Water-based Stains  (Look at chart above)

Step 1
  • Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials.
  • For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading.
  • Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.
  • Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir
    gently.
  • Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area
    with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
  • Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may  damage carpet
    fibers.
  • If necessary, use your fingertips to work   the solution to the base of the stain.
  • Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.
  • Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.
  • Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have
    been removed.
  • If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and
    weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
  • Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
If stain remains, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2
DO NOT use on coffee, tea or urine stains. (skip this step)
  • Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm
    water.
  • Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
  • Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to Step 3 to neutralize the ammonia solution.

Step 3
  • Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.
  • Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
Special Water-based Stains   (Coffee, Tea or Urine)

Step 1
  • For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading.
  • Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.
  • Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir
    gently.
  • Apply detergent solution directly  to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area
    with the cloth. Avoid saturating   the carpet.
  • Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet
    fibers.
  • If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.
  • Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.
  • Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.
  • Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have
    been removed.
  • If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and
    weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
  • Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
If stain remains, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2
  • Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.
  • Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
Greasy, Oil-based Stains  (Look at chart above)

Step 1
  • Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials.
  • For these stains, use a citrus solvent applied directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet
    fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.

Step 2
  • For large stains, work from the outside of stain  to the center to prevent spreading.
  • Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.
  • Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir
    gently.
  • Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area  
    with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
  • Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet
    fibers.
  • If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.
  • Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.
  • Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.
  • Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have
    been removed.
  • If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and
    weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
  • Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
If stain remains, proceed to Step 3.

Step 3
DO NOT use on coffee, tea or urine stains.(skip this step)
  • Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm
    water.
  • Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
  • Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to Step 4 to neutralize the ammonia solution.

Step 4
  • Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.
  • Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
Reappearing Stains

It is not unusual for stains to sometimes reappear after spot-cleaning. Wicking occurs when a
liquid has been spilled on the carpet (usually a large quantity) and cleaning attempts remove only
the stain and liquid from the carpet fibers. Liquid still remains in the carpet backing or padding.
Through capillary action, the stain can "wick" back up into the carpet fibers. Residual resoiling
occurs if staining substances or cleaning products are left in the carpet and attract soil.
These stains are not permanent and typically can be removed by simply repeating these
appropriate step-by-step directions listed on the above chart. Here are some additional
suggestions:
  • Avoid overwetting the carpet backing during spot-cleaning and rising. Blotting to remove
    excess moisture reduces the occurrence of wicking stains.
  • Use a "wet-vac" to extract liquid from the area if possible. Paper toweling placed over the
    cleaned area and weight with a color-fast object will help absorb resurfacing stains. Use of
    fans to decrease the drying time will also help.
Alcohol
Grape Juice
Baby Food
Graphite
Beer
Ice Cream
Blood
Jelly
Candy
Latex Paint
Catsup
Liquor
Chocolate Milk
Milk
Clay
Soil Spots
Cola
Soft Drinks
Cologne
Syrup
Cranberry Juice
Tomato Juice
Felt Tip Marker
Water Colors
Food Stains
(general)
Watermelon
Fruit Juice
Whiskey
Fruit Punch
Wine
Furniture Polish
(water based)
Vomit
Water Based Stains
Special
Water-Based
Stains
Butter
Margarine
Chocolate
Mascara
Cooking Oil
Mayonnaise
Cosmetics
Nail Polish
Crayon
Oil
Furniture Dye
Oil Paint
Furniture
Polish
(Oil based)
Ointment
Glue*
Peanut Butter
Gravy
Rouge
Grease (black)
Salad Dressing
Gum*
Spaghetti
Hand Cream
Wax*
Ink
Varnish
Lipstick
 
Greasy, Oil-Based Stains
* Freeze and remove solid
material before using
cleaning fluid
Identify your stain on the charts,
then follow directions below.
Coffee
Tea
Urine
Mohawk
FloorCare
Essentials
Carpet Care Kit
Emergency
Spot
Removal Steps
Counter