let it dry and brush it off. Cover fresh or
dried stains with meat tenderizer and add cool water. Sponge
off with cool water after 15 to 30 minutes. Avoid hot water,
which will set the blood.
Pet
Urine Stain Removal
Dilute with cloth dampened with water. Then clean with an acid
solution consisting of one teaspoon white vinegar mixed with
one litre water. Or, apply a pet bacteria/enzyme digester according
to the directions. Saturate the spot, cover with plastic, and
allow it to work as long as indicated.
For more
carpet stain removal assistance, schedule an appointment with
the professionals at ServiceMaster Clean. Or, if you prefer to
do it yourself, order a stain removal kit from your local ServiceMaster
Clean office.
Please
see the locator list above for a representative near you.
