Carpet Spot and Stain Removal

In this article we will help you tackle some common spills and spots that often can become stains.

Remember, as discussed in part 1, staining occurs when a foreign substance penetrates your carpets fibers, damaging them and changing their appearance. Some spills are more likely to stain than others and the likelihood is influenced by the type of carpet fiber involved. Keep in mind that how quickly you act after a spill may determine your success!

Accidents happen, and as the Boy Scouts say: "Be prepared"! Make the following items handy for quick retrieval. You will need some white absorbent cloth (terry towels are great) and the four basic solutions listed below. Please note and check that your carpet is color fast and safe to clean by testing all solutions in an inconspicuous area before you apply any cleaning solution to your carpet.

Cleaning Solutions:

Detergent solution (Alkaline) - 1 teaspoon of gentle detergent and half a pint of warm water.

Detergent & Vinegar solution (Neutral) - Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to the detergent solution.

Vinegar solution (Acidic) - 1/4 cup vinegar and half a pint of warm water.

Ammonia solution (Alkaline) - 1 teaspoon of branded household ammonia to 1 cup of warm water.

Solvent solution (No Ph) - We recommend Goo Gone citrus solvent.

Kool-aid and dye stain remover - Yes, its possible!

You may have hired a professional carpet cleaner and seen him remove kool-aid by pulling out a bottle of some no doubt expensive stain remover and applying an iron. Well, you don't necessarily need to buy the pricey professional products to remove red stains. With special care and a common store bought product you can remove them too! While not as effective as a professionally formulated stain remover, undiluted Parsons Ammonia All-Purpose Cleaner can remove many synthetic dye stains.

How to use it: After rinsing the spill apply the ammonia liberally with a spray bottle. Take a clean terry towel and soak it with water, only slightly ringing excess water out. Place moistened towel on stain by folding it in half and place steam iron, set to steam, on towel and allow the iron to heat the ammonia. Check every 1-2 minutes by moving towel and iron to see how treatment is working. If the spot is removable you should see a change within 4 minutes. Be careful to keep towel wet to protect your carpet from melting. Do not leave the iron unattended or on the spot for longer than 5 minutes. There is the possibility of losing some of the carpets original color if heat is applied for too long.

CAUTION!

We DO NOT recommend using household bleach to remove carpet stains, EVER! Not only can you damage your carpets but mixing bleach with certain chemicals can create dangerous gases and is potentially explosive.

Now we will discuss specific spills and spots and how to tackle them:

Most water based substances have a PH: a scale which measures the balance of alkalinity and acidity. Generally, when you counter the Ph of a spot, it is more easily removed. For instance, many soft drinks have a low Ph, which means it is acidic. By applying a cleaning solution with a high Ph (alkaline) you bring the ph of the soda closer to neutral (neither acid nor alkaline).

Removing the Spill:

Foods and Beverages

Beer, Coffee, Candy, Cocktails, Soft Drinks, Ice Cream, Fruit Juice, Wine, Mustard, Catsup, Grass, Chocolate, Tea, Sugar Based Spills, Tannin Based Spills, Most any other Food and Drink.

Apply Detergent & Vinegar solution and blot. Follow directions for dye stains if color remains. If stain does not come out it may require a professional oxidizing stain remover.

Organic Spots

Blood, Eggs, Milk, Feces, Vomit, Gravy and Remnants from some Food and Beverage Spots.

Apply Detergent solution to spot rinse with water and blot dry. Follow directions for dye stains if color remains. Rinse with water and dry. If stain does not come out it may require professional oxidizing stain remover.

Petroleum/oil based Spots

Adhesives, Nail Polish, Tar, Lipstick, Grease, Inks, Crayon, Asphalt, Varnish, Paint, Oil, Rubber Cement

Apply Goo Gone. Rinse with water and blot dry. Repeat if necessary.

Synthetic (man made) dyes

Food Color, Remnants from Other Spots, Medicines

Apply Detergent & Vinegar solution gently agitate. Rinse with water and blot. Follow directions for dye stains if color remains. Rinse with water and dry.

Rust Spots

Spray white vinegar on the spot let the vinegar remain on the spot for about 30 minutes. Then rinse and dry spot. Repeat if any rust remains.

Urine Spots

Urine stains are some of the more difficult to remove. The best chance of removal comes within 24 hours of contamination. If the spots are recent (24 hrs) apply Detergent solution. Rinse with water and blot dry. After 24 hours apply Vinegar solution rinse with water and dry. If stain does not come out it may require professional oxidizing stain remover. Another effective method of treating urine that the homeowner can utilize is using an enzyme based product such as Natures Miracle. However, heavy urine deposits will soak through carpet into the pad and may require professional attention.

Blood

Apply Ammonia solution (cold water only) to cloth. Blot up, working from the outer edge of spot inwards. See below for final rinse procedure. If stain cannot be removed with this method follow up with treatment for rust spots.

Unknown stains

Remove excess residue. Use Solvent solution followed by clear warm water, blot dry. If additional treatment is needed, use detergent or detergent vinegar solution and dry.

General tips

Remember to dab rather than rub, dont soak the carpet and although you might not completely remove the stains they may still be removed by a professional cleaning company.

Xtreme Clean Carpet Care provides carpet cleaning services, special stain treatment, pet damage assessment and repair. Upholstery cleaning, tile and grout cleaning to a large segment of the Puget Sound Region of western Washington, including: Tacoma, Puyallup, Federal Way, Olympia and surrounding communities. Carpet Cleaning Puyallup Wa

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