Carpet Cleaning Tips for Common Spills

These cleaning tips are merely suggestions for removing stains. Discretion is the sole responsibility of the user/owner. The site owners cannot guarantee the removal of these stains. Some stains may require professional assistance to avoid further damage to the carpet or fabric.

Beer Stains

Common Appearance
Yellow, yellowish brown, stiffens when dry

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Blood Stains

Common Appearance
Red to dark brown, stiffens when dry

Simple Directions
1. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply cool Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with cool water and blot dry.

Butter Stains

Common Appearance
Yellowish, brown, greasy

Simple Directions
1. Remove excess
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot

Candle Wax Stains

Common Appearance
Stiff, built up on surface

Simple Directions
1. Remove excess
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot
3. Place absorbent brown paper over spot; use electric iron on low heat; iron over paper until all wax is absorbed into the paper.

Catsup Stains

Common Appearance
Red, brown, stiffens when dry

Simple Directions
1. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply cool Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Rinse with cool water and blot dry.

Chewing Gum Stains

Common Appearance
Grey, pink, sticky

Simple Directions
1. Harden gum with ice cube; when brittle, scrape off
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot
3. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Chocolate Stains

Common Appearance
Brown, stiffen when dry, built up on surface

Simple Directions
1. Remove excess
2. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
3. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
4. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
5. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Cocktails Stains

Common Appearance
Light brown, or colorless

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Coffee Stains

Common Appearance
Brown, darkens with age

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Cough Syrup Stains

Common Appearance
Red, brown, sticky when wet, stiffens when dry

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Crayons Stains

Common Appearance
Any color, shiny, waxy

Simple Directions
1. Remove excess
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot
3. Apply Detergent Solution, blot
4. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Egg (raw) Stains

Common Appearance
White, yellow, stiffens when dry

Simple Directions
1. Remove excess
2. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
3. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Food Coloring Stains

Common Appearance
Any color, absorbed into surface

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Fruit Juice Stains

Common Appearance
Yellow, or color of fruit, absorbed appearance

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Furniture Stains

Common Appearance
Red,brown, absorbed appearance

Simple Directions
1. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot
2. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Glue (school) Stains

Common Appearance
White, clear, sticky when wet, stiffens when dry

Simple Directions
1. Apply water, blot
2. Apply Detergent Solution, blot
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Grass Stains

Common Appearance
Green/brown smudges

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Gravy Stains

Common Appearance
Brown, built up on surface

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Ice Cream Stains

Common Appearance
Any color, stiffens when dry

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Ink Stains

Common Appearance
Can be any color, usually blue or black

Simple Directions
1. (On smooth finish vinyl/leather) Use hair spray; let set; clean with Detergent Solution
2. (On carpet/fabric) Use Dry Cleaning Solvent or Isopropyl alchohol.

Lipstick Stains

Common Appearance
Oily, waxy, all colors

Simple Directions
1. Remove excess
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot
3. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Mercurochrome/Merthiolate Stains

Common Appearance
Reddish orange

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Mildew Stains

Common Appearance
Greyish brown with grey or black spots

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Milk Stains

Common Appearance
White, stiffens when dry

Simple Directions
1. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Mud Stains

Common Appearance
Grey, brown, stiff when dry

Simple Directions
1. Let dry, remove excess
2. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Mustard Stains

Common Appearance
Yellowish, brown

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Nail Polish Stains

Common Appearance
Red, pink,stiffens when dry

Simple Directions
1. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot
2. Apply Detergent Solution, blot
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Oils/Greases Stains

Common Appearance
Brown, darkens with age

Simple Directions
1. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot
2. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Oil Based Paint Stains

Common Appearance
Any color, stiffens when dry, built up on surface

Simple Directions
1. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot
2. Apply Dry cleaning fluid, weight down with tissues on spot, let stand; replace tissues and apply P/V remover periodically
3. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Water Based Paint Stains

Common Appearance
Any color, stiffens when dry

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.
4.Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.

Jam and Jelly Stains

Common Appearance
Usually reddish or blue purple; will cause stiffness of fiber

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Rubber Cement Stains

Common Appearance
Colorless, or white, sticky when wet, stiffens when dry

Simple Directions
1. Remove excess
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot
3. Apply Detergent Solution, blot
4. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Rust Stains

Common Appearance
Red, brown, usually built up on surface

Simple Directions
1. Apply rust remover
2. Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes, blot; repeat
3. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Shoe Polish Stains

Common Appearance
Black, brown, built up on surface

Simple Directions
1. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot
2. Apply Detergent Solution, blot
3. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Soft Drinks Stains

Common Appearance
Yellow, red, brown, darkens with age

Simple Directions
1. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Soot Stains

Common Appearance
Black spots, smudges

Simple Directions
1. Vacuum first, Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot
2. Apply Detergent Solution, blot
3. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Tar/Asphalt Stains

Common Appearance
Brown, black, built up on surface

Simple Directions
1. Remove excess
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot
3. Apply Detergent Solution, blot
4. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Toothpaste Stains

Common Appearance
White, green, built up on surface

Simple Directions
1. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot
3. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Urine Stains

Common Appearance
Yellow, brown, darkens with age

Simple Directions
1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Vomit Stains

Common Appearance
Various colors, built up on surface

Simple Directions
1. Remove excess
2. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
3. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Wine Stains

Common Appearance
Red, purple, absorbed appearance

Simple Directions
1. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot
3. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.