Spot Cleaning Advice
Basic Rules of Stain Removal
- If dry, always vacuum first!
- ALWAYS USE GLOVES, particularly with Dry Cleaning Fluids
- Attend to liquid spills promptly.
- Dilute with cold water and soak up excess
- Repeat for as long as you are achieving a positive result.
- DO NOT SCRUB! Blot or use a “tapping” action only if needed
- Avoid bleach-based products
- Leave carpets as dry as possible, do not soak the carpets, use all cleaning agents sparingly
- Don’t over wet with solvents (eg turps and dry cleaning fluid), they can damage the carpet backing.
If you can’t remove a fresh stain, call a Carpet Cleaning Perth Association of WA member to attend to it as soon as possible. Not allowing it to set can make it easier to remove.
Check out our list of available Technicians Page, all certified members of the Carpet Cleaning Association of WA, and ready to assist!
Stain Removers likely to be in your home:
- Detergent solution (1 teaspoon Dish Washing liquid to 1Lt of water) or a good, WoolSafe approved carpet stain remover
- Methylated Spirits
- Cloudy Ammonia (1 part ammonia to 15 parts water)
- Mineral Turps
- Dry Cleaning Fluid (e.g. White Spirit)
- White Wine Vinegar (1 part vinegar to 1 part water)
Warning: NEVER use any product that contains bleach, as it may remove colour and in the case of wool, destroy it!!
| Stain type | Difficulty | Directions |
|---|---|---|
| Blood | Difficult | Rinse with a mild detergent solution + cold water. Rinse further with cloudy ammonia solution. Rinse with vinegar solution |
| Dyes (e.g. cordials, soft drinks) | Extremely difficult | Best left to a Carpet Cleaning Technician |
| Coffee | Can be difficult | Detergent solution, blot, vinegar solution then blot |
| Tea | Can be difficult | Detergent solution, blot, vinegar solution then blot |
| Beer | Easy | Detergent solution, then rinse with small amounts of fresh water |
| Lipstick | Medium | Apply Dry Cleaning Fluid to a clean white cloth and dab at the mark – do not rub, detergent solution sparingly, rinse sparingly with fresh water |
| Make up | Can be hard | Vacuum, Apply Dry Cleaning Fluid to a clean, white cloth and dab at the mark – do not rub, detergent solution sparingly, rinse sparingly with fresh water |
| Nail Polish | Can be difficult | Use acetone based nail polish remover, DO NOT RUB! Colour may transfer to carpet fibre, call an Carpet Cleaning Association of WA technician if this is the case |
| Soup | Easy | Blot first, detergent solution sparingly, blot again, fresh water rinse and blot |
| Grease or oil | Easy | Apply Dry Cleaning Fluid to white absorbent cloth, dab or wipe the mark, do not scrub. |
| Ink or Biro | Hard | Can use Methylated Spirits or Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing liniment) if still fresh. Apply to clean white cloth and dab at the spot, do not scrub |
| Paint(water based) | Can be difficult | Apply methylated spirits sparingly, agitate lightly, wipe with absorbent cloth. |
| Paint (oil based) | Difficult | Apply Mineral Turpentine when still wet sparingly – Note: too much will damage carpet backing!! |
| Rust | Extremely difficult | Application of lemon juice + light agitation may sometimes have an effect. |
| Pot plant stains | Reasonably easy if fresh, difficult if old | Apply white wine vinegar, leave for several minutes, then blot |
| Red wine | Easy when fresh | Blot up spill, apply white wine, blot, apply Bicarbonate of Soda |
| Urine | Difficult | Apply ammonia solution when fresh, rinse with fresh water and blot, apply white wine vinegar solution, blot |
| Vomit | Moderately difficult | Will depend on what has been ingested, but normally a good carpet detergent will remove most of the stain whilst fresh |
| Wood stains | Extremely diffcult | Consult a Carpet Cleaning Association of WA member |
| Tomato sauce | Fairly easy | Detergent solution, ammonia solution if needed, rinse + blot, then vinegar solution and blot |
| Fat | Fairly easy | Warm – hot water with detergent solution, blot |
| Wax | Very Difficult | Consult a Carpet Cleaning Association of WA member |
| Crayon | Difficult | Methylated Spirits or White Spirits may work |
| Jam | Easy | Detergent solution, blot, warm fresh water rinse, blot |
| Chocolate | Easy | Detergent solution, blot, warm fresh water rinse, blot |
| Mould | Extremely difficult | Consult a Carpet Cleaning Association of WA member |