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Protect your carpet--step by-step
No carpet is stain proof, but since many are stain resistant, you have time to act. Look below to see if the specific spill you're trying to remove is listed. If so, you'll see instructions to help. If not, use the following general quidelines. |
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Remove as much of food spills as possible by scraping gently with a spoon or a dull knife. |
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Absorb wet spills as quickly as possible by blotting repeatedly with white paper or white cloth towels. 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. |
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Remove the stain using one of the cleaning items from the checklist below. |
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Rinse the cleaned area with water to remove detergent residue that may become sticky and cause rapid re-soiling.
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Absorb any remaining moisture by placing several layers of white towels over the spot and weighing them down with a heavy object. This step is necessary even when the carpet doesn't seem particularly damp. |
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What do you use to clean the spill?
Be prepared with the following checklist.
You should use the following items for handling spills on your carpet. It's important to use only the items listed, because many other household cleaners contain chemicals that may permanently damage your carpet..
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White cloths or white paper towels |
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Detergent solution
Mix mild liquid detergent with water (no more than º 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. |
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Vinegar solution
Mix 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water.
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Ammonia solution
Mix one tablespoon of ammonia to one cup of water. (Do not use on wool or wool-blend carpets.) |
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Non-oily nail polish remover |
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Chewing gum remover (freeze or solid type) |
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Spot Remover
Use spot removers designed specifically for grease, oil, or tar, such as Carbona or Energine. |
Solution-dyed fibers can withstand bleach, but do you know if your carpet is solution-dyed?
Difficult stains on carpets made from polypropylene or other solution-dyed fibers may be removed with a mild bleach solution (one part chlorine bleach to five parts water). But be careful.
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