spot cleaning
Different stains require different treatments. Here are some tips on how to deal with the most common ones.
| Stain | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Asphalt/ Tar | White spirit or solvent spot remover followed by dry foam carpet shampoo or hot water extraction |
| Alcoholic drink | Luke-warm mild detergent solution |
| Ballpoint ink | Water then solvent spot remover |
| Blood | Apply cold water first, then a strong solution (1 teaspoon in ½ pint of water) of biological washing powder in cold water, if stain persists. (Enzymes will digest majority of the stain) |
| Butter | Scrape off, apply solvent spot remover followed by dry foam carpet shampoo |
| Candle wax | Scrape off, apply solvent spot remover followed by dry foam carpet shampoo |
| Chewing gum | Apply freeze spray chewing gum remover, scrape the residue, then carpet shampoo |
| Chocolate | Cold water followed by dry foam carpet shampoo |
| Coca Cola | Water or mild detergent solution |
| Coffee, cocoa or drinking chocolate | Wash immediately with cold or warm mild detergent solution, followed by solvent spot remover to remove residual fat |
| Cigarette burns | Scrape off carefully using a sharp short bladed knife, then treat with a lukewarm mild detergent solution. In the case of a severe burn on burmatex carpet, a leather punch (1½” diameter) can be used to cut out the burn and then the area filled by a circle from the carpet remnants |
| Egg | Cold water followed by a solution of biological washing powder or mild detergent solution |
| Excrement | Mild detergent solution |
| Felt marker | Wash immediately with water and if necessary with solvent spot remover |
| Fat, oil or grease | Solvent spot remover followed by mild detergent solution |
| Fat containing foodstuffs | Lukewarm biological washing powder solution (1 teaspoon in ½ pint of warm water). If stain persists after drying, solvent spot remover can be used |
| Ink | First water then solvent spot remover |
| Jam | Lukewarm water, mild detergent solution |
| Lipstick | Solvent spot remover followed by mild detergent solution |
| Milk | Solvent spot remover followed by dry foam carpet shampoo |
| Nail varnish | Acetone (not nail varnish remover) |
| Oil paint | Apply white spirit immediately. Old oil paint stains are very difficult to remove |
| Plasticine | Scrape off then use chewing gum freeze spray. Scrape again, then use solvent spot remover |
| Rust | See specialist cleaner for removal |
| Red wine | Apply cold water first, then a solution (1 teaspoon in ½ pint of water) of biological washing powder in cold water |
| Shoe polish | Solvent spot remover or white spirit |
| Soot | Vacuum then treat with dry foam carpet shampoo |
| Tea | Lukewarm mild detergent solution |
| Urine | Diluted white vinegar solution (acetic acid) followed by mild detergent solution. For old stains consult a professional cleaner |
| Vomit | Mild detergent solution then treat with diluted protein spot remover |
| White wine | Water then mild detergent if necessary |
spot remover kits
Spot remover kits are available from Prochem Ltd. and their distributors (tel: 0208-974-1515).
Solvent spot remover is a generic term for proprietary preparations, which can be obtained at local hardware shops. Compositions can vary so due care to the instructions on the label should be taken.
on-site cleaning
Hot water extraction is recommended provided the carpet/carpet tile has been properly installed with the correct adhesive. If necessary, contact Prochem for details on equipment, chemicals or cleaning problems on 0208-974-1515.
