The following general carpet stain removal procedures should help you by getting the proper start on most spills. The key stain removal tip for most spills is patience.
Act Quickly! Most carpet available today has been treated with a stain-resist treatment. Most spills can be removed if immediate action is taken. The longer the delay, the higher the probability of a spill becoming a permanent stain. Remember that staining is influenced by many factors. No carpet is completely stain proof.
Blot liquids with a dry, white, absorbent cloth or plain white (no printing) paper towels or extract with a portable extractor. Do not scrub the area! Scrubbing can cause pile distortion in the affected area. Continue to use a dry cloth or paper towels until the area is completely dry. Gently scrape up semi-solids with a rounded spoon. Solids should be broken up and vacuumed until completely removed.
If the spot can be identified, locate the substance on the Carpet Stain Chart and follow the directions carefully. For unknown spots, refer to the procedures for "unknown."
Pretest any spot removal (carpet stain removal) agent in an inconspicuous area to make certain the solution will not damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the wet area for ten seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another carpet cleaning solution should be selected.
Apply a small amount of the selected carpet cleaning solution to a white cloth and work gently into carpet. Work from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent the spill from spreading. Do not scrub! Scrubbing can cause pile distortion! Blot, absorbing as much as possible or extract with a spot removal (carpet stain removal) extractor, and repeat, if necessary.
Continue using the first carpet cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. It is not necessary to use all of the carpet cleaning solutions if the first solution removes the spill. Be patient! Complete removal of the spill may require repeating the same step several times.
After the spill has been completely removed, rinse the affected area thoroughly with cold water and blot with a dry cloth or spot removal (carpet stain removal) extractor until all of the carpet cleaning solution has been removed. Some carpet cleaning solutions will cause rapid soiling if the solution is not completely removed.
Apply a one-half inch layer of white paper towels to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy object. Continue to change paper towels as needed. A dry, absorbent, carpet cleaning compound may be used as a substitute to accelerate drying time. In addition, a fan may be used to speed drying. Using a fan is always a good idea to limit spill wick back from the carpet base.
About the Author
Michael Hilton was the original creator of Carpet Buyers Handbook. Having owned and operated a carpet wholesale company, Hilton has a vast knowledge about all-things carpet related as well as other types of flooring.
Owen Carpet Co., Inc. a Dalton, Georgia carpet wholesaler Owen Carpet has Wholesale Carpet Prices on Berber Carpet, Printed Carpet, Commercial Carpet, Outdoor Carpet, as well as Discount Carpet from Mohawk Carpet, Shaw Carpet, Beaulieu Carpet, Milliken Carpet, and Stainmaster Carpet. Don't miss our wholesale flooring prices on Vinyl Flooring, Vinyl Tile, Vinyl Plank, Area Rugs, Wood Flooring, Laminate Flooring, Ceramic Tile, and more. Visit our Owen Carpet page on the Carpet Buyers Handbook.
Shop the finest selection of carpet, wood, rugs, and tile at Carpets of Dalton, the nations #1 place for floorcovering. Unbeatable selection and prices on name brand, top quality floorcovering. Call or e-mail for samples, prices, and unbeatable deals. Visit our Carpets of Dalton page on the Carpet Buyers Handbook.
Carpet Express Inc., located in Dalton, Georgia, offers wholesale prices on America's most trusted brands of carpet, hardwood, and resilient flooring to customers throughout the United States. We specialize in Shaw carpet, Bruce Hardwood Flooring, Armstrong flooring, Mannington and other major manufacturers. Call or email to order free samples. Visit our Carpet Express page on the Carpet Buyers Handbook.
Click here to email questions or comments about this web site.