SPILLS AND SPOT TREATMENT
Spills and spots are inevitable, but they don’t have to be permanent. There should be an
immediate reaction to remove incidental spills, mud, oil, tar, etc., from the surface of the
carpet. These contaminants should be removed as quickly as possible to prevent the spill
on the carpet from becoming a permanent stain.
Complete removal of many common spills may require the repeated use of a single
solution or the use of a combination of solutions. Always use the spot-cleaning solutions
in the concentrations recommended.
Spills
• Act quickly! The longer the delay, the higher the probability a spill will become a
permanent stain.
• Gently scrape up solids that typically do not cause stains with a rounded spoon
and vacuum. If a stain occurs, follow the procedures for removing spots and
stains.
• Gently scrape up semi-solids that could cause stains with a rounded spoon and
vacuum. If a stain occurs, follow the procedures for removing spots and stains.
• Liquid spills should be blotted with a dry, white, absorbent cloth or plain, white
paper towels. Do not scrub the area! Continue to blot until the area is completely
dry. If a stain occurs, follow the procedures for removing spots and stains.
Removing Spots and Stains:
• Apply water to the spill first. Especially if the spot is fresh, water may be all that
is needed to remove the spill. If water doesn’t remove the spill, proceed as
follows.
• Locate the spill on the spot removal chart and follow the directions carefully.
• Pretest any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area to make 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 ten seconds. Examine the
carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a
change occurs, another cleaning solution must be selected.
• Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to a white cloth and blot.
Work from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent the spill from spreading.
Do not scrub! Blot, absorbing as much as possible, 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.
• Rinse the affected area thoroughly with clear water after the spill has been
removed. 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. Small extraction machines designed for rinsing after spot-cleaning are
an excellent investment. Dry absorbent polymer can also be used to absorb and
remove any residues lefts behind by the spot-cleaning agent.
• Place a one-half inch layer of white paper towels over the affected area to absorb
all the moisture and weigh down with a flat, heavy object that will not transfer
color. Continue to change paper towels as needed.
Spots
Caution! Read the following information carefully! Too often a carpet is damaged or
bleached when home remedies or mixtures are used without consulting a professional
source first. Many suppliers that sell cleaning and spot treatment products to professional
carpet cleaners are willing to assist you in selecting the right agents and procedures for
your situation. Be sure to always check with the carpet manufacturer to make sure what
type of cleaning chemicals can be safely used on the carpet.
Vacuum all dry spills. Pouring any liquid onto a dry spill may create additional
problems.
The following are methods of spot removal.
Volatile Solvent (A fast-evaporating dry cleaning fluid.) Exercise caution when using a
solvent. A non-flammable spot removal solution is preferred. Never pour a volatile
cleaning solvent directly onto the carpet. Volatile cleaning solvents will destroy the latex
that holds the carpet components together.
Non-volatile Solvents – (Referred to as paint, oil and grease removers.) This type of
cleaning solvent evaporates slower for more effective cleaning. Non-volatile solvents
can leave residues that may cause rapid soiling. When using a non-volatile remover,
always rinse the area thoroughly with a volatile solvent.
Nail Polish – Use nail polish removers without conditioners.
Detergent Solution – Mix ¼ teaspoon liquid, non-lanolin, hand dishwashing detergent
with one cup warm water. Mix professionally formulated detergent solutions according
to the manufacturer’s recommendations. NEVER USE A STRONGER
CONCENTRATION. (Increasing the amount of detergent beyond the recommended
level does not increase cleaning performance but makes the complete removal of
detergent more difficult.) Always use a detergent with a pH of less than 10. Thorough
rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. You may
need to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See residue
precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry
detergent of any type because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners
(fluorescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent
because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes. A professionally formulated,
neutral detergent solution, specifically designed for use on carpet, should also be
considered for consistent spot removal results.
Small portable extraction machines designed for spot cleaning are also very effective.
Warm Water Rinse – Use lukewarm tap water in most cases to rinse the spotting agent
from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause
accelerated soiling. Wicking, or reappearance of the spot as the moisture moves upward
from the backing on the carpet, will occur if contaminant is not totally removed.
NOTE: Only use cold water when removing blood stains.
Vinegar Solution – Mix one cup of white vinegar (a 5% acetic acid solution) and one
cup of water. This is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent
solutions or alkaline spills removing residue. A professional solution may also be used
(available from sanitation suppliers).
Ammonia Solution – Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia and one cup of water,
or use a professional protein spotter (available from cleaning suppliers).
Spot Removal Kit – Available from most carpet retail stores and professional carpet
cleaning suppliers. Follow directions closely! Some spot removals kits contain a
detergent solution and a stain-resist solution. Use of the stain-resist solution prior to the
complete removal of the spill may cause a permanent stain. (Other spot removal kits may
have dry absorbent cleaning products for fast spot removal). It is suggested that a
professional spotting kit be purchased and that a portable spot extractor be used.
Spot Removal Residue Precautions!
Although your detergent selection is important, it is even more important to remove all
the detergent you put into the carpet. A detergent’s ability to bind to particles of soil and
oil is what makes cleaning happen. However, the detergent residue continues to attract
and hold soil even after drying. Increasing the amount of detergent beyond the
recommended level does not increase cleaning performance but makes the complete
removal of detergent more difficult. A small, portable extractor is recommended for
efficient rinsing and spot removal. A solution of one cup white vinegar (5% acetic acid
solution) to one cup water can be used to remove heavy detergent residue. Remember:
Never use any of the solutions in concentrations stronger than those recommended.
Avoid Overwetting – Prolonged dampness may cause discoloration, promote growth of
mold and bacteria in the carpet, or cause separation of the backing. This can be
controlled by a combination of proper equipment use and operator training.
