Residential Carpet and Rug Cleaning Atlanta spots and stains removal tip/ tips recommendations

Spot Removal Steps

Act Quickly! Most carpet available today has been treated with a stain-resist treatment; so many spills can be removed if immediate action is taken. The longer the delay, there will be a higher probability of a spill becoming a permanent stain. Remember, staining is influenced by many factors, and no carpet is completely stain proof.

Blot liquids with a dry, white, absorbent cloth or white paper toweling (no printing).

Do not scrub the area! Scrubbing may cause pile distortion in the affected area. Continue to use a dry cloth or paper towels until the area is completely dry. For semi-solids, gently scrape up with a rounded spoon. Solids should be broken up and vacuumed until completely removed. If the spot can be identified, locate the substance in the spot removal computer and follow the directions carefully.

Pre-test any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area to be 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 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.

Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to a white cloth and work in gently.

Work from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent the spill from spreading. Do not scrub! Blot, as much as possible, to absorb, and repeat if necessary.

Continue using the first cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. It is not necessary to use all of the 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 until all of the solution has been removed. Some 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, cleaning compound may be used as a substitute to accelerate drying time.

Three steps for proper carpet care:

Carpet cleaning is just like exercise! If you get into a routine and keep it up, you will see great results and feel better for it. And understanding the right way to clean carpet will help you save time by doing it correctly the first time with products that do the job right from the start. Not only will Seal of Approval cleaning products help keep your carpet looking great, they can also help meet the warranty requirements of the carpet manufacturer. Below are three simple steps to keeping your carpet clean and looking great:

1. Vacuum at the right frequency with a CRI-approved vacuum.

2. Clean spots and spills quickly with products that do not damage the carpet or cause it to resoil more quickly.

3. Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime.

Stop dirt at the door

Preventing dirt and grime from getting on the carpet in the first place is a great way to start keeping it clean. The following helpful hints can stop dirt in its tracks.

Use mats - Outdoor and indoor mats or runners can reduce the amount of dirt that enters the house.
Take off your shoes - You can save wear and tear on carpet by asking everyone to take their shoes off before entering your home.
Change your air filters - Change air filters in your heating and air-conditioning systems as recommended by the manufacturer's directions. The more dust and particles removed by the filter, the fewer that fall onto the carpet.

Some More Helpful Steps to Removing Spots and Stains:

Because of the unpredictable nature of spots and stains (and how they may react to any spot cleaning effort), no particular results can be guaranteed. Remember that no carpet is stain proof.

A. Blot Liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth. Gently scrape up semi-solids with a rounded spoon.

B. Pretest any spot removal solution (for color transfer to the cloth or damage to the carpet) in an inconspicuous area. If a change occurs, select and test another solution.

C. Apply a small amount of the suggested solution to a white cloth, and work in gently, blot - don't rub - working from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent spreading. Allow it to remain on the spill a few minutes then blot. Move to the next solution (if needed) until the spot is removed. Be patient.

D. Weighted Towel Method: Wicking can occur after a liquid spill enters the carpet backing and pad. Even professional cleaning can only remove the spill from the carpet fibers. The spill can "wick" back up into the carpet fibers and "reappear" while drying, or even weeks after spotting or professional cleaning. Lightly dampen the spot with water, cover with 2-3" of dry folded white towels, weight with books and leave overnight. This may take 3-4 times.

Key to Cleaning Solutions

1. Rubbing Alcohol as a solvent - 91% Isopropanol can be purchased at most grocery and drug stores. Never pour directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the latex backing or damage may occur. Many solvents are flammable! Use Caution.

2. Nail Polish Remover - Use the same precautions as with alcohol.

3. Detergent Solution - Use "Pro-Spot" spot cleaner undiluted or mix 1 cup water and ¼ teaspoon mild liquid detergent (no lanolin, non-bleach). Pro-spot is available for delivery in the Eugene/Springfield area.

4. Warm Water Rinse - Luke Warm (cold if specified) to remove solution residues and prevent resoiling.

5. Vinegar Solution - One cup WHITE vinegar to two cups water.

6. Ammonia Solution - Two Tablespoons household ammonia to one cup water.

7. Enzyme Product - such as Nature's Miracle or Simple Solution are available at pet supply stores. Saturating the carpet backing and pad may be required to remove odors from urine, vomit or sour milk spills. Allow the enzyme to work on such odorous spills 2-3 days before proceeding to the next spot removal method.

8. Vacuum clean - All dry spills should be vacuumed clean to lift and remove as much spilled material as possible. Use a hose attachment if you have one. Otherwise, be sure the spilled material has not contaminated your vacuum brush by testing it on a scrap carpet piece. Pouring a liquid into a dry spill may create additional problems.

9. Hydrogen Peroxide 3% - (Don't use on wool or silk) Buy a new bottle. Blot on and let dry. May need to repeat 8-10 times.

Tips for Removing Carpet Stains:

Several types of household items are great for removing stains and don’t require expensive products with smelly chemicals. These include shaving cream, vinegar & water, ammonia & water, borax, and baby wipes. After applying, just remember to never rub or scrub the stain, as this can spread the stain and damage your carpet. Instead, blot gently with a clean, dry towel. If necessary, re-apply the product and re-blot to further lift the stain.
Both salt and club soda are popular remedies for red wine stains. If you opt for salt, just sprinkle, let sit for 15 minutes or so, and then scoop up the salt after it has absorbed the wine. You'll know it's done when it turns pink!
You’ve probably heard of using baking soda to remove odors from your carpet. Likewise, you can also sprinkle cornstarch over your carpet to absorb unwanted smells and freshen your room. This is especially helpful if you have pets or kids that utilize your carpet on a regular basis. Just sprinkle, vacuum, and enjoy a fresher-smelling room!
Cornmeal has been found to be effective in removing oilier liquid stains that other treatments don’t affect.