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Carpet Cleaning 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.
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 |
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) |
DIFFICULT SPOTS
Stain |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Artificially coloured drinks |
Cold water |
WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains |
- |
Bleach |
Cold water |
- |
|
Central heating radiator fluid |
WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted) |
WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains |
|
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 base) |
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) |
|
Nail varnish |
Nail varnish remover or acetone |
- |
- |
Paint (oil) |
White spirit or turpentine substitute |
- |
- |
Rust |
- |
- |
|
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 |
- |
|
Vomit |
WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted) |
WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains |
|
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