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How to clean the most common stains on your carpet
Common Carpet Spots…and Solutions
Here are some common carpet spot problems that facility managers and cleaning professionals often encounter and some simple, safe suggestions on how to remove them:
• Alcoholic beverages. Blot the area with a white absorbent towel. After pre-testing an appropriate spotter to ensure carpet safety, apply a small amount to a clean cloth and work from the edges of the spill to the center. Wait a few minutes; if the spot remains, repeat the procedure. Once the spot is removed, rinse the area with cold water and blot dry.
• Blood. If fresh, apply cold water to a cleaning cloth and blot the area. If dry, the area may need to be brushed to remove surface soils. Then, blood can often be removed simply by mixing one-quarter teaspoon of dishwashing detergent with two cups of water and blotting the area. If this does not work, a spotter specifically designed to remove blood spots will be necessary.
• Coffee/cola. Apply cold water to a cleaning cloth and blot the area. Next, mix ¼ teaspoon dishwashing detergent with a cup of lukewarm water and apply to the spot; allow to dry. To rinse, apply lukewarm water to a fresh cloth and blot the area. If the spot persists, repeat the process or consider a spot-removing kit designed to remove coffee/cola stains.
• Cosmetics. Apply ¼ teaspoon dish detergent to cup of water on a clean cloth and blot the area. If the spot remains, a solvent may be necessary. Select a nonflammable spot-removing solution or a dry cleaning-type solvent, which is preferable.
• Candle. Scrape the area first to remove any dry wax. Many times, placing a paper bag over the candle wax and ironing with a warm iron will cause the wax to transfer into the bag. Otherwise, specific solvents are available to help remove candle spots. Always apply the solvent to a cleaning cloth and not directly to the spot to prevent carpet damage. If the candle is dyed, the dye may permanently stain the carpet.*
The techniques suggested here are relatively easy to perform. However, when a solvent or chemical agent is necessary, always follow all manufacturers’ directions. When problems persist, call in a professional carpet cleaner. This person will likely have advanced training on carpet spotting and a full arsenal of stain- and spot-removing products.
• Blood. If fresh, apply cold water to a cleaning cloth and blot the area. If dry, the area may need to be brushed to remove surface soils. Then, blood can often be removed simply by mixing one-quarter teaspoon of dishwashing detergent with two cups of water and blotting the area. If this does not work, a spotter specifically designed to remove blood spots will be necessary.
• Coffee/cola. Apply cold water to a cleaning cloth and blot the area. Next, mix ¼ teaspoon dishwashing detergent with a cup of lukewarm water and apply to the spot; allow to dry. To rinse, apply lukewarm water to a fresh cloth and blot the area. If the spot persists, repeat the process or consider a spot-removing kit designed to remove coffee/cola stains.
• Cosmetics. Apply ¼ teaspoon dish detergent to cup of water on a clean cloth and blot the area. If the spot remains, a solvent may be necessary. Select a nonflammable spot-removing solution or a dry cleaning-type solvent, which is preferable.
• Candle. Scrape the area first to remove any dry wax. Many times, placing a paper bag over the candle wax and ironing with a warm iron will cause the wax to transfer into the bag. Otherwise, specific solvents are available to help remove candle spots. Always apply the solvent to a cleaning cloth and not directly to the spot to prevent carpet damage. If the candle is dyed, the dye may permanently stain the carpet.*
The techniques suggested here are relatively easy to perform. However, when a solvent or chemical agent is necessary, always follow all manufacturers’ directions. When problems persist, call in a professional carpet cleaner. This person will likely have advanced training on carpet spotting and a full arsenal of stain- and spot-removing products.
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