Maintaining a spot free carpet is much easier if its been treated with a high quality fabric protector. No carpet however, is stain proof. Many conditions can cause permanent discoloration of the carpet fiber. Among these are the dye in some food and beverages, bleaches, acids, caustic solutions found in every day household cleaning products. Pet urine and even household dust (especially dust filtration stains along walls) can, overtime, permanently stain your carpet. 

 
For best results, prompt attention to spots and spills is often the difference between spots easily removed and permanent stains. If your carpet has been treated with a protective fiber treatment, it should respond effectively to simple spot cleaning procedures. You’ll be amazed at how easy spot removal can be when you closely follow the simple steps outlined in this spot removal guide.

 

Stain Removal
 

Solutions:

AMMONIA-1 Tablespoon clear household ammonia in ½ cup water. Always pre-test.
DETERGENT-1-2 drops of colorless, mild detergent or dish washing liquid in 1 cup lukewarm water
ENZYME DETERGENT-Mix enzyme detergent per instructions on package and allow to remain on stain for recommended time. Do not over wet.
                CAUTION: Enzymes can damage natural fibers, like wool. Use with care or call us.
VINEGAR-1/3 cup white household vinegar in 2/3 cup water.

 Red Wine
Red wine spills result in an absorbed type of stain that is reddish or purplish in color and contains alcohol, sugar, tannin and various coloring agents.
1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry
6. Apply dry cleaning solvent, blot.

Chocolate
Chocolate results in a built up or absorbed stain that is brown colored with irregular edges. It can contain oil, grease, cocoa, butter, coloring, sugar, and dairy products.
1. Scrape off as much as possible with a spatula or dull edge knife.
2. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

Soft Drinks
Soft drinks can cause stains that can be colorless, yellowish, reddish, brownish, and that darken with age. They contain sugar, tannin, vegetable coloring, flavoring, and fruit extracts.
1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting solution deep into the stain. DO NOT SCRUB as this may cause nap distortion of the fiber.
5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Mud and Soil
Mud and soil are grayish, yellowish, reddish, or brownish. They are absorbed and built-up types of stains that can contain soil with greases and oils, as well as clay and iron.
1. Brush or scrape off as much as possible.
2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
5. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting solution deep into the stain. DO NOT SCRUB as this may cause nap distortion of the fiber.
6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
7. If stain remains, apply a “paint oil and grease” remover and dry cleaning solvent
    alternatively, blot until dry.

Pet Soil and Vomit
Pet soil and vomit is a mixture of foodstuffs, saliva, stomach acids digestive waste products. Sometimes, this mixture can stain the pile of the carpet or leave a persistent odor. Follow the tips below to cleanup the stain, but if that doesn’t work, call SaniCare about our Guaranteed Pet Odor Removal.
1. Immediately pick up/blot up as much material as possible using paper towels or a clean, white cloth. A tablespoon makes a good scraper if necessary.
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
3. Apply detergent solution, blot.
4. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting solution deep into the stain. DO NOT SCRUB as this may cause nap distortion of the fiber.
5. Rinse thoroughly with cool, clean water, blot until dry.

 Coffee and Tea
Coffee and tea stains appear brownish with irregular edges. They may contain tannins, sugars, fatty acids, alcohols, oils, milk, and cream. These stains darken with heat and age.
1. Apply detergent solution, blot. (Enzyme detergent may be needed if a dairy product was mixed in)
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
4. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting solution deep into the stain. DO NOT SCRUB as this may cause nap distortion of the fiber.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

Ketchup and Tomato Sauces
Ketchup (catsup) and other tomato sauces are reddish brown and cause both absorbed and built up types of stains. They generally contain tomatoes, salt, sugar, spices, tannin, vinegar, onions, artificial coloring, preservatives, etc.
1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
4. If stain remains, bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate is recommended-proceed with extreme caution or call us.
5. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting solution deep into the stain. DO NOT SCRUB as this may cause nap distortion of the fiber.
6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

Cosmetics
Cosmetics can include makeup, mascara, lipsticks, lotions and creams. Mostly they are pigments in dyes, fats, waxes and oils.
1. Scrap off excess (using a dull edge tool) and apply “paint, oil and grease” remover, blot
2. Apply dry cleaning solvent, blot.
3. Apply detergent solution, blot.
4. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
5. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
6. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting solution deep into the stain. DO NOT SCRUB as this may cause nap distortion of the fiber.
7. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Plant Food Stains
Many plant foods have chemicals that can damage the color of your carpet. Try these recommendations, but you may need to call us for help.
1. Scoop up as much as possible.
2. Blot up remaining with a clean white cloth.
3. Apply warm detergent solution, blot.
4. Apply pressure to the spot with a spatula or back of a tablespoon to work spotting solution deep into the stain. DO NOT SCRUB as this may cause nap distortion of the fiber.
5. Rinse with water, blot dry.
6. If stain persists, apply dry cleaning solvent, blot.