Cleaning Guide

For proper methods of Spot Cleaning, please use the Guide below, furnished by the Carpet and Rug Institute.

SPOT	METHOD
alcoholic beverage	3, 6, 5, 4, 8
bleach	3, 4, 8
blood	6, 3, 4 (cold), 7, 8
butter	1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8
candle wax	2, 1, 8
catsup	3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
charcoal	9, 3, 8
chewing gum     freeze with ice, chip away, then...	1, 8
chocolate	1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8
coffee/tea with cream and sugar	3, 5, 4, 7, 8
cosmetic	2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
crayon     freeze with ice, chip away, then...	1, 8
food	3, 6, 4, 8
fruit juice	3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
furniture polish (water base)	3, 4, 1, 6, 7, 8
furniture polish (solvent base)	2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
grass	2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
grease	1, 3, 4, 8
ink-ball point pen	2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
iodine	1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8
kool-aid	9, 3, 5, 4, 7, 8
lipstick	2, 1, 3, 6,5, 4, 7, 8
medicine	2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
milk	1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8
mud	3, 4, 8
mustard	3, 5, 4, 7, 8
nail polish	2, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
oil	1, 3, 8
paint, latex	3, 6, 4, 7, 8
plant food	3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
rust	5, 3, 4, 7, 8
shoe polish	2, 1, 3, 6, 4, 7, 8
soft drinks	3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
tar	1, 7, 8
toothpaste	3, 5, 6, 4, 8
unknown	2, 1, 3, 5, 6, 4, 7, 8
urine, wet	3, 6, 5, 4, 8
urine, dry	3, 4, 5, 6, 8
vomit	3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8

KEY TO CLEANING METHODS:
1	DRY CLEANING FLUID	A nonflammable spot removal liquid available in grocery and hardware stores.
2	NAIL POLISH REMOVER	Amyl Acetate - Often has a banana fragrance.
3	DETERGENT SOLUTION	Mix 2 cups water and 2 teaspoons mild liquid detergent (no lanolin, non-bleach).
4	WARM WATER	Lukewarn tap water.
5	VINEGAR SOLUTION	One cup WHITE vinegar to two cups water.
6	AMMONIA SOLUTION	Two tablespoons household ammonia to one cup water.
7	SPOT REMOVAL KIT	Available from retail carpet stores or professional cleaners.
8	CALL A PROFESSIONAL	If you cannot completely remove the spot.
9	VACUUM CLEAN	Vacuum thoroughly.
Spot Cleaning Guide © by The Carpet and Rug Institute, Dalton, GA. Find the spot source in the first column and read across that row for the correct spot removal method to try. Continue using the first method until there is no longer a transfer of stain to the cleaning cloth. Try the first method suggested, then the second, and third, etc., until the spot is successfully removed. Note: Some spills contain chemicals that may discolor or even damage the rug fibers or dyes. If you have doubts about what caused the spot and how to remove it, contact a professional carpet cleaner.

SPOT CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS

•  Blot spills with a clean, white, absorbent cloth or paper towel. Never rub a spill; rubbing forces the spill deeper into the fibers.   

•  Remove any solids using a spoon or a blunt knife. Always work from the edge of the stain inward, and scrape in the direction of the pile whenever possible.   

•  Remove as much moisture from the spill as possible by blotting with a clean, white, absorbent cloth or paper towel.   

•  Try to remove any residual stain with clean, lukewarm water containing a small amount of carpet shampoo or mild dishwashing liquid.     

•  If water fails, a solvent can be used to effectively remove a spill. Always pretest the solvent on a small area of the rug by applying a few drops, then blotting with a clean, white, absorbent cloth or paper towel.   

•  Apply the solvent directly on the stain and work from the edges of the spot to the center with a spoon handle. Blot thoroughly with a white, absorbent cloth or paper towel until as much moisture as possible is absorbed. Repeat the process until the spot no longer transfers to the cleaning cloth, never over-wetting the stain.   

•  Use clean water to remove any residual cleaner, and absorb any remaining moisture with white paper towels. When dry, vacuum pile to restore texture.   

•  If you cannot completely remove the spill, send you rug to a reputable professional cleaner.

•    Cleaning spills immediately can often prevent a stain from setting in. See the chart above for specific spills and their cleaning methods. Follow these directions for quick spot cleaning.