Please Read Before Using any Products on your Carpet!!
If you are unsure about the product, pretest the spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area. Such as in a closet or an area of carpet under or behind a piece of furniture. Apply several drops of solution and blotting gently with a clean white towel. If color transfers to the cloth or a color change occurs, a professional cleaner should be consulted. If no color transfer occurs, apply the solution again; wait half an hour to one hour, if possible, and inspect for any damaging color changes.
Treat the stained area with the proper spotting solution until the stain is removed. Do Not over wet. Use small amounts of the cleaning agents and blot frequently. Always BLOT, do not rub or scrub. Scrubbing can cause pile distortion in the affected area. The final step is always rinse carefully the area with water, then absorb all the remaining moisture with absorbant towels.
Be paitent. Some stains respond slowly. All spots and stains cannot be removed from every carpet due to differences in fibers, dye, constructions, finishes, composition of the stain, length of time the stain has remained on the carpet, etc. Some stains require professional treatment. If unsure about the process call our office - we are always ready to help.
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Build Your Own Do-It-Yourself Emergency Spot Removal Kit
Items you will need for your emergency kit are listed below. Keep these items in a handy caddie under a sink or in a laundry room along with this guide and instruct the entire family in spot removal techniques. Delaying to remove the spot may cause permanent staining!
***ALWAYS BE SURE AND FOLLOW THE PRETEST PROCEDURES BEFORE APPLYING ANY SOLUTION TO A SPOT OR STAIN.***CARRIAGE CLEANING SERVICE WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE DONE DURING SPOT REMOVAL.***IF YOU ARE UNSURE OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN REMOVE THE SPOT.***
ALCOHOL - Use neutral spirits grain alcohol or clear (uncolored) rubbing alcohol.
AMMONIA SOLUTION - Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water.
BLEACH - Use hydrogen bleach. Do not use chlorine bleach!
DETERGENT SOLUTION - Mix one quarter teaspoon of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water. Final rinsing is vital to prevent resoiling.
DRY CLEANING SOLVENT - Volatile dry spotter or a commercial dry cleaning solvent. Do not use gasoline or lighter fluid! Exercise caution when using a dry cleaning fluid. NEVER pour a dry cleaning solution directly onto the carpet or allow a dry cleaning solution to reach the carpet backing. Dry cleaning fluids may destroy the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together. Can be found at hardware stores.
ENZYME DETERGENT - Mix a solution of enzyme detergent following the directions on the label. Do not soak or overwet carpet. Allow the solution to remain on the spot for the recommended length of time before removing. An enzyme detergent can sometimes be found at pet stores.
VINEGAR SOLUTION - Mix one cup of household vinegar with two cups of water.
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REMEMBER!! Always be sure to pretest spot removal agents in an inconspicuous area (an area of carpet under or behind a piece of furniture or in a closet) by applying several drops of a solution and blotting gently with a clean white towel. If color transfers to the cloth or the color changes..STOP! Call our office for professional removal. Follow the instructions for cleaning tips and cleaning solutions on our Spot/Stain Cleaning Information page. Carriage Cleaning will not be responsible for any damage done to your carpet while using the spot removal guide to remove spots or stains from your carpet. Always use care and caution when applying any cleaners to your carpet.
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| Adhesives or Glue |
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Scrape up as much as possible with a tablespoon. Apply a non-acetone nail polish remover by applying a small amount to a clean white cloth and blotting on the spot. Then apply the Detergent Solution, blot and follow up with a clear water rinse, and drying.
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| Asphalt or Tar |
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Scrape up as much as possible with a tablespoon. Apply a Dry Cleaning Solvent using a dry towel and blotting. Apply Detergent Solution using a dry towel and blotting. Follow up with a clear water rinse and dry.
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| Acne Medication |
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| Benzoyl Peroxide causes color loss and may appear after application of water or humidity. ACT QUICKLY! Fist apply Dry Cleaning Solvent with a dry white towel or cloth by blotting. Then apply the Detergent Solution by blotting with dry towel or cloth, next apply the Ammonia Solution and then the Vinegar Solution. Finally follow up with a clear water rinse and dry. Remember to always use blotting technique and clean and dry towel or cloth. |
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| Alcoholic Beverages |
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Blot and/or scrape up as much as possible. Apply Detergent Solution blotting with a clean dry towel, then apply the Ammonia Solution and the Vinegar Solution, again blotting with a clean dry towel. Then follow up with a water rinse and dry.
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| Beer |
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Blot up as much as possible. Apply Detergent Solution and blot with a clean dry towel. Then rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Berries |
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Scrape and blot up as much as possible. Apply Detergent Solution and leave on for 3-5 minutes. Blot with a clean dry towel. If stain remains, apply Hydrogen Peroxide, cover with plastic wrap for 2-3 hours. Repeat steps with Detergent Solution. Rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Blood |
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Blot up as much as possible with a clean dry cloth. Apply Ammonia Solution and blot, then apply the Detergent Solution and blot. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Butter |
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Scrape up as much as possible. Apply Dry Cleaning Solvent and follow label directions. Blot. Then apply Detergent Solution and blot. Next apply Ammonia Solution and blot. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Candle Wax |
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Scrape up as much as possible - use an ice cube to make it brittle and crack up as much as possible. If it is a colorless wax, take a brown paper bag and while on a LOW temperature iron; iron the wax onto the bag. Alternately, use a Dry Cleaning Solvent to blot the stain. Finally rinse with clear water and dry. Candle wax removal can be very tricky. If you are hesitant, please call us to have a technician come out and remove it for you.
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| Candy |
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Scrape up as much as possible. Apply Detergent Solution and blot with a clean dry cloth. Then apply Ammonia Solution and blot. Next apply Vinegar Solution. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Catsup |
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Scrape and clean up as much as possible. With a clean dry cloth apply Detergent Solution and blot. Follow with the Ammonia Solution and then the vinegar solution. Remember to blot. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Chocolate |
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Scrape and clean up as much as possible. First with a clean dry cloth apply a Dry Cleaning Solvent using the blotting technique. Then apply the Detergent Solution. Next apply the Ammonia Solution and then the Vinegar Solution. All the while using the blotting technique. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Coffee |
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Blot up as much as possible. With a clean dry cloth, using the blotting technique, apply the Detergent Solution and then apply the Vinegar solution. Next rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Cola |
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Blot up as much as possible. Apply the Detergent Solution with a clean dry cloth. The apply the Ammonia Solution and next the Vinegar Solution. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Crayon |
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First, with a clean dry cloth apply a Dry Cleaning Solvent, follow directions on label. Then apply the Detergent Solution. Remember to use the blotting technique. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Egg and General Food Stains |
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Scrape up as much of the food as possible. First apply the Detergent Solution with a clean dry cloth, then apply the Ammonia Solution. Next apply the Vinegar Solution, remember, blot during all processes. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Fruit and Fruit Juices |
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With a clean dry cloth, blot up as much as possible. First apply the Detergent Solution while blotting. Then apply the Ammonia Solution and next the Vinegar Solution. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Glue |
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HOUSEHOLD GLUE - Apply Vinegar Solution and then apply the Detergent Solution, using blotting technique. Finally rinse with clear water and dry. HOBBY GLUE - Apply the Detergent Solution while blotting. Then rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Grease and Oil |
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Apply Dry Cleaning Solvent according to directions, remembering to blot. Apply the Detergent Solution and finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Ice Cream |
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Scrape up as much of the ice cream as possible. Using a clean dry cloth, apply the Detergent Solution while blotting. Rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Ink |
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BALL POINT INK - Using a clean dry cloth, blot up a much as possible. Spray cheap hairspray on the spot and blot. Apply a Dry Cleaning Solvent and blot. Finally rinse with clear water and dry. INDIA INK - Using a clean dry cloth blot up as much as possible. Sparingly use non-acetone nail polish remover and blot. Apply a Dry Cleaning Solvent and blot. Next apply the Detergent Solution. And finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Jell-O |
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Blot up as much as possible with a clean dry cloth. Apply the Detergent Solution and leave for about 3-5 minutes. Blot at stain. If stain remains, carefully apply Hydrogen Peroxide and cover with clear plastic wrap and put weight on it. Let it remain for 10-15 minutes. Repeat application of Hydrogen Peroxide until removal is complete. Remember to blot at stain. Follow up with a clear water rinse and dry.
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| Jelly |
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Scrape up as much as possible. Apply the Detergent Solution with a clean dry cloth and blot at stain. Next apply Vinegar Solution and again blot. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Kool-Aid |
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Blot up as much as possible with a clean dry cloth. Apply the Detergent Solution and leave for about 3-5 minutes. Blot at stain. If stain remains, carefully apply Hydrogen Peroxide and cover with clear plastic wrap and put weight on it. Let it remain for 10-15 minutes. Repeat application of Hydrogen Peroxide until removal is complete. Remember to blot at stain. Follow up with a clear water rinse and dry.
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| Lipstick |
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Scrape up as much as possible. First apply a Dry Cleaning Solvent and blot. Then apply the Detergent Solution and next the Ammonia Solution, remembering to blot. Then apply the Vinegar Solution and blot. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Milk |
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Blot up as much as possible with a clean dry cloth. First apply the Detergent Solution and blot. Next apply the Ammonia Solution and then the Vinegar Solution, remembering to blot. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Mud |
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Allow to dry and vacuum up as much as possible. Apply Detergent Solution with clean dry cloth and blot. Then apply Ammonia Solution and blot. Rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Mustard |
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Scrape up as much as possible. Fist apply the Detergent Solution and blot. Then apply the Vinegar Solution. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Nail Polish |
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SPARINGLY AND CAREFULLY blot carpet with non-acetone nail polish remover using a clean dry cloth. Apply a Dry Cleaning Solvent and then apply the Detergent Solution while blotting. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Paint |
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LATEX PAINT - Scrape up as much as possible. Using a clean dry cloth apply the Detergent Solution while blotting. Then rinse with clear water and dry. This may require professional cleaning. OIL PAINT - Scrape up as much as possible. Following the labels directions, apply a Paint, Oil, Grease Remover, POG, (found at hardware stores). Remember to blot. Then apply the Detergent Solution while blotting with a clean dry cloth. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Pet Poop |
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Scrape up as much as possible. Using a clean dry cloth and blotting, apply the Detergent Solution. Then apply the Ammonia Solution and then the Vinegar Solution, remembering to blot. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Shoe Polish |
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Scrape up as much as possible. Using a clean dry cloth apply a Dry Cleaning Solvent and blot. Next apply the Detergent Solution while blotting. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Urine |
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Blot up as much of the liquid as possible. First apply an Enzyme Detergent Solution (can be found at Pet Supply Stores) and blot. Next cover with clear plastic wrap and leave for 10-20 minutes. Then apply the Ammonia Solution while blotting and then apply the Vinegar Solution, again blot. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Vomit |
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Scrape up as much as possible. First apply an Enzyme Detergent Solution (can be found at Pet Supply Stores) follow directions on label and remember to blot. Then apply the Ammonia Solution and next the Vinegar Solution. Finally rinse with clear water and dry.
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| Wine |
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WHITE WINE - Blot up excess spill. Apply Detergent Solution. Rinse with clear water and dry. RED WINE - Blot up excess spill. Apply Detergent Solution. Apply hydrogen peroxide solution, cover with weighted plastic wrap, leave for about 2-3 hours. Repeat steps until stain is removed. Remember to blot with a clean dry towel and rinse with clear water and dry.
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