Carpeting is a great investment that can enhance your décor like nothing else. Keeping it looking new doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task—with periodic professional cleaning and careful attention to stains and spills, it can look like the day it was installed. Here are some handy tips for cleaning carpets:
Stain Removal Techniques
No carpet is stain-proof. But by following these stain removal techniques for the type of spill and carpet fiber you’re treating, any synthetic yarn (such as nylon and polyester) can resist stains remarkably. None of these techniques are guaranteed to work in all cases.
The following definitions apply to the procedures that follow:
Techniques and Definitions
Apply
Apply all liquids to a clean white (not printed) paper towel and use to dampen carpet. Never wet a carpet through to the backing.
Blot
Press straight down with a pad of clean white paper towels—never rub. Rubbing alters carpet texture. Then in a final blotting, leave 1/2″ of paper towels on the spot overnight with a weight.
Detergent
Mix 1/4 teaspoon clear, see-through hand dish-washing detergent with 1 cup warm—not hot—water.
Dry Cleaning Fluid
Liquid, non-oily, non-caustic type sold for spot removal from garments (Carbona #10, Energine, etc.). Caution, may be flammable.
Hydrogen Peroxide/Ammonia
Mix 1/2 cup (3% solution available in drug stores) with 1 teaspoon undiluted, unscented, clear (not sudsy) household ammonia. Use within 2 hours of mixing.
Scrape
Gently scoop or scrape with the blunt edge of a spoon from the outside of the spill toward the center.
Weight
A weighted 1/2″ pad of white paper towels, left overnight, will absorb the last traces of liquid and foreign materials.
Stain Chart
Consult the chart below to find the best procedure for stain removal. Match the corresponding letter with the Procedure Description that follows.
Stain | Procedure | Stain | Procedure |
Beer | B | Kool Aid. | M |
Berries | M | Lemonade | M |
Blood | M | Lipstick | Q-A |
Butter | A | Makeup | A-B |
Candle Wax | O-A | Mayonnaise | B |
Candy (Sugar) | B | Mercurochrome | M |
Catsup | M | Methiolate | M |
Chewing Gum | G-A | Milk | B |
Chocolate | B | Mixed Drinks (Liqueurs) | M |
Chalk | P | Mud (Allow to dry) | P-B |
Coffee | M | Mustard (Allow to dry) | M |
Cooking Oil | A-B | Nail Polish | L |
Crayon | A-B | Paint – Laytex | B |
Dirt or Clay | P-B | Paint – Oil | A |
Dyes (Blue, Black, etc.) | M | Pet Food | M |
Excrement | B | Shoe Polish | A-M |
Fruit Juice/Drinks | M | Soft Drinks | M |
Furniture Polish | M | Tar | A |
Grease – Food | A-B | Tea | M |
Grease – Auto | A | Urine | D-M |
Glue – White | B | Vomit | B-M |
Glue – Hobby | A-L | Wine | B-M |
Ice Cream | B | ||
Ink – Ball Point Pen | A | ||
Ink – India, Marking Pen | A-M |
Stain Removal Procedures
Match the stain above with the stain removal procedure described below.