Stain removal guide for carpets
Easy step by step instructions for removing stains on just about anything
Notes:
- Unless otherwise advised - use COLD water
- Blot wet areas with paper towels - do not rub
Blood stain removal
- Flush the stained area with COLD water and blot with paper towels
- Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon ammonia to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
- Repeat - leaving to soak for 10 minutes - blot
- Sponge with clean water - blot
Butter or fats stain removal
- Spray stain with Vanish Preen - blot
- Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
- Rinse with clean water - blot
Candle wax stain removal
- Cover stain with paper towel - apply WARM iron
- Repeat
- Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
- Rinse with clean water - blot
Chewing gum stain removal
- Hold ice on stain to harden chewing gum - lightly scrape
- Spray with Vanish Preen and leave for 5 minutes
- Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
- Rinse with clean water - blot
Chocolate stain removal
- Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon ammonia to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
- Sponge with clean water - blot
Coffee or tea stain removal
- Blot any stains immediately
- Spray with Vanish Preen and leave for 5 minutes
- Sponge with clean water - blot
- Mix 1 tablespoon white vinegar to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
- Sponge with clean water - blot
Crayon stain removal
- Spray with Vanish Preen and leave for 5 minutes
- Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
- Rinse with clean water - blot
Glue, PVA
- Use a butter knife to scrape off as much as you can
- Only use COLD water. Mix 1 tablespoon prewash washing powder in a cup of water. Pour over the stain and leave for 30 minutes - blot
- Rinse with clean water - blot
- Repeat as necessary
Mildew or mould
- Only recent mildew or mould can be successfuly treated
- Only use COLD water. Mix 1 tablespoon oxygen bleach washing powder in a cup of water. Pour over the stain and leave for 30 minutes - blot
- Rinse with clean water with 1 teaspoon of white vinegar added - blot
- If stain persists, perform a colour test on a small area with 1 teaspoon of household bleach in a cup of water - blot
Nail polish
- Use a small amount of acetone to blot the stain with cotton wool - do not rub as this will further spread the stain
- Only use COLD water. Mix 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent to a cup of cold water. Pour over the stain - blot
- Rinse with clean water - blot
Odours
- Sprinkle baking soda over the area and leave for 1 hour - vacuum
- Mix 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to half a cup of warm water. Pour over the stain - blot
- Rinse with clean water - blot
Oil based paint
- Use a small amount of mineral turpentine to blot the stain with cotton wool - do not rub as this will further spread the stain
- Mix 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent to a cup of cold water. Pour over the stain - blot
- Rinse with clean water - blot