The below instructions will help you treat your carpet for most spots and carpet spills. It is important to regularly vacuum your carpet as well as regular steam cleaning. If in doubt about a stain or spill it is best to consult a professional carpet cleaning technician. The list is by no means a full list of every liquid that you may spill, but is good carpet cleaning treatment guide.
STEP 1- Scoop up solids and blot up as much spill as possible. Use highly absorbent paper towel, absorbent rag or white towel.
STEP 2– Treatment of the spot. Please refer to the table below “Spot Removal Guide” for the spot and treatment method.
STEP 3- Rinse the spot using cold or warm water.
STEP 4- Dry the area with clean dry towel, cloth or paper towel. If still wet use a fan to assist with the drying process.
Spot Removal Guide
| Spot or Stain Type | Treatment Steps- 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | 1 | 2 | |
| Bleach | 1 | 3 | |
| Blood | 1 | 2 | |
| Butter | 4 | 2 | |
| Gum | 5 | 4 | |
| Chocolate | 5 | 2 | |
| Coffee | 14 | 2 | |
| Soft Drinks | 1 | 2 | |
| Cooking Oils | 4 | 2 | |
| Cream | 2 | 4 | |
| Egg | 2 | ||
| Faeces | 2 | 13 | 14 |
| Fruit Juice | 1 | 2 | |
| Lipstick | 4 | 2 | |
| Milk | 7 | 2 | 4 |
| Oil or Grease | 4 | 2 | |
| Paint (Water Based) | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Paint (Oil Based) | 12 | 4 | 2 |
| Tea | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Urine (New) | 1 | 2 | |
| Urine (Old) | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Wine | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Unknown | 4 | 2 | 3 |
Key: 1 Cold Water, 2 Detergent Solution, 3 Laundry Detergent, 4 Solvent (dry carpet only), 5 Chill with ice cubes in bag or pick or scrap off gum or chocolate
, 6 Vinegar Solution (1 part vinegar to two parts water), 7 Warm Water, 8 Clear Nail Polish Remover, 9 Alcohol, Methylated Spirits or Mineral turpentine, 11 Vacuum, 12 Mineral Turpentine, 13 Laundry Detergent (1tsp in 250ml warm water), 14 Household Disinfectant (clear)
It is important to note that these are not all types of spots. Remember that a spot if left untreated can eventually turn into a stain. Stains are much harder to remove as they have penetrated deep into the carpet fiber.
What is the difference between a spot and a stain?
A spot sits on the fibers of the carpet or upholstery and can usually be removed by vacuuming and water and detergent solutions. If left untreated a spot can develop into a stain. A stain is the discoloration produced when liquid or foreign matter penetrates into or has reacted with the carpet or upholstery.
Your blog is very simple with good tips for spot removing and apart from that one should know the materials of the carpet made up and accordingly choosing the right products for cleaning will do great job without causing any damage for the carpet.
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