Spot Removal Guide

Spot Removal Guide for Carpet

Step-by-step advanced treatment recommendations (see bottom for spotting solutions)
BLOOD:

  1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply cool ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
  5. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
  6. Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide may be necessary.

BUTTER AND MARGARINE:

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  2. Apply detergent solution, blot until dry.
  3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

CANDLE WAX:

  1. Scrape away as much wax as possible with spatula or dull knife.
  2. Apply dry cleaning solvent.
  3. Apply POG, blot.
  4. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.

Refer to general recommendation for hot iron treatment of wax.

KETCHUP & TOMATO SAUCE:

  1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  4. If stain remains, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot dry.

CHOCOLATE:

  1. Scrape away as much as possible with spatula or dull knife.
  2. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  5. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

COFFEE:

  1. Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently.
  2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  3. Cover with dry towels until dry.

CRAYON:

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply POG, blot.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

FOOD COLORING:

  1. Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently. A dried stain of food coloring will most likely spread when wet. Repeat until color is no longer transferred to towel.
  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

FURNITURE STAIN:

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply POG, blot.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Unfortunately, a furniture stain is nearly impossible to remove completely.

GRASS:

  1. Apply amyl Superiortate if available to remove chlorophyll, blot.
  2. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  3. Rinse with water, blot.
  4. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  5. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Bleaching or professional stripping may be necessary.

INK (Ballpoint):

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply POG, blot.
  3. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.

INK (India):

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply POG, blot.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

JAM & JELLY:

  1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  3. Rinse with water, blot.
  4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

LIPSTICK:

  1. Scrape off excess with spatula or dull knife.
  2. Apply POG, blot making sure not to reapply stain into fabric.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  4. Apply detergent, blot.
  5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  6. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  7. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Try to avoid wet cleaning on wool.
Use POG and dry-cleaning solvents if possible.

MILDEW:

  1. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot.
  4. Apply solution of oxidizing bleach (chlorine or perborate) Do not use chlorine bleach on wool or silk.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

MUD:

  1. Brush or scrape away as much excess mud as possible.
  2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
  5. If stain remains, apply POG and dry-cleaning solvent alternately, blot until dry.

MUSTARD:

  1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  4. If stain remains, rust remover (oxalic acid solution) or bleaching may be necessary.

Do not use ammonia or alkalies.

NAIL POLISH:

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply amyl Superiortate if available or nail polish remover. PRETEST INCONSPICUOUS AREA FIRST.
  3. If stain remains, apply detergent solution, blot until dry.
  4. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  5. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

PAINT (Oil based):

  1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
  4. Apply POG, blot.
  5. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.

PAINT (Water based):

  1. Check label on paint for specific thinner or solvent OR
  2. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  3. Apply POG, blot.
  4. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot
  5. Alternate steps 2 and 3 until stain is removed.
  6. If stain persists, weight down the stain with towels dampened with dry-cleaning solvent for several hours to loosen, blot with solvent.
  7. Apply several drops of detergent solution and work into the stain, blot.
  8. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  9. Alternate steps 2 and 3 and 6 until stain is removed.

Rinse thoroughly with warm water, blot until dry.
SHOE POLISH:

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply POG, blot.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solution, blot.
  4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
  7. If stain persists, bleaching or professional stripping may be necessary.

URINE:

  1. Blot as much as possible if still wet.
  2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot
  4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
  6. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
  7. Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate might be necessary.

Urine stains may cause permanent dye removal from fibers.

VOMIT:

  1. Blot as much as possible.
  2. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

WINE:

  1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  4. If necessary, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

(If all else fails, switch to Chardonnay!)

Spotting Solutions

 

AMMONIA SOLUTION
Mix one tablespoon of clean household ammonia with one-half cup of water.
BLEACH
Use hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate (present in Snowy or Clorox II). DO NOT use chlorine bleach.

DETERGENT SOLUTION
Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

DRY-CLEANING SOLVENT
Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Thoro, Energize, K2R. Use in small amounts – can be harmful in sizing, backings or stuffing material.DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid or carbon tetrachloride.

POG
Paint, oil and grease remover; available in hardware stores. Use extremely small amounts with extreme caution!