|
|
Removing Carpet Stains
| Initial treatment for any stain is to blot it with kitchen paper or an old white towel. Solid stains should be lifted off a surface using a blunt knife or the bowl of a spoon. Work carefully from the perimeter of a stain towards the centre to prevent it spreading. |
Beer Stains
Mop up stain with paper towel, sponge with warm water or soda water.
Blood Stains
Sponge the area with cold water or soda water and blot dry. Repeat the process if necessary. Shampoo the area with carpet shampoo.
Candle Wax Stains
Scrape up as much as you can, then harden any that’s left by putting a bag of ice cubes on the area. Pick the hardened wax from the fibres. If any wax remains, put a sheet of brown paper over the mark, place a cloth over the bag and iron with a warm iron until all of the grease has been absorbed.
Chewing Gum Stains
Place a plastic bag filled with ice cubes over the chewing gum to harden it. Use a little methylated spirit on a clean cloth to remove any residue
Chocolate Stains
Scrape up as much as you can with a blunt knife. Apply carpet shampoo to the area and clean. Allow to dry, then vacuum.
Cola Stains
Mop the stain as soon as possible. Dab with a pad soaked in vinegar. Rub gently with cold or cool water, don't use warm water as it may set the stain.
Coffee Stains
Sponge with soda water, blot dry and repeat until the stain has gone.
Curry Stains
i) Sponge with a solution of 15ml borax to 500ml water, then sponge again with clean water and pat dry.
ii) Spray soda water on the stain, pat dry, then sponge with a solution of one cup of wine vinegar and two cups of water. Dry thoroughly. If the stain remains you may need to call in a professional carpet cleaner.
Egg Stains
Scrape up as much egg as possible, sponge raw egg with salty water to break down the protein.
Ink Stains
Ballpoint Ink: Blot up as quickly as possible. Dab with methylated spirits or use a stain remover.
Fountain Pen Ink: Squirt with soda to dilute the stain and mop up as much as possible. Make a hot solution of soapflakes and dab with a pad, leave for 15 minutes then blot. You may need to repeat until stain disappears. Rinse with clean water.
Milk Stains
Milk spills need to be mopped up as soon as possible. Squirt with soda water or cool water, anything warmer will set the stain. Blot thoroughly with kitchen towel. Use a carpet shampoo if mark remains.
Fat, Oil or Grease Stains
Lay blotting paper or brown paper over the stain, place a cloth over the paper and apply a medium iron to draw the grease into the paper. You may need to follow this up with a good quality carpet shampoo. If the grease has penetrated into the pile, the stain may reappear weeks later as it seeps upwards, requiring further treatment.
Plasticine and Playdough Stains
Scrape up with a blunt knife, dab stain with methylated spirit or shampoo carpet.
Shoe Polish Stains
Scrape up as much as possible. Apply methylated spirits then use a carpet shampoo.
Tar Stains
Scrape up as much as possible. Apply a solution of equal parts of glycerine and water, leave for an hour and rinse with water.
Tea Stains
If tea contains milk work as quickly as possible and use a carpet shampoo.
Urine Stains
Squirt with soda water and mop up with kitchen towels. Add a few drops of antiseptic to cold water and wipe over stain several times.
Vomit Stains
Scrape up as much as possible. Squirt with soda water and mop up with kitchen towels. Add a few drops of antiseptic to cold water and wipe over stain several times.
Wine Stains
Pour white wine over fresh red wine stains or squirt with soda water. |
 | If you have any hints and tips you would like to share, please email us and we will add them to the site. |
Cleaning Hints and Tips Disclaimer
The hints and tips published on this site have been gathered from many different sources. All information is provided in good faith on a ‘as is’ basis. The information is intended for your general guidance only and the reader accepts full responsibility for its use. We cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any personal or property damage caused by the use of this information. Any treatments should always be tested on an inconspicuous area first, to ensure colourfastness and suitability, before treating the exposed area. |
|
|
