Spot cleaning
Different stains require different treatments. Here are some tips on how to deal with the most common ones. For comprehensive maintenance instruction please download burmatex carpet tiles and sheet maintenance guide.
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.
Download burmatex carpet tile maintenance guide.