|
The key to successful spot removal is getting to it as quick as
possible.
Keep this page bookmarked, or make a copy of it so you will be able
to refer
to it when you need it. Be sure to let your friends and family know
about
this spotting guide so they will be able to use it as well.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC SPOTS AND SPILLS
1. Acid - Apply a solution of baking soda and water until
acid has been
neutralized. Then apply ammonia solution and rinse with cold water.
2. Alcohol - Apply detergent solution. Blot. Apply vinegar
solution. Blot.
Bleach with hydrogen peroxide if necessary. Rinse with cold water.
Blot dry.
3. Blood - Scrape off dried blood and apply cool detergent
solution. Blot.
Apply cool ammonia solution. Blot. Rinse. Blot dry. If stain remains,
apply
rust remover or bleach with hydrogen peroxide.
4. Candle Wax - Scrape off all you can. Ice cubes will make
it brittle for
easier scraping. A hot iron (on low heat setting) over a damp cloth
will melt
and absorb remaining wax. Apply dry-cleaning solvent. Blot.
5. Candy - Scrape off all you can with a dull knife. Sponge
with detergent
solution. Blot. Rinse. Be sure all traces of sugar are gone. Sugars
left in
carpet will cause a rapid re-soiling problem.
6. Chocolate - Scrape off all you can first. Sponge with
dry-cleaning
solvent. Blot. Sponge with detergent solution. Blot. Rinse. If stain
remains,
bleach with hydrogen peroxide.
7. Cigarette Burns - If the burn is slight, rub with dry
steel wool — or if
you feel confident, trim the damaged tufts. If the burn is bad,
take a razor
blade and scrape some fibers from a hidden area and use super glue
to patch
the burn with the fibers.
8. Coffee - Blot with detergent solution. Rinse. Blot with
vinegar. Rinse.
Air dry. If stain remains, sponge with dry cleaning solvent. Bleach
remaining
stain with hydrogen peroxide. Coffee is a very difficult stain,
and can in
many cases be permanent.
9. Crayon - Scrape off all you can. Just as with candle
wax, use a hot iron
and a damp cloth to melt and absorb the remaining wax. Apply dry
cleaning
solvent. Blot. Apply detergent solution. Rinse. Blot dry.
10. Grass - Apply detergent solution. Blot. Rinse. Blot.
Apply ammonia
solution. Blot. Apply vinegar solution. Blot. Rinse.
11. Greasy Foods - Apply dry cleaning solvent. Work to center
to avoid ring.
Blot. Apply light detergent solution. Rinse. Blot dry.
12. Gum - Use aerosol gum freeze or ice cube to harden the
gum and make it
brittle, then strike and break into pieces. Scrape them up with
a dull butter
knife. Remove residue with dry cleaning solvent.
13. Ice Cream - Don't wait. Blot up all you can immediately
with a dry cloth.
Apply ammonia solution or protein digester. Rinse. If area is large,
shampoo
afterward.
14. Ink - Sponge with detergent solution. Rinse. If stain
remains, saturate
with cheap hair spray and blot. Always work from the outside in
to avoid
making the spot bigger.
15. Jam/Jelly - Apply detergent solution. Let sit to soften.
Blot. Apply
vinegar solution. Blot. Rinse. Blot dry.
16. Lipstick - Scrape off all you can, taking care not to
spread the stain.
Apply dry cleaning solvent and blot repeatedly until color is gone.
Apply
detergent solution. Blot. Apply ammonia solution. Blot. Rinse. Blot.
17. Mildew - Dry-brush to remove as much as possible. Sponge
area with
disinfectant solution. Blot. Sponge with ammonia. Rinse. Bleach
with hydrogen
peroxide.
18. Mud - Allow to dry and vacuum or brush off as much as
possible. Apply
detergent or ammonia solution. Blot. Rinse. Blot dry. If stain remains,
apply
dry cleaning solvent. Blot dry.
19. Mustard/Ketchup - Apply vinegar solution. Blot. Apply
detergent solution.
Blot. If stain remains apply rust remover or hydrogen peroxide solution.
Blot. Do not use ammonia or alkaline cleaners.
20. Nail Polish - Blot acetone or non-oily nail polish remover
through the
stain into a clean absorbent pad. No acetone on acetate, modacrylic,
silk, or
wool. Use amyl acetate from a pharmacy. Flush with dry cleaning
fluid.
Air-dry.
21. Oil - Apply dry cleaning solvent. Work to center to
avoid ring. Blot.
Apply light detergent solution. Rinse. Blot.
22. Paint/Varnish - Oil-based paint or varnish: if fresh,
flush with mineral
spirits. If dry, carefully soften with lacquer thinner (test first
for fabric
damage) then flush with appropriate solvent.
23. Pet Stains - Blot out all liquid possible by placing
a clean towel on the
spot and standing on it. Apply bacteria/enzyme digester according
to
directions. When dry, remove any remaining stain with detergent
solution.
Rinse. Blot dry.
24. Rust - Rub with steel wool or rust remover. If you use
professional rust
remover, be careful not to get any on your skin. Don't apply it
to glass,
porcelain or enamel surfaces. Rinse. Blot dry.
25. Shoe Polish - Gently scrape off all you can, being extra
careful not to
spread the stain. Blot dry cleaning solvent through the stain into
a clean
absorbent pad. Sponge with detergent solution. Blot. Sponge with
ammonia.
Rinse. If stain remains, try alcohol, then hydrogen peroxide.
26. Soft Drinks - Blot up all you can. Blot with detergent
solution. Rinse.
Air dry. If stain remains, soak with glycerin for 30 minutes and
rinse.
27. Tar - Scrape up all you can, then remove residue by
blotting with paint
thinner or dry cleaning solvent. Blot with detergent solution. Rinse.
Blot
dry.
28. Vomit - Scrape up as much as possible. Apply bacteria/enzyme
digester
according to directions. When dry, remove any remaining stain with
detergent
solution. Rinse. Blot dry.
|
