One of the most crucial areas of carpet maintenance is the removal of spots and spills. The golden rule is to act quickly. Rapid attention could make a great deal of difference to whether you end up with a mark or no stain at all. The recommended method is to blot up liquids with white paper tissues or clean absorbent cloths. Scoop up solids with end of a knife or with a spoon and then treat the stain according to the recommendations given below.
Always work inwards from the edge of the stain to prevent it spreading. Apply small amounts of cleaning agent at a time so as not to over-wet the carpet, blot between applications with paper tissues or dry cloths. Do not rub the stain: rubbing will spread the stain over a bigger area and could distort the pile. Rinse the treated area by carefully applying small amounts of clear tepid water and finally place a thick wad of white tissues on the treated area weighed down with a heavy object. Change the wad once or twice and finally leave on the spot until dry.
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| Types of Spillages | Type of Treatment | ||
| Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | |
| Beverages | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Blood | 4 | 5 | – |
| Burn / scorch mark | 13 | 14 | – |
| Butter | 2 | 1 | – |
| Candle wax | 6 | 2 | – |
| Chewing gum | 7 | – | – |
| Chocolate | 1 | 2 | – |
| Cola | 4 | 1 | – |
| Cream | 1 | 2 | – |
| Egg | 1 | – | – |
| Floor wax | 2 | – | – |
| Fruit juice | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Furniture polish | 2 | 1 | 15 |
| Gravy & sauces | 3 | 1 | – |
| Ink (ball point) | 8 | 1 | – |
| Ink (fountain pen) | 4 | 5 | – |
| Lipstick | 2 | 1 | – |
| Metal polish | 1 | – | – |
| Milk | 3 | 1 | – |
| Mustard | 1 | – | – |
| Nail polish | 9 | 2 | |
| Oil & grease | 2 | 1 | – |
| Paint (emulsion) | 4 | 1 | – |
| Paint (oil) | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| Salad dressing | 1 | 2 | – |
| Shoe polish | 2 | 1 | – |
| Soot | 11 | 1 | 15 |
| Tar | 2 | – | – |
| Urine (fresh stain) | 1 | – | – |
| Urine (old stain) | 15 | – | – |
| Vomit | 1 | 5 | – |
| Wine | 12 | 4 | 5 |
TYPE OF TREATMENT
1. Carpet shampoo solution
2. Dry cleaning fluid
3. Warm water
4. Cold water
5. Laundry detergent (one teaspoon in 250ml warm water)
6. Absorbent paper and hot iron
7. Chewing gum remover (freezing agent)
8. Surgical alcohol
9. Nail polish remover or acetone
10. Turpentine or white spirit
11. Vacuum
12. Absorbent powder
13. Scrape lightly with fingers
14. Rub gently with coarse sandpaper
15. Call professional cleaner