Krystal
Kleen Karpet Kare's
Spotting Guide
For other carpet related information visit
the
DuPont Stainmaster
Web site
or
The Carpet & Rug Institute's
Spot
Removal Computer
Helpful Hints
- Stain Removal Tips, Spotting
Solutions, Procedures for Common Stains (chewing
gum stains, crayon stains, shoe
polish stains, india ink stains, soot
stains)
Stain Removal Tips
- Spills and stains should be treated immediately,
where possible. The longer a spot or stain remains, the more difficult
it will be to remove.
- Blot up spills with clean, white absorbent materials.
Cotton terry towels are best because of their high absorbency. The towel
should be white to eliminate the chance of color bleeding from rag to carpet
and you can see what progress you are making during the removal process.
- Remove solid, built-up materials with a round tablespoon,
spatula, or edge of a dull knife.
- Pretest all spot removal agents in an inconspicuous
area such as under or behind a piece of furniture. Apply several drops
of solution to the carpet and rub gently with a clean white towel. If color
transfers to the cloth or a color change occurs, a professional cleaner
should be consulted.
- Do not overwet. Use small amounts of the cleaning
agents and blot frequently. Always blot, do not rub or brush.
- Work from the outer edge of the spots, towards the center
to prevent rings.
- Treat the stained area with each required spotting solution
until the stain is removed. It may not be necessary to complete
the entire series of steps. The final step is always to gently rinse the
area with water, then absorb all the remaining moisture with towels.
- Be patient. Some stains respond slowly. Not all
stains can be removed due to differences in fibers, dyes, constructions,
finishes, composition of the stain, length of time the stain has remained
on the article, etc. Some stains require professional treatment and sometimes
even the professional may not be able to remove the stain.
Spotting Solutions
- Ammonia Solution
- Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half
cup of water.
- Bleach
- Use hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate, present in
Snowy. Do not use chlorine bleach.
- Detergent Solution
- Mix one tablespoon of a colorless, mild detergent or
dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.
- Drycleaning Solvent
- Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as
Carbona, Energine, K2R. Use in small amounts - can be harmful to backings.
Do NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride.
- Enzyme Detergent
- Mix a solution of enzyme detergent following the directions
on the label. Do not soak or over wet. Allow the solution to remain on
the stain for the recommended length of time before removing.
- POG
- Paint, oil and grease remover - available in hardware
stores.
- Vinegar Solution
- Mix one-third cup of white household vinegar with two-thirds
cup of water.
Procedures for Removal of Some Common Stains
- Chewing Gum
- Stain: Grayish or pink, rubbery, sticky, built-up.
- Contains: Chicle flavoring, sugar.
- Harden gum with an ice cube until it is brittle enough
to scrape off with a dull knife or spatula.
- Apply drycleaning solvent to
remove traces.
- Crayons
- Stain: Built-up, sometimes shiny.
- Contains: Wax, grease, pigment, coloring matter.
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry
- Shoe Polish
- Stain: Usually black or brown, absorbed or built-up.
- Contains: Waxes, resins, solvents, dyes, shellac, alcohol,
tannin.
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
- If stain persists contact a professional.
- India Ink
- Stain: Absorbed, usually black.
- Contains: Pigment (carbon black) dispersed in water with
a binder.
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
- Soot
- Stain: Black spots or smudges.
- Contains: Carbon, sulphur compounds, sometimes grease.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
Helpful Hints is a
courtesy of
Krystal Kleen Karpet
Kare
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