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Carpet Spot-cleaning Methods
- Cleaning method No. 1: Foodstuff, starches, sugars
Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a clean absorbent towel and scraping up solids with the dull edge of a knife. Sponge lightly with cool water and blot several times. Apply diluted carpet shampoo (1 part liquid carpet shampoo to 4 parts water) with a brush or towel. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary. - Cleaning method No. 2: Oily materials and grease
Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a clean absorbent towel and scraping up solids with the dull edge of a knife. Apply a spot cleaner or dry cleaning solvent according to the product directions. (Some spot cleaners dry to a powder. If this type is used, vacuum before continuing.) Apply carpet shampoo (diluted 1 part liquid carpet shampoo to 4 parts water) with a brush or towel. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary. - Cleaning method No. 3: Alcohol base antiseptics and perfume
Blot up liquids with a clean absorbent towel and scrape up solids with the dull edge of a knife. Sponge with alcohol (or a solution of alcohol and water) and blot quickly. Repeat several times until no more stain is absorbed into the towel. Apply diluted carpet shampoo (1 part liquid carpet shampoo to 4 parts water) with a brush or towel. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary. - Cleaning method No. 4: Special treatments
Be sure to pretest all solvents in an inconspicuous place.- Cigarette burns: For light burns, brush area lightly then carefully clip away charred part of tufts. Shampoo. Places having severe burns will need repair or replacement.
- Glue, model: After removing excess, carefully apply nail polish remover, drop by drop, to soften glue. Scrape or blot away. Then shampoo. Let dry and vacuum. Pretest nail polish remover in an inconspicuous place. Do not use on acrylic fibers.
- Gum: After removing as much as possible by scraping, "freeze" the residue with ice cubes in a plastic bag. Break or scrape off brittle gum. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum.
- Mildew: Mildew is best treated by prevention. Use a dehumidifier to help control moisture. A professional carpet cleaner may be able to give you advice about commercial products you can apply to the carpet backing that will help prevent mildew.
- Mud: Scrape up as much mud as possible and allow residue to dry completely. Vacuum well, then shampoo. Let area dry and vacuum again.
- Nail polish: After removing excess, apply nail polish remover, drop by drop, to soften. Then blot or scrape away. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum. Pretest nail polish remover in an inconspicuous place. Do not use on acrylic fibers.
- Paint, oil base, wet: After removing excess paint, carefully apply turpentine or paint thinner and blot repeatedly. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum.
- Urine: Blot up excess with clean towel. Sponge with cool water and blot, then sponge with white vinegar and blot well. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum.
- Water: For severe wetting, mop or blot as much as possible. Dry carpet quickly to prevent rot or mildew. Once dry, shampoo lightly, let dry, then vacuum. If the carpet is very wet, it may be necessary to take up the carpet and padding from the floor. Floor fans and dehumidifiers may be used to assist in drying the carpet and pad. It may be necessary to have the carpet relaid.
- Wax, candle: Remove excess by scraping. Cover with several layers of paper toweling and press lightly with a warm (not hot) iron until all wax is removed. Be careful not to melt fibers with iron. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum. Some colors, particularly red, may leave a dye stain that is difficult or impossible to remove.
- Unidentified stains: Remove excess. Mop or blot liquids with several layers of paper toweling to absorb as much as possible. Remove semi-solid material by scraping with the dull edge of a knife. Apply a dry-cleaning fluid, blot gently and work from the stain edges to the center. Apply a detergent solution. Use a clean cloth and blot gently, working from the outer to inner area of the stain. Dry the carpet. Apply a dry cleaning fluid; work from outer to inner edge of stain and blot gently. Dry the carpet and brush gently to restore the pile.
- Cleaning method No. 5
Contact a commercial carpet and rug cleaner for advice.
| Cleaning methods for specific stains | |
|---|---|
| Source of stain | Cleaning method |
Alcohol, beer, mixed drinks |
1 |
Blood |
1 |
Butter, margarine |
1 |
Candy, not chocolate |
1 |
Catsup, tomato juice |
1 |
Chewing gum |
4 |
Chocolate, cocoa |
1 |
Cigarette burns |
4 |
Coffee, black, with cream or with sugar |
1 |
Correction fluid |
2, 5 |
Cosmetics |
2 |
Egg |
1 |
Fruit juice, berries |
1 |
Grease |
2 |
Glue, household |
1 |
Glue |
4 |
Gravy |
1, 2 |
Gum |
4 |
Ink, water soluble |
1 |
Ink, non-water soluble |
2, 5 |
Ink, ballpoint |
2 |
Iodine |
5 |
Lipstick |
2 |
Mercurochrome |
3 |
Mildew |
1, 5 |
Milk, ice cream |
1 |
Mud |
4 |
Mustard |
4 |
Nail polish |
4 |
Oils, clear vegetable |
1 |
Oil, machine, mineral |
2 |
Paint, waterbase, wet |
4 |
Paint, dry |
5 |
Peanut butter |
1 |
Perfume |
3 |
Rust |
3 |
Sauces, salad dressing |
1 |
Shoe polish |
2 |
Soft drinks |
1 |
Sugar, jelly, jam, syrup |
1, 2 |
Tar, asphalt |
2 |
Tea |
1 |
Toothpaste |
1 |
Urine |
4 |
Vomit |
1 |
Water |
4 |
Wax candle |
4 |
Wax, car, floor, furniture |
2 |
Wine |
1 |