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Spot Cleaning Tips

Keep a First Aid Kit for Carpets Handy

Laundry detergent – liquid and granular [dry]
Oxygen bleach [do not use chlorine bleach]
Grease solvent – dry cleaning fluid or spot remover
Nail polish remover
Rubbing alcohol Turpentine

Act Fast!

Scrape or blot up all excess spill or blemish.
Waiting may cause permanent damage.
Some stains can be made worse by improper treatment, so if you cannot remedy it with a solution from the list below, or do not feel comfortable removing it yourself, call us for an emergency cleaning.

Pre-Treat

When water is called for, use only lukewarm to avoid setting stain.
Greasy spills – sponge gently with grease solvent or apply granular [dry] detergent.
Non-greasy spills- sponge gently with solution of one teaspoon liquid detergent to one cup water. Do not use soap.
Animal stains- sponge freely with cold water. Apply solution of three tablespoons white vinegar to one quart water. Sponge with detergent suds and rinse.

NOTE: How to sponge - Work lightly. Work from center to edges. “Feather” area by sponging edges irregularly. Blot damp/dry quickly to avoid rings.

N THE EVENT OF MAJOR MISHAPS. Call Spectrum for suggested remedy and action until help arrives.

Typical Emergencies and Treatments

NOTE: Dry carpet as completely as possible immediately after spotting to avoid other damage, especially mildew. Raise dampened are of floor when possible to improve circulation. Direct stream of air from fan, vacuum cleaner or fair dryer to hasten drying.

Scrape off excess wax with dull knife. Sponge spot with grease solvent. If spot remains, use oxygen bleach. Sponge throughly with clear water.

Apply cooking oil sparingly and let stand 15 minutes. Blot up excess oil and sponge with grease solvent.

Can be partially remedied by clipping of blackened ends with small, sharp scissors. Then work in detergent solution and rinse well.

Sponge with grease solvent first, then sponge with detergent suds. If a stain remains, use oxygen bleach and rinse thoroughly.

Moisten spot and rub in full-strength liquid or granular detergent. Repeat if necessary. If color remains, use oxygen bleach. Rinse well.

Sponge with acetone or nail polish remover. Blot up the color and repeat as often as necessary.

Sponge immediately with cool water. If a stain remains, use oxygen bleach. Rinse well.

Blot with warm water. Sponge with detergent suds. Epoxy, contact, animal base, etc.– treat with solvent or thinner recommended on the container. Blot up excess. Rinse well when finished.

Same as for crayons. Or sponge with alcohol diluted with two parts water.

Sponge with grease solvent. Work liquid or granular detergent in to spot. Rinse thoroughly.

Harden gum with ice cub, then scrape off with dull knife. Sponge with grease solvent. Rinse well.

Sponge freely with cool water. Work detergent suds into spot. Rinse. Treat with oxygen bleach if necessary. Rinse well.

Flush with cool water and blot up the excess. Work in detergent suds. Rinse. Apply oxygen bleach if necessary. Rinse well.

Cannot be completely removed by spotting. Minimize stain by flushing with cool water and blotting.

Sponge with cool water. If stain remains, work detergent suds into the fabric, then rinse. If a stain remains, use oxygen bleach and rinse thoroughly.

Rub liquid or granular detergent into dampened stain. Rinse and repeat until the outline is gone. Treat with oxygen bleach if necessary. Rinse.

 Same as fruit/berry juice.

Let dry, then brush. Rinse repeatedly with cool water.

Sponge in a solution of 1/4 cup salt to a quart of lukewarm water. Wash with detergent suds. Rinse well.

Rub full-strength detergent into the stain and rinse. Repeat and use oxygen bleach if the stain persists. Rinse well.

Sponge with thinner recommended on the can, or with turpentine until paint disappears. Work full-strength detergent into stains, then rinse well. Repeat if necessary.

Scrape off gummy excess carefully to avoid damaging fibers, then sponge thoroughly with grease solvent and rinse.

Usually require professional cleaning service for removal, but fresh stains can be helped by working detergent solution into the spot and rinsing with lukewarm water.

Sponge immediately with cool water. Work liquid detergent into the stain, then rinse. Apply oxygen bleach if necessary. Rinse well.

Treat with grease solvent. Blot and sponge with detergent suds. Rinse well. Repeat if necessary.

Sponge and blot repeatedly with cool water; call Spectrum.

Sponge with turpentine. Work in full-strength detergent solution and rinse thoroughly.

It must be treated before the spot dries to be successfully removed. Sponge repeatedly with cool water. Work liquid detergent into the stain and rinse thoroughly. If still discolored, sponge with white vinegar and let stand 15 minutes before rinsing. Or cover with table talk and leave overnight.

Same as for mucus.