CARPET STAIN REMOVAL METHODS

Treat stains as soon as possible after staining. The older the stain, the more difficult it will be to remove.

Blood
Apply diluted Joy dish washing soap (1 part soap to 4 parts water) rinse thoroughly, blot with absorbent towel. Apply cool ammonia solution, blot. If stain remains, apply a rust remover or try hydrogen peroxide.

Candle Wax
Scrape off the surface wax with a dull knife. Apply a white cotton towel and press lightly with a warn (not hot) iron until all wax is removed. Be careful not to melt fibers with iron. Some colors, particularly red, may leave a dye stain that is difficult or impossible to remove, which may require professional attention.

Chocolate and Cocoa
Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a clean absorbent towel and scraping up any solids with a dull knife. Sponge lightly with cool water and blot several times. Apply diluted Joy dish washing soap (1 part soap to 4 parts water) with a towel, rinse thoroughly. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Egg
Remove excess material by blotting up any liquid with a clean absorbent towel and scraping up any solids with a dull knife. Sponge lightly with cool water and blot several times. Apply diluted Joy dish washing soap (1 part soap to 4 parts water) with a towel, rinse thoroughly. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Feces
Remove excess material by blotting up any liquid with a clean absorbent towel and scraping up any solids with a dull knife. Sponge lightly with cool water and blot several times. Wash area with a solution of teaspoon vinegar and 1 teaspoon Joy dish washing soap in quart of warm water. Rinse and blot with clear water. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Grease
Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a clean absorbent towel. Apply a spot cleaner such as Spotter 201 according to product direction. (Test in an inconspicuous area to make sure carpet color is not removed.) Some spot removers dry to a powder. If it is this type, vacuum before continuing. Apply Joy dish washing soap (diluted 1 part to 4 parts water) with a towel, rinse thoroughly. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Gum
Freeze the gum residue with ice cubes in a plastic bag. Break or scrape off brittle gum. Apply an acetone product (fingernail polish remover) be sure to test in an inconspicuous area first. Clean with Joy dish washing detergent, rinse thoroughly, let dry, then vacuum.

Ink -- Removing ballpoint ink from carpet
Remove excess ink by blotting with a clean absorbent towel. Apply an acetone cleaner (fingernail polish remover) be sure to test an inconspicuous area first. Apply diluted Joy dish washing soap (1 part soap to 4 parts water) with a towel, rinse thoroughly. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Removing water soluble ink from carpet
Remove excess ink by blotting with a clean absorbent towel. Sponge lightly with cool water and blot several times. Apply diluted Joy dish washing soap (1 part soap to 4 parts water) with a towel, rinse thoroughly. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Removing non-soluble ink from carpet
Contact a commercial carpet and rug cleaner for advice. (E-Mail Bestway carpets)
Try the same cleaning method recommended above for removing ballpoint ink from carpet. Some permanent inks are impossible to remove successfully.

Lipstick
Remove excess material by blotting up lipstick with an acetone product (fingernail polish remover) be sure to test in an inconspicuous area first. Apply Joy dish washing soap (diluted 1 part soap to 4 parts water) with a towel, rinse thoroughly. Let dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Milk
Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a clean absorbent towel. Sponge lightly with cool water and blot several times. Apply diluted Joy dish washing soap (1 part soap to 4 parts water) with a towel, rinse thoroughly. Let dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Mud
Scrape up as much mud as possible and allow residue to dry completely. Vacuum well, then blot with diluted Joy dish washing soap (1 part soap to 4 parts water) rinse thoroughly. Let area dry and vacuum again.

Mustard
Mix one teaspoon Joy dish washing soap with a cup of lukewarm water. Apply small amounts of the cleaning solution with a clean, white absorbent towel. Blot frequently and continue to apply and blot until the staining material is no longer transferred to the absorbent material. If stain remains, mix one third cup white vinegar with two-thirds cups of water. Apply using the same techniques as with the detergent. If stain still remains, mix a solution of powdered enzyme laundry products such as Biz bleach or laundry detergent following directions on the label or box. Cover the stain with a cloth drenched in the solution and allow to remain on the stain for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer. Rinse the area with clean water. Blot dry.

Nail Polish
After removing excess, apply nail polish remover, do by dropper, to soften. Then blot or scrape away. Pretest nail polish remover in an inconspicuous place. Do not use on acrylic fibers.

Paint: Water base, wet
Work as quickly as possible so the paint does not dry. Remove excess paint by blotting up liquid with a clean absorbent towel. Sponge with cool water and blot several times. Apply 1-teaspoon liquid white dish washing detergent mixed in 1-cup warm water or you can apply diluted carpet shampoo (1 part shampoo to 4 parts water) with a towel. Rinse and repeat as many times as necessary to remove all the paint. Let the area dry thoroughly. Vacuum.

Paint: Oil based, wet
After removing excess paint, carefully apply turpentine or paint thinner and blot repeatedly. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum.

Paint: Dry
Check with paint store for possible commercial dry water base or oil based paint removers with acetone or contact a commercial carpet and rug cleaner for advice.

Rust
Sponge with rubbing alcohol (or a solution of alcohol and water) and blot quickly with a clean dry towel. Repeat several times until no more stain is absorbed into the towel. There are also several carpet safe rust remover products sold over the counter.

Tar
Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a clean absorbent towel and scraping up any solids with a dull knife. Apply an acetone spot cleaner or dry cleaning solvent according to the product directions.

Urine
Blot up excess with a clean absorbent towel. Sponge with cool water and blot, then sponge with a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar and blot well. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum. Commercial products designed to remove protein-based stains may be available from a veterinarian or at your local pet store.

Vomit
Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a clean absorbent towel and scraping up solids with a dull knife. Sponge lightly with cool water and blot several times. Apply diluted Joy dish washing soap (1 part soap to 4 parts water) with a towel, rinse thoroughly. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

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