Carpet Care Tips

stan spot cleaning carpets

Spots and Spills

A good checklist to handle spills should include the items on the list below. Do not use any household cleaners other than those listed, since many household products contain chemicals that may permanently damage your carpet.

  • A solution of a mild liquid detergent (no more than 1/4 teaspoon of detergent to 32 ounces of water). A clear, non-bleach liquid dishwashing detergent such as Dawn, Joy, or clear Ivory is recommended. Do not use detergents that are cloudy or creamy because they may leave a sticky residue.
  • A solution of 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water.
  • White cloths or white paper towels.
  • An ammonia solution of one tablespoon of ammonia to one cup of water. Do not use on wool.
  • Non-oily nail polish remover
  • Chewing gum remover (freeze or solid type).
  • A quality spot remover (see below).
spot-out

Free Spot Remover
All carpet cleaning services performed by Superior Carpet Care is 100% satisfaction guaranteed, and comes with a free bottle of his professional quality "Spot Out" cleaning solution to help you maintain your beautifully cleaned carpet.

NOTE: Difficult stains on carpets made from solution-dyed fibers such as polypropylene may be removed with a mild bleach solution ( one part chlorine bleach to five parts water).

WARNING: Do not use bleach solution unless you are absolutely certain your carpet is 100% solution dyed. Carpet dyed by other systems will be damaged. If in doubt, call Stan!

General Instructions

  1. Act Fast! Prompt attention to spots and spills is essential. No carpet is stain proof, although many are stain resistant, which allows time to act.
  2. Remove as much of food spills as possible by scraping gently with a spoon or dull knife.
  3. Absorb wet spills as quickly as possible by blotting repeatedly with white paper or cloth towels.
  4. Always blot, never rub or scrub abrasively, as a fuzzy area may result. When blotting, work from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to avoid spreading the spill.
  5. Always follow up with water to remove detergent residue that may become sticky and cause rapid re-soiling.
  6. Draw out any remaining moisture by placing several layers of white towels over the spot and weigh them down with a heavy object that will not transfer color such as a plastic jug of water.

 

 

STAIN REMOVAL PROCEDURE
(see below)
Alcoholic Beverages A
Asphalt B, Stan Wynhof
Beer A
Betadine Stan Wynhof
Berries A
Blood (wet) A
Blood (dry) A-2
Butter B
Chewing Gum C
Chocolate A-2
Coffee A-1 (D if necessary)
Cola Drinks A
Cosmetics A (D if necessary)
Crayon B
De-icer (Calcium Chloride) Vacuum, A
Excrement A
Food Dyes A
Furniture Polish B, Stan Wynhof
Glue (white) A
Gravy A
Grease (Auto) B, Stan Wynhof
Grease (Food) B
Ice Cream A
Ink (Ballpoint) B, Stan Wynhof
Ink (Permanent) B, (D if necessary)
Ink (Washable) A, Stan Wynhof
Jelly A
Lipstick B
Milk A
Mud A
Mustard A, (D if necessary)
Nail Polish Polish Remover
Paint (Latex, wet) A
Paint (Latex, dry) B
Paint (Oil) B, Stan Wynhof
Rust Stan Wynhof
Shoe Polish B
Tea A. (D if necessary)
Urine A-1, Stan Wynhof
Vomit A-1
Wax C
Wine A-2

 

 

Stain Removal Procedures -
The following recommendations should be used for spot cleaning. The numbers are keyed to the stain, and all instructions should be used in the recommended sequence. Some stains are marked "Stan Wynhof", indicating that professional knowledge and equipment are necessary.

  1. Water Soluble Stains - Absorb as much as possible with white towels. Blot the stained area with white towels dampened with cool water until there is no more transfer of the stain onto the towels.

    If any of the stain remains, use the detergent solution previously described. Spray lightly onto the spot and blot repeatedly with white towels, working from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to avoid spreading.

    Rinse thoroughly by spraying with clean water, then blot or extract, do not use too much detergent because the residue will contribute to rapid re-soiling


A-1. As in A, but before using detergent, apply the white vinegar solution to a white towel and blot or spray onto spot.

A-2. As in A, but before using detergent, apply a house-hold ammonia solution to a white towel and blot or spray onto spot. Do not use on wool or wool-blend carpet. Rinse as in A.

  1. Oil-Based Stains -- Blot as much as possible with white paper towels. Apply the special oil and grease spot remover to a paper towel and repeat blotting. (protective gloves should be worn, as the solvent will quickly remove oils from the skin and could result in irritation.) Do not pour or spray directly on the carpet pile, as damage to the backing or adhesive underneath could result; use the towels to transport the solvent to the carpet. Repeat as often as necessary.

    Provide adequate ventilation! Do not use flammable solvents!
    Follow with procedures in A.

 

  1. Freeze stains such as chewing gum and candle wax with ice or a commercially available product in an aerosol can. Shatter with a blunt object and vacuum before the chips soften. Follow up with solvent as in B.

 

  1. Bleach -- WARNING -- Only carpets which are solution dyed are resistant to bleaching, but do not exceed the recommended concentration. DO NOT USE THIS PROCEDURE UNLESS YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THE CARPET IS SOLUTION DYED - CARPETS DYED BY OTHER SYSTEMS WILL BE DAMAGED. Products with olefin and nylon blends can not be exposed to bleach without removing the color from the nylon fibers unless the nylon component is solution dyed. If in doubt, call Stan at Superior Carpet Care.

Stan Wynhof -- Superior Carpet Care

 
 
 

More Maintenance Tips

bullet Vacuum frequently. A vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency filtration bag removes soils and biocontaminants from carpet and upholstery and reduces the release of respirable particles in the air. These bags are now available for most models of vacuum cleaners at retail stores that carry vacuum cleaners and accessories.
bullet Periodically have carpet and upholstery professionally cleaned. Thorough cleaning removes soil and pollutants to improve air quality. Contact Stan Wynhof at Superior Carpet Care
bullet Control the sources. Entrance mats halt tracked-in soil and contaminants. Tobacco smoke, which is trapped in carpet and upholstery fabric, is a major source of indoor pollution.
bullet Increase fresh air flow. Our ancestors knew what they were doing when they opened windows to air out buildings.
bullet Clean for Health. Carpet and upholstery fabric hide soil. Don't just clean for appearance when the accumulation of soil becomes visible.
 

 

 
 
 

Stan Wynhof — Owner