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Spot and stain removal tips

General rules for spot removal

Soak up liquids with white kitchen roll, paper tissues, toilet roll, or absorbent cloth
Scoop up or scrape off solids
Try to identify unknown spots prior to treatment – if unsure, use solvent first
Always work from the edge of the spot inwards
BLOT, do NOT rub
Apply small quantities at a time, applied to a cloth, NOT directly to the spot; work into the spot with a small brush or sponge
Take care with applying solvents to bitumen-backed carpet tiles
When using solvents always ensure there is plenty of fresh air ventilation
Always thoroughly rinse afterwards if water-based spotters have been used
Dry the spot, if possible, with a hair dryer

The spot removal charts contain the methods for dealing with accidental spillages and the order in which the treatments should be tried.

EASY SPOTS

Spots that come out relatively easily with the methods recommended or when the carpet is wet cleaned.

Stain	1st	2nd	3rd
Blood	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	Cold water
Burn / scorch marks	Rub with a coin	Rub gently with coarse sand paper	-
Butter	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	-
Candle wax	Absorbent paper or paper tissue and hot iron	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains	-
Chewing gum	WOOLSAFE-approved chewing gum remover (detergent, solvent or freeze type)	-	-
Chocolate/Cocoa	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains
Cola	Cold water	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains
Cream	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	-
Egg	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	-
Floor wax	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	-
Fruit juice	Cold water	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	-
Gravy and sauces	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	-
Herbal Tea	Cold water	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	-
Metal polish	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	-	-
Mustard	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	-
Oil and grease	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	-
Paint (emulsion)	Cold water	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	-
Shoe polish	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	-
Tea	Cold water	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains
Urine (fresh stain)	Cold water	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	15 - see professional treatments

DIFFICULT SPOTS

May require repeated attempts with stronger spot removers. Some stains you may find impossible to remove completely in which case the assistance of a professional carpet cleaner may be required.

Stain	1st	2nd	3rd
Artificially coloured drinks	Cold water	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	-
Bleach	Cold water	17 - see professional treatments	-
Central heating radiator fluid	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	16 - see professional treatments
Coffee	Warm water	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	-
Felt tip pen	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains, or White spirit or turpentine substitute	Surgical spirit (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)
Furniture polish	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	-
Glue (plastic bse)	Nail varnish remover or acetone	White spirit or turpentine substitute	-
Ink (fountain pen)	Cold water	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)
Ink (ball point pen)	Surgical spirit (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)	-	-
Lipstick	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains	-	-
Milk	Warm water	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	15 - see professional treatments
Nail varnish	Nail varnish remover or acetone	-	-
Paint (oil)	White spirit or turpentine substitute	-	-
Rust	16 - see professional treatments	-	-
Soot	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	Vacuum clean
Tar	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains	-	-
Urine (old stain)	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	15 - see professional treatments	-
Vomit	WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	15 - see professional treatments
Red Wine	Blot with white kitchen roll or paper tissues	WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains	-

Treatments used by professional carpet cleaners

15 WOOLSAFE-approved disinfectant or deodorizer

16 Rust remover

17 Carpet re-colouring kit