|
Spot and Spill Removal
A good checklist to handle spills should include the following items. Do
not use any household cleaners other than those listed, since many
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.
- An ammonia solution of one tablespoon
of ammonia to one cup of water. Do not use on wool.
- 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.
NOTE: Difficult stains on carpets
made from solution-dyed fibers such as polypropylene may be removed with a
mild bleach solution ( one part chlorine bleach to five parts water).
WARNING: Do not use bleach solution unless you are absolutely
certain your carpet is 100% solution dyed. Carpet dyed by other systems
will be damaged. If in doubt, call 408-448-2016
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
General 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.
|
|
SPECIFIC
STAIN REMOVAL PROCEDURES |
| STAIN |
REMOVAL
PROCEDURE |
| Alcoholic
Beverages |
A |
| Asphalt |
B, PRESTIGE |
| Beer |
A |
| Betadine |
PRESTIGE |
| Berries |
A |
| Blood (wet) |
A |
| Blood (dry) |
A-2 |
| Butter |
B |
| Chewing Gum |
C |
| Chocolate |
A-2 |
| Coffee |
A-1 (D if
necessary) |
| Cola Drinks |
A |
| Cosmetics |
A (D if necessary) |
| Crayon |
B |
| De-icer (Calcium
Chloride) |
Vacuum, A |
| Excrement |
A |
| Food Dyes |
A |
| Furniture Polish |
B, PRESTIGE |
| Glue (white) |
A |
| Gravy |
A |
| Grease (Auto) |
B, PRESTIGE |
| Grease (Food) |
B |
| Ice Cream |
A |
| Ink (Ballpoint) |
B, PRESTIGE |
| Ink (Permanent) |
B, (D if
necessary) |
| Ink (Washable) |
A, PRESTIGE |
| Jelly |
A |
| Lipstick |
B |
| Milk |
A |
| Mud |
A |
| Mustard |
A, (D if
necessary) |
| Nail Polish |
Polish Remover |
| Paint (Latex, wet) |
A |
| Paint (Latex, dry) |
B |
| Paint (Oil) |
B, PRESTIGE |
| Rust |
PRESTIGE |
| Shoe Polish |
B |
| Tea |
A. (D if
necessary) |
| Urine |
A-1, PRESTIGE |
| Vomit |
A-1 |
| Wax |
C |
| Wine |
A-2 |
|
WARNING: Certain products found in most homes can
cause irreparable damage to your carpet. Bleaches, tile
cleaners, mildew removers, oven cleaners, and drain openers
are very strong chemicals that can discolor or dissolve
carpet fibers. Acne medications containing benzoyl peroxide,
a very powerful bleach, are capable of permanently damaging
your carpet and most other fabrics as well. |
|
|
Stain Removal Procedures -
The following recommendations should be used for spot cleaning. The
numbers are keyed to the stain, and all instructions should be used in the
recommended sequence. Some stains are marked PRO, indicating that
professional knowledge and equipment are necessary.
-
Water Soluble Stains
-
Absorb as much as possible with white towels. Blot the stained area with
white towels dampened with cool water until there is no more transfer of
the stain onto the towels.
If any of the stain remains, use the detergent solution previously
described. Spray lightly onto the spot and blot repeatedly with white
towels, working from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to
avoid spreading.
Rinse thoroughly by spraying with clean water, then blot or extract, do
not use too much detergent because the residue will contribute to rapid
re-soiling
A-1. As in A, but before using detergent, apply the white
vinegar solution to a white towel and blot or spray onto spot.
A-2. As in A, but
before using detergent, apply a house-hold ammonia solution to a white
towel and blot or spray onto spot. Do not use on wool or
wool-blend carpet. Rinse as in A.
-
Oil-Based Stains --
Blot as much as possible with white paper towels. Apply the special oil
and grease spot remover to a paper towel and repeat blotting.
(protective gloves should be worn, as the solvent will quickly remove
oils from the skin and could result in irritation.) Do not pour or spray
directly on the carpet pile, as damage to the backing or adhesive
underneath could result; use the towels to transport the solvent to the
carpet. Repeat as often as necessary.
Provide adequate ventilation! Do not use flammable solvents! Follow
with procedures in A.
-
Freeze stains such
as chewing gum and candle wax with ice or a commercially available
product in an aerosol can. Shatter with a blunt object and vacuum before
the chips soften. Follow up with solvent as in B.
-
Bleach --
WARNING -- Only carpets which are solution dyed are resistant to
bleaching, but do not exceed the recommended concentration. DO NOT
USE THIS PROCEDURE UNLESS YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THE CARPET IS
SOLUTION DYED - CARPETS DYED BY OTHER SYSTEMS WILL BE DAMAGED.
Products with olefin and nylon blends can not be exposed to bleach
without removing the color from the nylon fibers unless the nylon
component is solution dyed. If in doubt, call 408-448-2016.
PRESTIGE -- Bill Corridan,
Prestige Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 408-448-2016
|
|
