Member of The Approved Carpet Cleaners Association. No. 0011
T: 01263 833424 M: 07876 497897
Sometimes I get called out for
those little disasters that can happen. The photo's below show a wine stain
that looked quite disastrous, what I call a spectacular. I was able to rinse
away any prior treatments and then remove the stain following established
procedures.
What to do when it
happens to you.
I recommend calling in a
professional carpet cleaner to deal with spots and stains. In an emergency
please call us first, it may save you an insurance claim, my advice is free and
we can discuss the best action to take. In general terms the following steps
will help but before attempting this please call.
DISCLAIMER PLEASE NOTE.
The following is offered as
a general procedure and is in no way definitive. I do not recommend attempting
stain removal without calling a professional first and the following is carried
out at your own risk.
- Call your local professional, click the TACCA logo to
the right and enter your postcode, or call me and I can advise. It is
easier to remove a stain in its original state whilst it is still wet.
Once a stain is dry it can become permanent, particularly with dye stains
like wine. There are a range of treatments specific to each task and stain
we have available to us and the equipment necessary to remove residues and
neutralise treatments.
- I always recommend removing any solids with a blunt
knife or scraper and then blotting the stain with a pad of absorbent
towels and absorbing as much of the stain as possible into the pad. It's
tempting but do not rub the pile, it will push the stain deeper and could
distort or burst the pile.
- Avoid stain removers unless it has been tested on your carpet.
Some will lighten your carpet or even bleach them, others can leave a soap
residue which will lead to the area attracting dust and re-soiling. If
they are used test first, follow instructions and never use neat unless
advised to do so. Washing up liquids, laundry detergent, bleach,
disinfectants and oxygen washing powder additives are not suitable for
carpet cleaning and can cause serious damage. Always use protective
clothing and gloves and always follow manufacturer’s instruction and
observe health and safety precautions.
- Some useful hints and tips. Allways test
any solution in an inconspicuous area first to check for colour or texture
change. Never over wet and use solutions little and often. Blot well and
dry between treatments. Work from the outside of a stain toward the
centre. Use white towels or face cloths to avoid colour migration. Use
laundered towels, they are more absorbent and it will ensure all manufacturing
treatments are removed. Below are some basic solutions that can help with
many basic stains although unfortunately not all stains can be removed.
There can be a chemical reaction which may change colour and texture, dye
stains in particular like ink, wine, tea, coffee and juice can be
permanent. I will allways assess the damage and advise accordingly.
- Vinegar & Water Solution. Use 100ml
white vinegar mixed with 400ml of water in a clean spray bottle. Ideal as
a final phase and rinse for neutralising soaps.
- Surgical Spirit. Your local chemist may have this in stock but you will need to
ask for it. Ensure adequate ventilation by opening windows and doors and
follow manufacturer’s health and safety precautions. Solvents are more
effective dry so use before applying water or detergents on oil based
stains. Start here for tar, gum, paint spots, oil etc. Use a very small
amount and introduce to a clean white towel and apply the towel to the
stain, hold for 30 to 60 seconds. If there is no transfer of the stain to
the towel do not apply again and allow to evaporate. Never
pour directly on to the carpet as it can cause severe damage. If there is
transfer allow for evaporation and apply again until there is no further
improvement. Use the detergent solution as directed below in a
spray bottle, blot dry then spray the Vinegar & Water solution. Use a
dry folded white towel over the stain and apply weight, leave until dry,
replacing towel as necessary.
- Apply plain water first. The aim is to dilute the stain and
the best way is a spray bottle which will avoid saturation, do not over
wet. You might also rinse a white face cloth in cold water and wring until
damp and apply (add a weight or stand on towel). Allow 2 minutes then blot
the area dry again. Keep going and remove as much staining as
possible. If this does not work move onto a detergent solution.
- Detergent Solution. Use a large
bowl or I prefer a spray bottle (rinse the bottle well and run water
through the sprayer head to remove contaminates). Add 5ml or one teaspoon
of detergent suitable for use on wool to every 300ml of warm water. Add
the detergent to water to avoid foaming, gently shake or stir to mix.
Spray the area allow 2 minutes then blot the area dry. Re-apply as necessary
until there is no further improvement. Finally spray the Vinegar &
Water Solution over the area then cover with a dry folded white towel and
apply weight, leave until dry, replacing towel as necessary.
- Detergent & Vinegar Solution. Add 5ml or one teaspoon of white vinegar to the same detergent
solution above. If the detergent solution does not work follow up with
Detergent & Vinegar Solution. Spray the area allow 2 minutes then blot
the area dry. Re-apply as necessary until there is no further improvement.
Finally spray the Vinegar & Water Solution over the area then cover
with a dry folded white towel and apply weight, leave until dry, replacing
towel as necessary.
- Final Rinse. Use the Vinegar & Water Solution following use
of all solutions above as a final rinse. Spray the treatment area and then
blot excess moisture. Fold fresh white towels over the area and apply
weight which will encourage more residue into the towel.
- There are more specialist solutions available to professional
carpet cleaners leave any further treatment to them.
Simon Demmen
ARENA CLEANING
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