PCS of Niagara’s On-Line Spot Removal Guide

Removing spots from the carpet can be simple depending upon the spot and how long it has been on the carpet. At times multiple applications of the spot removal solution or a second solution are necessary to completely remove the spot.

A few tips:

1. Never use a circular motion to remove a spot as this destroys texture.
2. The final step should always be to rinse with clear water, blot dry and put a terry cloth towel or several white paper towels over the damp area along with a brick or sufficiently heavy object to absorb the moisture and prevent it from getting to the carpet backing. Allow to dry, remove the brick and towels and vacuum up the pile.
3. When using solutions, be sure to try on an inconspicuous area of carpet to see if it affects the color or texture of the carpet. DO not use if color in the test area marks off on a white towel.

Stains that permanently altered the carpet’s color and can NOT be removed (but can be colored over):

Call PCS of Niagara at (905) 646-6655 to have a color specialist provide an estimate.Click to Solutions and Materials to have available

Solutions and materials to have available

• Detergent solution: 1/4 tsp of with 1 qt. water.
  Use hand dish washing detergent which does not contain lanolin or bleach.
• Ammonia solution: 1 tbsp of clear household ammonia to 1/2 cup water.
• White vinegar solution 1/3 cup white vinegar, 2/3 cup water.

Other Household chemicals

• Isopropyl rubbing alcohol.
• 3% hydrogen peroxide.

Tools

• White terry towels or white paper towels or
• Spray bottle for applying solutions and for rinsing.
• Approved carpet spotters available at carpet stores and other outlets.
• Spoon or dull knife.
• Brick or heavy weight.

Stain List

(click stain to see clean-up process)
See Solutions and Materials to have available

Blood, Catsup, Cheese, Chocolate, Cola, Cough Syrup, Mixed Drinks, Soft Drinks, Soy sauce, Starch, Toothpaste, Watercolors and White Glue

Neutralize

1. (All solutions for removing blood must be cool)
2. Blot with paper towel to remove as much of the stain as possible
3. Saturate spot using spray bottle with an ammonia solution (don’t saturate to the point of wetting carpet backing)
4. Blot with paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Clean

1. Remove as much of the foreign material as possible by gently scraping with a dull knife.
2. Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot.
3. Use a blotting motion to work the detergent solution into the affected area.
4. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with white paper towel until spot is removed.
5. Rinse with tap water using spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture
6. Spray lightly with water apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
7. If there is still some stain left, moisten the carpet tufts in stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
8. Let stand for 1 hour.
9. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free.
10. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

Beer, Coffee, Tea, WineNeutralize

1. Blot with paper towel to remove as much of the stain as possible
2. Neutralize with white vinegar solution.
3. Saturate the spot using a spray bottle and blot to remove excess moisture. (don’t saturate to the point of wetting carpet backing)

Clean

1. Remove as much of the foreign material as possible by gently scraping with a dull knife.
2. Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot.
3. Use a blotting motion to work the detergent solution into the affected area.
4. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with white paper towel until spot is removed.
5. Rinse with tap water using spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture
6. Spray lightly with water apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
7. If there is still some stain left, moisten the carpet tufts in stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
8. Let stand for 1 hour.
9. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free.
10. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

Egg, Excrement, Urine, Vomit and other Protien Based StainsNeutralize

1. Remove as much of the stain as possible using a spoon or dull knife.
2. Blot up as much of the remaining stain possible with damp cloth.
3. Spray the affected area ammonia solution. (Care should be taken to remove all protein matter).
4. Blot to remove excess moisture.

Clean

1. Remove as much of the foreign material as possible by gently scraping with a dull knife.
2. Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot.
3. Use a blotting motion to work the detergent solution into the affected area.
4. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with white paper towel until spot is removed.
5. Rinse with tap water using spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture
6. Spray lightly with water apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
7. If there is still some stain left, moisten the carpet tufts in stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
8. Let stand for 1 hour.
9. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free.
10. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

Dirt or MudNeutralize

1. Allow mud to dry completely.
2. Break and gently scrape dried mud with dull knife
3. Vacuum.

Clean

1. Remove as much of the foreign material as possible by gently scraping with a dull knife.
2. Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot.
3. Use a blotting motion to work the detergent solution into the affected area.
4. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with white paper towel until spot is removed.
5. Rinse with tap water using spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture
6. Spray lightly with water apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
7. If there is still some stain left, moisten the carpet tufts in stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
8. Let stand for 1 hour.
9. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free.
10. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

Rust.

Most rust removers contain very strong acid and are not available for use by homeowners. If the following process is not successful call PCS of Niagara at (905) 646-6655.

Neutralize

1. Saturate spot with lemon juice using spray bottle.
2. Allow to stand for 5 minutes.

Clean

1. Remove as much of the foreign material as possible by gently scraping with a dull knife.
2. Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot.
3. Use a blotting motion to work the detergent solution into the affected area.
4. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with white paper towel until spot is removed.
5. Rinse with tap water using spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture
6. Spray lightly with water apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
7. If there is still some stain left, moisten the carpet tufts in stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
8. Let stand for 1 hour.
9. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free.
10. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

Nail Polish

Neutralize

1. Remove as much of the nail polish as possible using a spoon or dull knife.
2. Apply a non-oily nail polish remover to a clean white cloth and gently blot (Be careful not to allow nail polish remover to get to the latex carpet backing).

Clean

1. Remove as much of the foreign material as possible by gently scraping with a dull knife.
2. Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot.
3. Use a blotting motion to work the detergent solution into the affected area.
4. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with white paper towel until spot is removed.
5. Rinse with tap water using spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture
6. Spray lightly with water apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
7. If there is still some stain left, moisten the carpet tufts in stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
8. Let stand for 1 hour.
9. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free.
10. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

Graphite/Toner or Soot

Neutralize

1. Vacuum using crevice tool to remove the particles.
2. If all or most of the particles are not removed, call PCS of Niagara at (905) 646-6655.
3. If vacuuming removed all particles then clean.

Clean

1. Remove as much foreign material as possible by blotting with paper towel or gently scraping with dull knife. Apply isopropyl rubbing alcohol to a clean white cloth use a blotting motion to loosen/remove spot.
2. If spot extends deep into the pile continue blotting until the spot is removed or until no stain material is transferred to the cloth.
3. Do not allow alcohol to penetrate down to carpet backing (this will destroy the latex bond of the backing).
4. Never use a circular motion to remove spot as this may destroy texture.

Typewriter Ribbon and Unknown or Greasy Spots

1. Remove as much foreign material as possible by blotting with paper towel or gently scraping with dull knife. Apply isopropyl rubbing alcohol to a clean white cloth use a blotting motion to loosen/remove spot.
2. If spot extends deep into the pile continue blotting until the spot is removed or until no stain material is transferred to the cloth.
3. Do not allow alcohol to penetrate down to carpet backing (this will destroy the latex bond of the backing).
4. Never use a circular motion to remove spot as this may destroy texture.

Basic Water Based Spills like Children’s Drink Mix

1. Blot up as much of spill as possible.
2. Use wet vacuum (shop vac) if a large quantity of liquid was spilled.
3. If spot has dried, saturate the carpet tufts in the affected area with tap water (do not over wet).
4. Allow to sit for 1 minute then blot.
5. Continue until the spot is completely removed.
6. Blot dry and apply the paper towels and brick.

Candy, Household Cement and other Advanced Water Based Spills.

1. Remove as much of the foreign material as possible by gently scraping with a dull knife.
2. Apply a small quantity of a detergent solution to the spot.
3. Use a blotting motion to work the detergent solution into the affected area.
4. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with white paper towel until spot is removed.
5. Rinse with tap water using spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture
6. Spray lightly with water apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
7. If there is still some stain left, moisten the carpet tufts in stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
8. Let stand for 1 hour.
9. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free.
10. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

Asphalt, Butter, Calamine Lotion, Crayon, Furniture Polish, Gravy, Grease, Hand Lotion, Ice Cream, Ink(ballpoint, Ink(fountain pen), Lacquer, Make-up, Mayonnaise, Milk, Oil, Paint (latex), Paint (oil), Perfume, Play Dough, Rubber Cement, Salad Oil, Sauces, Shoe Polish, Shortening, Tar, Vaseline and other Grease and Water based spills

1. Remove as much foreign material as possible by blotting with paper towel or gently scraping with dull knife. Apply isopropyl rubbing alcohol to a clean white cloth use a blotting motion to loosen/remove spot.
2. If spot extends deep into the pile continue blotting until the spot is removed or until no stain material is transferred to the cloth.
3. Do not allow alcohol to penetrate down to carpet backing (this will destroy the latex bond of the backing).
4. Never use a circular motion to remove spot as this may destroy texture.
   If spot is not out:
5. Apply a small quantity of a detergent solution to the spot.
6. Use a blotting motion to work the detergent solution into the affected area.
7. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with white paper towel until spot is removed.
8. Rinse with tap water using spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture
9. Spray lightly with water apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
10. If there is still some stain left, moisten the carpet tufts in stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
11. Let stand for 1 hour.
12. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free.
13. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

Berries, Fruit Juice and other water based spills

1. Blot up as much of spill as possible.
2. Use wet vacuum (shop vac) if a large quantity of liquid was spilled.
3. If spot has dried, saturate the carpet tufts in the affected area with tap water (do not over wet).
4. Allow to sit for 1 minute then blot.
5. Continue until the spot is completely removed.
6. Blot dry and apply the paper towels and brick.
   If spot is not out:
7. Apply a small quantity of a detergent solution to the spot.
8. Use a blotting motion to work the detergent solution into the affected area.
9. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with white paper towel until spot is removed.
10. Rinse with tap water using spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture
11. Spray lightly with water apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
12. If there is still some stain left, moisten the carpet tufts in stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
13. Let stand for 1 hour.
14. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free.
15. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

Wax

1. Spread brown paper (grocery bag) or a terry cloth towel over the area and iron with the setting on “warm.” The wax will be absorbed into the paper or towel.
2. Remove any traces with alcohol solution or in-home dry cleaning kit

Chewing gum.

1. Freeze the gum using an ice cube.
2. Shatter then gently scrape with dull knife.
3. Vacuum