Remove Any Carpet Stains - Solutions for more than 35 stains

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Remove Any Carpet Stains - Solutions for more than 35 stains

Eric Wilson • Apr 03, 2023

Scrape off any excess solids with a spoon or a butter knife as soon as possible so your cleanable spill doesn't turn into a permanent stain.

Use a clean, white, absorbent cloth and blot the stain (blot, never rub) from the outside in. Repeat until the stain no longer transfers to the cloth. A trick to thoroughly dry the treated area is to cover the damp area with a thick layer of cloth or paper towels (a half inch or so). Place a heavy object(s) on to of the cloths to weigh them down. Change until dry.

For detailed and effective spot removal, use the following key for solutions to a variety of staining substances. Used in the sequence recommended.

1. Key:

2. Cold Water

3. Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.

4. Ammonia Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia (3% solution) with 1/2 cup of water.

5. Solvent: A dry cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores).

6. Ice: Chill with ice cubes in a plastic bag. Shatter residue, pick or scrape off and vacuum.

7. Vinegar Solution: Mix 1/3 cup of white vinegar with 2/3 cup of water.

8. Warm Water (not hot)

9. Clear nail polish remover (preferably acetone)

10. Alcohol or Methylated Spirits Mineral Turpentine

11. Rust Remover

12. Absorbent Powder (e.g., salt, talc, or proprietary absorbent powders)

13. Absorbent Cleaners (e.g., Host)

Types of Stains and treatment for each

Alcoholic Beverages: 1,2

First use Cold Water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Bleach: 1,3

First use Cold Water. Then use Ammonia Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia (3% solution) with 1/2 cup of water.

Blood: 1,2

First use Cold Water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Butter: 4,2

Start with a dry cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores). Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Candle Wax: 5,4

Chill with ice cubes in a plastic bag. Shatter residue, pick or scrape off and vacuum. Then use a dry cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores).

Chewing Gum: 5,4

Chill with ice cubes in a plastic bag. Shatter residue, pick or scrape off and vacuum. Then use a dry cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores).

Chocolate: 2,3,6

Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water. Then use an Ammonia Solution. Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia (3% solution) with 1/2 cup of water. Then use a Vinegar Solution: Mix 1/3 cup of white vinegar with 2/3 cup of water.

Coffee: 1,2,4

First use Cold Water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water. Then use a dry cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores).

Colas & Soft Drinks: 7,2

Start with warm water, not hot water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Cooking Oils: 4,2

Start with a dry-cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores). Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Cream: 2,4

Start with a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water. Then use a dry-cleaning solvent

Egg: 2

Use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Felt Tip Pen: 7,2,8

Start with warm water, not hot water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water. Then use Clear nail polish remover. Use acetone if possible.

Floor Wax: 4

Start with a dry cleaning solvent.

Fruit Juice: 1,2

First use Cold Water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Furniture Polish: 4,2,3

Start with a dry cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores). Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water. Then use an Ammonia Solution. Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia (3% solution) with 1/2 cup of water.

Gravy & Sauces: 7,2

Start with warm water, not hot water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Ink (fountain pen): 1,2

First use Cold Water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Ink (ball point): 4,9,2

Start with a dry cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores). Then use Alcohol or Methylated Spirits Mineral Turpentine.Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Ketchup: 7,2

Start with warm water, not hot water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Lipstick: 4,2

Start with a dry cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores). Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Mercurochrome: 2,3,6

Milk: 7,4,2

Start with warm water, not hot water. Then use a dry cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Mustard: 2

Use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Nail Polish:

Always let harden before attempting removal which can take up to 24 hours for a large drip or spill. After drying use a blunt scraper (back of a knife works well) and you should be able to scrape off the most if not all of the polish, then do the following steps: 8,4

Oil & Grease: 4,2

Start with a dry cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores). Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Paint (latex): 2,3,4

Paint (oil): 9,4,2

Start with Alcohol or Methylated Spirits Mineral Turpentine. Then use a dry cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores). Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Rust: 4,2,10

Salad Dressing: 2,4

Use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water. Then use a dry cleaning solvent

Shoe Polish: 4,2

Start with a dry cleaning solvent (available at hardware stores). Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Soot: 4,2,3

Tar: 4

Use a dry cleaning solvent

Tea: 1,2,4

First use Cold Water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water. Then use a dry cleaning solvent.

Urine (fresh): 1,2

First use Cold Water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Urine (old): 2,3,6

Use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water. Then use an Ammonia Solution. Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia (3% solution) with 1/2 cup of water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Vomit: 2

Use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

Wine: 11,1,2

Start with Absorbent Powder (e.g., salt, talc, or proprietary absorbent powders). Then use Cold Water. Then use a Detergent Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm water, not hot water.

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