Flooring Stain Removal Guide

We've all been frustrated by that impossible grass or red wine carpet stain. Now you can let our years of carpet know-how and proven stain removal methods help you take care of that impossible stain once and for all.

QUICK CARPET CLEANING TIPS:

Spillages are more easily removed if tackled immediately, so act promptly and blot off all the liquid stain with dry kitchen roll or a clean dry white cloth.
Semi solid substances should be removed with a plastic spatula.
For stain removal, don't rub the pile surface of your carpet or over soak the stain.
To clean off any remaining carpet stain use a clean damp cloth soaked in warm water to blot the stain. Use a dabbing action with the cloth and then blot out the remaining liquid with dry kitchen towel.
Always work from the outside of the stain inwards to minimise the stain spreading.
Clean most frequently used areas more often – entrances, doorways, traffic lanes, seating areas, etc. will collect dirt much faster than other areas.

STAIN REMOVAL GUIDE:

Here are some tricks of the trade that can help keep your carpet looking new. Just choose the appropriate carpet stain and follow the cleaning procedure.

Reminder: Always follow up with water to remove detergent residue that may become sticky and cause rapid resoiling.

Note: Consult your carpet’s stain warranty before using a chemical cleaner on your carpet to ensure it will not void the warranty.

STAIN	PROCEDURE	STAIN	PROCEDURE
Beer	B	Ink-India, Marking Pen	A, F
Berries	F	Lemonade	F
Blood	F	Makeup	A, B
Butter	A	Mayonnaise	B
Candle Wax	G, A	Mercurochrome	F
Candy (sugar)	B	Merthiolate	F
Catsup	F	Milk	B
Chewing Gum	D, A	Mixed Drinks (liquors)	F
Chocolate	B	Mud (dried)	H, B
Chalk	H	Mustard	F
Coffee	F	Nail Polish	E
Cooking Oil	A, B	Paint – Latex	B
Crayon	A, B	Paint – Oil	A
Dirt or Clay	H, B	Pet Food	F
Dyes (Blue, Black, etc.)	F	Powdered Juice	F
Excrement	B	Shoe Polish	A, F
Fruit Juice/Drinks	F	Soft Drinks	B
Furniture Polish	A	Tar	A
Grease – Food	A, B	Tea	F
Grease – Auto	A	Urine	C, F
Glue – White	B	Vomit	B , F
Glue – Hobby	A, E	Wine	B , F
Ice Cream	B	Unknown	A, B
Ink – Ball Point Pen	A

CLEANING SOLUTIONS

Detergent:

Mix ¼ teaspoon clear hand dish-washing detergent with 1 cup warm, not hot, water. Use a clear, non-bleach liquid dishwashing detergent such as Dawn, Joy or clear Ivory.

Hydrogen Peroxide/Ammonia:

Mix ½ cup hydrogen peroxide (3% solution available in drug stores) with one teaspoon undiluted, unscented, clear (non-sudsy) household ammonia. Use within two hours of mixing.

Vinegar:

1 part white vinegar to 1 part water

Ammonia:

One tablespoon to one cup water

Solvent:

Liquid, non-oily, non-caustic type sold for spot removal from garments. Use products for grease, oil and tar removal such as Carbona and Afta. Do not apply directly to carpet to prevent carpet damage. (see Procedure A for details)

STAIN REMOVAL PROCEDURES

Procedure A:

Apply solvent to dry towel/cloth. Blot, don’t rub. Repeat application as above. Blot, don’t rub. Follow with Procedure B.

Procedure B:

Scrape or blot up excess spill. Apply detergent (see “Cleaning Solutions”), use damp towel. Blot, don’t rub. Apply water with damp towel. Blot; finish with weighted pad of towels.

Procedure C:

Scrape or blot up excess spill. Apply detergent (see “Cleaning Solutions”), use damp towel. Blot, don’t rub. Apply ammonia (see “Cleaning Solutions”), use damp towel. Blot, don’t rub. Apply white vinegar (undiluted), only after stain is removed. Apply water rinse with a damp towel. Blot; finish with weighted pad of towels.

Procedure D:

Scrape or blot up excess spill. Freeze with ice cubes. Shatter with blunt object such as back of spoon. Remove chips before they melt.

Procedure E:

Apply solvent remover (non-oily acetone type) to a white, cotton town and apply to spill. Do not saturate carpet. Pick up softened material using a clean, white paper towel, push toward center of the spot (to avoid spreading the material). Repeat above, soften and carefully remove a layer of the material each time. Hast may spread the stain and/or damage the carpet. Follow with Procedure B.

Procedure F:

Apply detergent solution (see “Cleaning Solutions”) to a white towel, leave 3-5 minutes. Blot, don’t rub. If stain is removed, finish with a water rinse, then blot, and then apply a pad of weighted paper towels. If stain is not removed, continue as follows: Apply hydrogen peroxide solution (see “Cleaning Solutions”), let stand 2-3 hours under a weighted sheet of plastic wrap. Repeat application of hydrogen peroxide and allow to dry until removal is complete. Apply white vinegar only after stain is removed. Apply water with damp towel. Blot and dry with weighted pad of paper towels.

Procedure G:

Scrape off excess material. Cover with white cotton towel or brown paper. Lightly apply warm iron to towel or paper until material is absorbed. Be sure towel is large enough to cover the stained area. Never touch the iron directly onto the carpet, as the fibre may melt! Change towel or rotate same towel to a clean area and repeat until all material is absorbed.

Procedure H:

Vacuum as much as possible. Loosen remaining material by tapping with a scrub brush or toothbrush. Tap with brush, do not scrub. Vacuum again. Follow with Procedure B.