Spot Extraction Tips for Carpets and Rugs

HomeHome Improvement

  • Author John Newcome
  • Published September 20, 2012
  • Word count 1,047

Maintaining a spot free carpet is much easier if its been treated by using a high quality fabric protector. No carpet however, is stain proof. Many conditions can result in permanent discoloration of the carpet fiber. Among these are the color in some food and beverages, bleaches, acids, caustic compounds found in every day household cleaning items. Pet urine and even household dust (particularly dust filtration stains along walls) can, in the long run, permanently stain your carpet.

For best results, rapid treatment to spots and spills is often the difference between spots effortlessly eliminated and permanent stains. If your carpet has been treated with a protective fiber treatment, it ought to respond effectively to straightforward spot cleaning treatments. You'll be amazed at how easy spot removal may be when you closely follow the simple procedures outlined here in this spot removal guide.

Stain Removal Solutions:

AMMONIA-1 Tablespoon clear household ammonia in 1/2 cup water. Always pre-test.

DETERGENT-1-2 drops of colorless, mild detergent or dish washing liquid in 1 cup warm water

ENZYME DETERGENT-Mix enzyme detergent per instructions on package and allow to remain on stain for recommended time. Do not over wet.

CAUTION: Enzymes are able to harm natural fibers, like wool. Use with caution or call us.

VINEGAR-1 / 3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water.

Coffee and Tea

Coffee and tea stains look brownish having irregular edges. They can consist of tannins, sugars, fatty acids, alcohols, oils, milk, and cream. Such stains darken with heat and age.

  1. Administer detergent solution, blot. (Enzyme detergent may be required if a dairy product was mixed in)

  2. Administer vinegar solution, blot.

  3. Administer enzyme detergent, blot.

  4. Administer pressure to the spot with a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting solution deep in to the stain. DO NOT SCRUB as this may lead to nap distortion of the fiber.

  5. Rinse completely with water, blot until dry.

Soft Drinks

Soft drinks may cause stains that can be colorless, yellowish, reddish, brownish, which darken with age. They consist of sugar, tannin, vegetable coloring, flavoring, and fruit concentrates.

  1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot

  2. Administer ammonia solution, blot.

  3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.

  4. Administer pressure to the spot using a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting solution deep inside the stain. DO NOT SCRUB as this may lead to nap distortion of the fiber.

  5. Rinse using water, blot until dry.

Red Wine

Red wine spills result in an absorbed type of stain which is reddish or purplish in color and comprises alcohol, sugar, tannin and a variety of coloring agents.

  1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.

  2. Administer ammonia solution, blot.

  3. Administer vinegar solution, blot.

  4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.

  5. Rinse totally with water, blot until dry

  6. Apply dry cleaning solvent, blot

Mud and Soil

Mud and soil are grayish, yellowish, reddish, or brownish. They are absorbed and built-up types of stains that can consist of soil with greases and oils, in addition to clay and iron.

  1. Brush or scrape off as much as practical.

  2. Apply detergent solution, blot.

  3. Administer ammonia solution, blot.

  4. Administer vinegar solution, blot.

  5. Apply pressure to the spot using a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting solution deep into the stain. DO NOT RUB as this may lead to nap distortion of the fiber.

  6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot till dry.

  7. If stain remains, apply a "paint oil and grease" cleaner and dry cleaning solvent alternatively, blot until dry.

Chocolate

Chocolate results in a built up or absorbed stain which is brown colored with uneven edges. It can contain oil, grease, cocoa, butter, coloring, sugar, and dairy products.

  1. Scrape off as much as possible using a spatula or blunt edge knife.

  2. Administer cool detergent solution, blot.

  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.

  4. Administer vinegar solution, blot.

  5. Rinse completely with water, blot until dry.

Plant Food Stains

Most plant foods contain chemicals that are able to harm the color of your carpet.

  1. Remove up as much as possible.

  2. Blot up remaining with a clean white cloth.

  3. Apply warm detergent solution, blot.

  4. Apply pressure to the spot by using a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting solution deep in to the stain. DO NOT SCRUB as this can cause nap distortion of the fiber.

  5. Rinse out with water, blot dry.

  6. If stain persists, administer dry cleaning solvent, blot.

Cosmetics

Cosmetics can involve makeup, mascara, lipsticks, lotions and creams. Primarily they are pigments in dyes, fats, waxes and oils.

  1. Scrap away excess (using a dull edge tool) and apply "paint, oil and grease" cleaner, blot

  2. Apply dry cleaning solvent, blot.

  3. Apply detergent solution, blot.

  4. Administer ammonia solution, blot.

  5. Apply vinegar solution, blot.

  6. Administer pressure to the spot by using a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting mix deep inside the stain. DO NOT SCRUB as this may lead to nap distortion of the fiber.

  7. Rinse out by using water, blot until dry.

Ketchup and Tomato Sauces

Ketchup (catsup) and other tomato sauces are reddish brown and cause both absorbed as well as built up types of stains. They commonly include tomatoes, salt, sugar, spices, tannin, vinegar, onions, artificial coloring, preservatives, etc.

  1. Administer cool detergent solution, blot.

  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.

  3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.

  4. If stain remains, bleaching by using 3-5 % hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate is recommended-proceed with extreme caution.

  5. Administer pressure to the spot with a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting mix deep in to the stain. DO NOT SCRUB as this may result in nap distortion of the fiber.

  6. Rinse out entirely with water, blot until dry.

Pet Soil and Vomit

Pet soil and vomit is a combination of foodstuffs, saliva, stomach acids digestive waste products. At times, this mixture can stain the pile of the carpet or leave a persistent odor. Follow the techniques below to cleanup the stain.

  1. Immediately pick up/blot up as much material as possible making use of paper towels or a clean, white cloth. A tablespoon makes a practical scraper if required.

  2. Administer vinegar solution, blot.

  3. Apply detergent solution, blot.

  4. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting solution deep into the stain. DO NOT RUB as this can lead to nap distortion of the fiber.

  5. Rinse completely with cool, clean water, blot until dry.

SaniCare Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning are experts when it comes to Carpet Cleaning in Albuquerque. visit this website at test.sanicareclean.com/.

Article source: https://articlebiz.com
This article has been viewed 983 times.

Rate article

Article comments

There are no posted comments.

Related articles