*Freeze and remove solid materials before using cleaning fluid.
Reappearing Stains
It is not unusual for stains to sometimes reappear after spot-cleaning. Wicking occurs when a liquid has been spilled on the carpet (usually a large quantity) and cleaning attempts remove only the stain and liquid from the carpet fibers. Liquid still remains in the carpet backing or padding. Through capillary action, the stain can "wick" back up into the carpet fibers. Residual resoiling occurs if staining substances or cleaning products are left in the carpet and attract soil.
These stains are not permanent and typically can be removed by simply repeating these appropriate step-by-step directions listed on the above chart. Here are some additional suggestions:
Avoid over wetting the carpet backing during spot-cleaning and rising. Blotting to remove excess moisture reduces the occurrence of wicking stains.
Use a "wet-vac" to extract liquid from the area if possible. Paper toweling placed over the cleaned area and weight with a color-fast object will help absorb resurfacing stains. Use of fans to decrease the drying time will also help.
Have the area profesionally cleaned to make sure the re-wicking process does not happen for larger stains.
Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials.
For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading.
Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.
Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.
Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers.
If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.
Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.
Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.
Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed.
If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
If stain remains, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2
Do NOT use on coffee, tea or urine stains.
Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to Step 3 to neutralize the ammonia solution.
Step 3
Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.
Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials.
For these stains, use a citrus solvent applied directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
Step 2
For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading.
Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.
Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.
Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers.
If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.
Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.
Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.
Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed.
If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
If stain remains, proceed to Step 3.
Step 3
Do NOT use on coffee, tea or urine stains.
Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to Step 4 to neutralize the ammonia solution.
Step 4
Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.
Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
Carpet Stain Removal Guide - Special Water-based Stains
Step 1
For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading.
Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.
Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.
Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers.
If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.
Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.
Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.
Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed.
If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
If stain remains, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2
Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.
Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
