Spot And Stain Removal Guide For Carpets

General rules for spot removal on carpets

  • Soak up liquids with kitchen roll, paper tissues, toilet roll, or absorbent cloth
  • Scoop up or scrape the solids off the carpet
  • Try to identifiy unknown spots prior to treatment - if unsure, use solvent first
  • Always work from the edge of the spot inwards
  • BLOT, do NOT rub
  • Apply small quantities at a time, applied to a cloth, NOT directly to the spot; work into the spot with a small brush or sponge
  • Take care with applying solvents to bitumen-backed carpet tiles
  • When using solvents always ensure there is plenty of fresh air ventilation
  • Always thoroughly rinse afterwards if water-based spotters have been used
  • Dry the spot, if possible, with a hair dryer

These spot removal charts contain the methods for dealing with accidental spillages and the order in which the treatments should be tried.

The EASY SPOTS chart contains those spots that come out relatively easily with the methods recommended below or when you are cleaning the whole carpet.

DIFFICULT SPOTS are more difficult to remove and may require repeated attempts with stronger spot removers. Some stains you may find impossible to remove completely in which case the assistance of a professional carpet cleaner may be required.

Key To Treatments

  1. 1.Blot with white kitchen roll or paper tissues
  2. 2.Vacuum clean
  3. 3.Cold water
  4. 4.Warm water
  5. 5.WoolSafe-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)
  6. 6.WoolSafe-approved spot remover for water-based stains
  7. 7.WoolSafe-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains
  8. 8.Absorbent paper or paper tissue and hot iron
  9. 9.Chewing gum remover (solvent or freeze type)
  10. 10.Nail varnish remover or acetone
  11. 11.White spirit or turpentine substitute
  12. 12.Surgical spirit (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)
  13. 13.Rub with a coin
  14. 14.Rub gently with coarse sand paper

Treatments Used by Professional Carpet Cleaners

15. WoolSafe -approved disinfectant or deodorizer
16. Rust remover
17. Carpet re-colouring kit

Easy Spots

Spot or stain

Try 1st

2nd

3rd

Blood

5

6

3

Burn or scorch marks

13

14

 

Butter

7

5

 

Candle wax

8

7

 

Chewing gum

9

   

Chocolate/cocoa

5

7

6

Cola

3

5

6

Cream

7

5

 

Egg

5

6

 

Floor wax

7

5

 

Fruit juice

3

5

 

Gravy and sauces

5

6

 

Herbal tea

3

6

 

Metal polish

5

   

Mustard

5

6

 

Oil and grease

7

5

 

Paint (emulsion)

3

5

 

Shoe polish

7

5

 

Tea

3

5

6

Difficult Spots

Spot or stain

Try 1st

2nd

3rd

Artificially coloured drinks

3

6

 

Bleach

3

17

 

C/heating radiator fluid

16

 

 

Coffee

4

 

Felt-tip pen

7 or 11

12

5

Furniture polish

7

5

 

Glue/adhesive (plastic base)

10

11

 

Ink (fountain)

3

6

5

Ink (ballpoint pen)

12

   

Lipstick

7

   

Milk

4

5

15

Nail varnish

10

   

Paint (oil)

11

   

Rust

16

   

Soot

6

5

2

Tar (asphalt)

7

   

Urine (fresh stain)

3

5 15 

Urine (old stain)

6

15

 

Vomit

5

6

15

Wine - red

1 6