Stain removal guide
Oops! A Spill
Spills happen. You should try to clean the spill as soon as possible before the stain sets. Start by scraping up solids and blotting, but not rubbing) up liquids (moving from the outside of the stain towards the center) with a clean rag or paper towels until dry. If dye runs onto the towel, stop and contact us. Flush area with cool water using a clean wet sponge and again blot dry. If stain remains, following the guide below
Alchoholic beverages / Soft drinks
- Cold water, carefully following instructions above (“Spills”).
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
- Small amount of dry cleaning solvent
Ball-point pen
- Dampen a clean towel with isopropyl alcohol and blot stain. Allow to dry. Brush lightly with a solution of water and vinegar.
Blood
- Cold water, carefully following instructions above (“Spills”).
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1 Tablespooon household ammonia in 1/2 cup water (You must follow this treatment with neutralizing vinegar solution. See below.)
- Enzyme detergent solution mixed according to box & rinsed
Butter / crayon
- Small amount of dry cleaning solvent
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
Chewing gum
- Press ice cubes against the spot. Wait until it becomes brittle and you can break it off. Remove traces with spot remover.
Chocolate / egg
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1 Tablespooon household ammonia in 1/2 cup water (You must follow this treatment with neutralizing vinegar solution. See below.)
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
- Enzyme detergent solution mixed according to box & rinsed
Coffee / tea
- Cold water, carefully following instructions above (“Spills”).
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
- Enzyme detergent solution mixed according to box & rinsed
- Small amount of dry cleaning solvent
Fruits / Juices / Food coloring
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1 Tablespooon household ammonia in 1/2 cup water (You must follow this treatment with neutralizing vinegar solution. See below.)
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
- Enzyme detergent solution mixed according to box & rinsed
- Soak in hot water
Furniture polish / Ink
- Small amount of dry cleaning solvent
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1 Tablespooon household ammonia in 1/2 cup water (You must follow this treatment with neutralizing vinegar solution. See below.)
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
Glue
- Saturate the spot with a cloth soaked with vinegar or alcohol.
Ice cream
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1 Tablespooon household ammonia in 1/2 cup water (You must follow this treatment with neutralizing vinegar solution. See below.)
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
- Small amount of dry cleaning solveent
Milk / Ketchup
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1 Tablespooon household ammonia in 1/2 cup water (You must follow this treatment with neutralizing vinegar solution. See below.)
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
- Enzyme detergent solution mixed according to box & rinsed
- Small amount of dry cleaning solvent
Mustard
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
- Enzyme detergent solution mixed according to box & rinsed
Nail Polish
- Blot with polish remover.
- Small amount of dry cleaning solvent
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
- Enzyme detergent solution mixed according to box & rinsed
Oils / Grease / Soft / Lipstick
- Small amount of dry cleaning solvent
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1 Tablespooon household ammonia in 1/2 cup water (You must follow this treatment with neutralizing vinegar solution. See below.)
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
Urine (fresh)
- Cold water, carefully following instructions above (“Spills”).
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
Urine (old)
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1 Tablespooon household ammonia in 1/2 cup water (You must follow this treatment with neutralizing vinegar solution. See below.)
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
Wine
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
- 1 Tablespooon household ammonia in 1/2 cup water (You must follow this treatment with neutralizing vinegar solution. See below.)
Unknown stains
- Small amount of dry cleaning solvent
- Carpet shampoo or detergent solution (1 teaspoon clear dish liquid in 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Always rinse well. Blot dry immediately.
- 1 Tablespooon household ammonia in 1/2 cup water (You must follow this treatment with neutralizing vinegar solution. See below.)
- 1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water
- Enzyme detergent solution mixed according to box & rinsed
Wax
- Put a brown paper bag over the spot to act as a blotter. Place a hot iron over the bag for a few moments until the wax is absorbed into the paper, being sure to keep the iron moving. Move to a clean area of the bag. Repeat as necessary.
