Spot Guide

Super Duper Spot Removal Guide

How to Remove Common Household Stains, including:

Our spot removal guide is filled with suggestions to help keep your carpets, upholstery, drapes and area rugs spot free. Here are some preliminary Spot Removal Tips to keep in mind before you start:

1. When a spot or stain occurs, act quickly! The longer it remains on the carpet, the harder it is to get out!

2. Use clean white towels and blot the stain.

3. Apply the appropriate spot remover as directed for each type of stain.

4. Always work toward the center of the spot.

5. Repeat steps if necessary, and always blot between steps with a clean white towel.

6. Always do a spot removal test on a portion of carpet that is normally not visible.

7. Never use bleach!

Remember, these tips are suggested treatments only! If you have any doubts about a particular stain, or if it is an extremely difficult stain, please call your local technician first. We cannot be held accountable for any damage resulting from the spot removal guide.

Alcohol/Beer/Whiskey Stain

1. Squirt with warm tap water or soda water.

2. Blot dry (Carpet shampoo may also be effective)

Blood Stain

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover(s), and then follow the process below:

• Ammonia Solution: One tablespoon clear ammonia to one-half cup water.

• Dish Detergent Solution: One teaspoon mild dish detergent to one cup water.Laundry Solution: One teaspoon laundry detergent to one cup water.

Directions:

1. Apply cool dish detergent solution and blot.

2. Apply cool ammonia solution and blot.

3. Apply laundry detergent solution.

4. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.

Removing Burn Marks

1. Add one teaspoon of white distilled vinegar to carpet shampoo.

2. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.

3. Trim burned fibers with scissors. If damage is extensive, call us for help.

Removing Chocolate Stains

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover(s), and then follow the process below:

• Ammonia Solution: One tablespoon clear ammonia to one-half cup water.Dish Detergent Solution: One teaspoon mild dish detergent to one cup water.

• White Vinegar Solution: One-third cup white distilled vinegar to two-thirds cup water.

Directions:

1. Apply cool dish detergent solution and blot.

2. Apply ammonia solution and blot.

3. Rinse with tap water. Blot again.

4. Apply white vinegar solution.

5. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.

Removing a Coffee/Tea/Cola Stain

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover, and then follow the process below:

• White Vinegar Solution: One-third cup white distilled vinegar to two-thirds cup water.

Directions:

1. Flush with cold tap water or soda water.

2. Apply white vinegar solution and blot.

3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Repairing Flood Damage

Flood damage usually results in a situation where you should consult a carpet cleaning professional.

Fruit Juice/Jelly-Soda/Artificial Colors

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover(s), and then follow the process below:

• Dish Detergent Solution: One teaspoon mild dish detergent to one cup water.

• Laundry Solution: One teaspoon laundry detergent to one cup water.

• White Vinegar Solution: One-third cup white distilled vinegar to two-thirds cup water.

Directions :

1.  Apply dish detergent solution and blot.

2. Apply white vinegar solution and blot.

3. Rinse with tap water and blot.

4. Apply laundry detergent solution and blot.

5. Rinse with tap water and blot dry

Removing Glue From Carpet or Upholstery

• Cleaning methods vary depending on the type of glue. Many commercial products have special solvents available from the manufacturer. Follow instructions carefully. If stains prove to be indelible, trim affected fibers, or call a professional.

Removing Grass Stains

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover(s), and then follow the process below:

• Ammonia Solution: One tablespoon clear ammonia to one-half cup water.

• Laundry Solution: One teaspoon laundry detergent to one cup water.

• White Vinegar Solution: One-third cup white distilled vinegar to two-thirds cup water.

Directions:

1. Apply laundry detergent solution and blot.

2. Rinse with tap water. Blot again.

3. Apply ammonia solution and blot.

4. Apply white vinegar solution and blot.

5. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.

Removing Gravy/Ketchup/Mustard Stains

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover(s), and then follow the process below:

• Dish Detergent Solution: One teaspoon mild dish detergent to one cup water.

• Laundry Solution: One teaspoon laundry detergent to one cup water.

• White Vinegar Solution: One-third cup white distilled vinegar to two-thirds cup water.

Directions:

1. Apply dish detergent solution and blot.

2. Apply white vinegar solution and blot.

3. Apply laundry detergent solution and blot.

4. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.

Removing Grease/Oil/Clear Salad Dressing Stains

Directions

• Apply a dry cleaning solution or carpet shampoo.

Removing Gum From Carpeting

• Dry Cleaning Solution: Use a commercial product available at most hardware stores, home improvement stores, and supermarkets.

Directions:

1. Chill with ice cubes.

2. Scrape off as much of the gum as possible.

3. Apply dry cleaning solution and blot.

Removing Ink (Ball Point) Stains

• Dry Cleaning Solution: Use a commercial product available at most hardware stores, home improvement stores, and supermarkets.

Directions:

• Apply dry cleaning solution.

For Fountain Pens or Felt Tip Pens or Markers, it’s best to have fountain pen or felt tip pen stains removed by a professional carpet cleaner.

Removing a Milk Stain

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover(s), and then follow the process below:

• Ammonia Solution: One tablespoon clear ammonia to one-half cup water.

• Dish Detergent Solution: One teaspoon mild dish detergent to one cup water.

Directions:

1. Apply warm water or soda water and blot

2. Apply dish detergent solution and blot.

3. Apply ammonia solution and blot again.

4. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.

Removing a Mud Stain

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover, and then follow the process below:

• Dish Detergent Solution: One teaspoon mild dish detergent to one cup water.

Directions

1. Let dry.

2. Brush, scrape or vacuum off as much possible.

3. Apply dish detergent solution.

4. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.

Removing Nail Polish Stains

• Dry Cleaning Solution: Use a commercial product available at most hardware stores, home improvement stores, and supermarkets.

Directions: 

1. Apply dry cleaning solution. Blot.

2. Apply a non-oily nail polish remover. (Note: Nail polish remover may dissolve some fibers. PRE-TEST FIRST!)

3. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.

Removing Paint Stains (Oil or Water Based)

It’s best not to try this on your own. It’s very risky. When a paint spill occurs, call us for professional help.

Removing Rust Stains

While commercial rust removers may be used, we don’t recommend it. They are both dangerous and expensive. It’s advisable to let experts handle the job

Removing Shoe Polish and Tar Stains

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover(s) and then follow the process below.

• Ammonia Solution: One tablespoon clear ammonia to one-half cup water.

• Dish Detergent Solution: One teaspoon mild dish detergent to one cup water.

• Dry Cleaning Solution: Use a commercial product available at most hardware stores, home improvement stores, and supermarkets.

Directions:

1. Apply a dry cleaning solution. Blot.

2. Repeat until stain fades.

3. Apply dish detergent solution.

4. Rinse with tap water and blot.

5. Apply ammonia solution.

6. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.

Removing Urine or Animal Stains

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover(s) and then follow the process below.

• Ammonia Solution: One tablespoon clear ammonia to one-half cup water.

• White Vinegar Solution: One-third cup white distilled vinegar to two-thirds cup water.

Directions:

1. Apply dish detergent solution and blot.

2. Apply ammonia solution. Blot again.

3. Rinse with tap water and blot.

4. Apply white vinegar solution. Blot again.

5. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.

6. To eliminate odors ask about our deodorizer services.

Removing Vomit or Fecal Stains

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover(s) and then follow the process below.

• Ammonia Solution: One tablespoon clear ammonia to one-half cup water.

• Laundry Solution: One teaspoon laundry detergent to one cup water.

• White Vinegar Solution: One-third cup white distilled vinegar to two-thirds cup water.

Directions:

1. Apply laundry detergent solution. Blot.

2. Apply ammonia solution and blot.

3. Rinse with tap water. Blot again.

4. Apply white vinegar solution and blot.

5. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.

6. To eliminate odors ask about our deodorizer services.

Removing Wax/Crayon/Lipstick Stains

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover(s), and then follow the process below:

• Dish Detergent Solution: One teaspoon mild dish detergent to one cup water.

• Dry Cleaning Solution: Use a commercial product available at most hardware stores, home improvement stores, and supermarkets.

Directions:

1. Apply dry cleaning solution and blot.

2. Repeat until stain fades.

3. Apply dish detergent solution. Blot again.

4. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.

Removing Wine Stains

To remove this stain, mix the following spot remover(s),  and then follow the process below:

• Ammonia Solution: One tablespoon clear ammonia to one-half cup water.

• Dish Detergent Solution: One teaspoon mild dish detergent to one cup water.

• White Vinegar Solution: One-third cup white distilled vinegar to two-thirds cup water.

Directions:

1. Apply dish detergent solution. Blot.

2. Apply white vinegar solution and blot.

3. Rinse with tap water. Blot again.

4. Apply ammonia solution.

5. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.