02/11/2022
This is the time of year I get a lot of stain questions. First know the fiber type of your carpet. Don’t let stains set. The longer they are neglected the more difficult they are to get rid of. Follow the right removal technique for the right stain.
A) Selection
• When selecting carpet color, you should view large carpet samples during the day and by lamplight in the evening in the area of installation. The color you choose will look different under different lighting conditions.
• Light colored carpets will show more soil and require more maintenance than dark colored carpets. Darker colors of carpeting are more effective in high traffic areas. Multicolored and patterned carpets are especially effective in hiding soil.
• The performance and quality of a carpet is directly related to the amount and quality of fiber that goes into the pile. The better the fiber and the denser it is packed, the better the carpet’s performance. Thin, less dense carpet will lose its surface appearance faster. Mohawk recommends buying the highest quality carpet you can afford.
😎 Stain Removal
Most household spills can be easily removed using the steps below. Treatment of the affected area should begin immediately upon discovery as stain removal becomes more difficult with time. To start, locate your stain on the Common Stains Chart and follow these steps:
• First, use a spoon, dull knife, or a carpet cleaning key to remove as much solid material as possible.
• Always work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading, especially with large stains.
• Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.
• For best results try to remove the remaining stain with warm water.
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PROCEDURE A (For water-based, special water-based and greasy, oil-based stains)
• Mix a solution of 1⁄4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.
• Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
• Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently.
• Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers. If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain. Do not oversaturate carpet;
use small amounts of solution and blot frequently.
• Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.
• Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.
• Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed.
• If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy colorfast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
• Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
• If stain remains, perform Procedure B (for coffee, tea or urine, skip Procedure B and perform Procedure C).
PROCEDURE B (Do NOT use on coffee, tea or urine stains)
• Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
• Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Procedure A.
• Do not dry with paper towels. Follow Procedure C to neutralize the ammonia solution.
PROCEDURE C
• Mix 1⁄2 cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
• Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Procedure A.
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COMMON STAINS
Most Common Water-Based Stains
For these stains, start with Procedure A. If stain remains, complete Procedures B and C.
Alcohol
Baby formula
Beer
Blood
Candy
Chocolate milk
Clay
Cola
Cologne
Cranberry juice F***s
Felt-tip marker
Food stains (general) Fruit juice
Fruit punch Furniture polish
(water-based)
Special Water-Based Stains
Grape juice Graphite Ice cream Jelly Ketchup Latex paint Liquor Milk
Soft drinks Soil spots Syrup Tomato juice Vomit
Water colors Watermelon Whiskey Wine
For these stains, start with Procedure A. If stain remains, complete Procedure C. Omit Procedure B.
Coffee Tea Urine
Greasy, Oil-Based Stains
For these stains, use Goo Gone®. Follow directions on package, then complete Procedures A, B and C.
Butter Chocolate Cooking oil Cosmetics Crayon Furniture dye Furniture polish (oil-based) Glue*
Gravy
Grease (black) Gum*
Hand cream Ink
Lipstick Margarine Mascara Mayonnaise Nail polish Oil
Oil paint Ointment Peanut butter Rouge
Salad dressing Spaghetti Varnish
Wax*
*Freeze and remove solid materials before using cleaning fluid.
Important: Do not use any cleaner with a pH of 10 or higher. Before using, always test cleaners on a small, non-visible area for any discoloration of the pile.
Abnormally large or excessive stains may require hot water extraction method. Professional cleaning is recommended. If stain returns— a condition known as “wicking”— simply repeat stain removal procedures, paying special attention to blotting and removal of all moisture.
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