Carpet Stain Removal Guide

Household spots commonly needing attention usually fall in one of two main categories. They are either water-based or oil-based. Occasionally they are a combination of the two. There is also a special category of water based spots that are really dyes, like tea and coffee. Urine is water-based but is both a dye and a salt and it can bleach carpet if not properly neutralized.

Refer to the Dial-a-spot found in your ServiceMaster Clean Emergency Spot Kit, or follow these instructions for a simple but effective formulation:

Water-Based Stains

Step 1

1. Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials. For liquid spills, blot up with a white towel or paper towel.
2. For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the centre to prevent spreading.
3. Mix a solution of ¼ teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.
4. Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibres in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
5. Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibres.
6. If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.
7. Wet the stained carpet fibres with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.
8. Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy, colour-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
9. Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
10. If stain remains, proceed to step 2.

Step 2 (Do NOT use on coffee, tea or urine stains.)

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
2. Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
3. Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to Step 3 to neutralize the ammonia solution.

Step 3

1. Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.
2. Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.

Special Water-Based Stains

• Coffee
• Tea
• Urine

Step 1

1. For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading.
2. Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.
3. Mix a solution of ¼ teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.
4. Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
5. Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers.
6. If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.
7. Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear lukewarm water to rinse.
8. Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.
9. Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed.
10. If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
11. Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
12. If stain remains, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2

Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.
Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.

Oil-Based Stains

Note: * Freeze and remove solid materials before using cleaning fluid.

Step 1

1. Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials
2. For these stains, use a citrus solvent applied directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.

Step 2

1. For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading.
2. Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.
3. Mix a solution of ¼ teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.
4. Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
5. Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers.
6. If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.
7. Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.
8. Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
9. Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
10. If stain remains, proceed to Step 3.

Step 3 (Do NOT use on coffee, tea or urine stains)

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
2. Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.
3. Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to Step 4 to neutralize the ammonia solution.

Step 4

1. Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.
2. Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.