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Carpet Maintenance Spotting Guide:
Consumer Spots and Stains on Rugs and Carpets
What To Do About Stains
First and foremost, for any stain type, act quickly. Pick up any solids that are easily removable. In the case of muddy footprints, wait until they are thoroughly dry, then vacuum.
Two Basic Types of Stains Appear On Carpet
Water-Soluble, which include most food, beverage, urine, and vomit.
Solvent-Soluble, which include oils, greases, tar, crayon, lipstick, and butter.
Please Note: After all spotting procedures, you should use a neutralizing rinse to remove any traces of detergent.
Treatment for Stain Removal
To remove water-soluble stains:
You will first need to make a detergent solution. Mix 1 teaspoon of mild detergent (such as Ivory Liquid) into 1 pint of lukewarm water.
Do NOT use automatic dishwasher detergent or any other solution containing bleach.
Sponge the detergent mixture onto the the water-soluble stain, and work the solution from the outer edges toward the center of the stain.
A lather will form. Gently sponge off this lather with clear, cold water until all visible signs of the suds have disappeared.
Bane-Clene’s Perky® Spotter may be used directly from the container - just follow the directions on the bottle.
Be sure to rinse out any spotting chemical that you are using.
NEVER use chemical color brighteners.
Follow with a neutralizing rinse.
To remove solvent-soluble stains:
Use odorless mineral spirits or alcohol.
Bane-Clene’s Saf-T-Solv & Enviro-Citrus APS™ spotters are even better.
Apply the solvent to the stain by gently blotting with a cloth.
NEVER pour a solvent directly from the container onto the carpet.
Solvents, if poured on the stain, may cause the glue (latex) holding the carpet to the backing to become loose.
After the solvent-soluble stain has been removed, follow with the detergent solution procedure outlined above.
To perform a neutralizing rinse:
Mix 1 tablespoon of WHITE vinegar into 1 pint of cold water.
Sponge this mixture lightly onto the affected area.
The vinegar will neutralize detergent residue that may remain in the carpet or that may wick to the surface during the drying process.
Blot as much of the moisture out of the area as possible by using absorbent white cloth towelling or paper towels.
Never use newspaper or anything with print.
Finally, lay a dry white absorbent towel over the area and weight with a heavy object, at least overnight.
After the area is dry, brush lightly to restore the normal texture of the carpet pile.
Consumer Spotting Guide
Chart for Spot & Stain Guides
Consumer Information For Removing
Spots and Stains on Rugs and Carpets
Spot Removal Guide
Consumer Version
General Spotting Information
Consumers must understand that this is only a guide to stain and spot removal from your carpets and upholstery, Care must be taken when performing any of this steps. Schuh’s Services does not assume and liability of any type to this procedures or results of them.
Care must be taken not to damage or discolor your good. By using this outlined procedures you the consumer assumes all responsibility to the end results and agree to relive Schuh’s Services of all liability.
Citrus Spotters:
A number of years ago, the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) department found that the by-product d-limonene could be used as an effective solvent, often replacing petroleum solvents in many applications.
When citrus fruits are juiced, the oil is pressed out of the rind. This oil is separated from the juice and distilled to recover certain flavor and fragrance compounds. The bulk of the oil is left behind and collected and is food grade d-limonene. After the juicing process, the peels are conveyed to a steam extractor. This extracts more of the oil from the peel. When the steam is condensed, a layer of oil floats on the surface of the condensed water. This is technical grade d-limonene.
In the past decade, the use of d-limonene has expanded tremendously. Much of the product goes into industrial uses, but the largest growth segment has been in cleaning products. d-limonene is a very versatile chemical that can be used in a wide variety of applications.
From a personal safety standpoint, d-limonene citrus is a much safer product than most other solvents. It is much less toxic than mineral spirits. d-Limonene has been classified as a slight skin irritant, but it is not carcinogenic or mutagenic. d-Limonene does not contain any ozone depleting chemicals, but is currently regulated as a VOC (volatile organic compound). The VOC status of the product is being evaluated for possible exclusion. d-Limonene is listed as a non-toxic chemical in TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) and is not regulated by the Clean Air Act.
d-Limonene evaporates very slowly, unlike many other solvents, which can create problems if improperly used.
Additionally, because it is a natural product, availability (and cost) can vary tremendously depending on crop failures, etc.
d-Limonene is used in several types of spotters distributed and makes a great AlterNet for solvent spotters or mineral spirits.
Please Note: After all spotting procedures, you should use a neutralizing rinse to remove any traces of detergent.