| 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
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KEY TO TREATMENTS
- Blot with white kitchen roll or paper tissues
- Vacuum clean
- Cold water
- Warm water
- WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)
- WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains
- WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains
- Absorbent paper or paper tissue and hot iron
- Chewing gum remover (solvent or freeze type)
- Nail varnish remover or acetone
- White spirit or turpentine substitute
- Surgical spirit (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)
- Rub with a coin
- Rub gently with coarse sand paper
Treatments used by professional carpet
cleaners
- WOOLSAFE-approved disinfectant or deodorizer
- Rust remover
- Carpet re-colouring kit
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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 or when the carpet is wet cleaned.
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.
EASY SPOTS
| Spot or
stain
|
Try 1st
|
Try 2nd
|
Try 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
|
| Urine (fresh stain)
|
3
|
5
|
15
|
DIFFICULT SPOTS ON A CARPET
| Spot or
stain
|
Try 1st
|
Try 2nd
|
Try 3rd
|
| Artificially coloured drinks
|
3
|
6
|
|
| Bleach
|
3
|
17
|
|
| C/heating radiator fluid
|
5
|
6
|
16
|
| Coffee
|
6
|
|
|
| Felt-tip pen
|
7 or 11
|
12
|
5
|
| Furniture polish
|
7
|
5
|
|
| Glue/adhesive
|
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 (old stain)
|
6
|
15
|
|
| Vomit
|
5
|
6
|
15
|
| Red wine
|
1
|
6
|
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