True Cleaning, Inc.
1265 Grand Oaks Drive
Howell, MI 48843
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101 Carpet Spill Removal Tips

All spots in the following section can be removed by using household ingredients, however some spots may require a professional to remove them.  If the spot is still visible or you are unsure about how to treat it, call the spot removal experts at True Cleaning, 517-586-4020 for a free estimate.

General Advice

• First test home remedy on an inconspicuous place to test for color damage.
• Remove as much of the spill or spot as possible without spreading or working the substance into the fibers.
• Dampen the spot with water.
• Closely follow the directions given below for your specific spot.
• Place a clean white towel over the spot and gently pat.
• Look to see if the is lifting.  Rinse again and pat dry.
• If the spot is visible when the area is completely dry, try another dose of the remover or call a professional.

Due to the wide variety of spotting agents, the chemicals used prior, and the fibers they are used on, we can assume no responsibility for any damage occurring. Always proceed with caution and only after pre-testing each cleaning agent.

Acetone (Fingernail Polish and Polish Remover
Adhesive Residue
Alcohol
Asphalt (Driveway Sealer, Creosote, & Tar
Ball Point Pen Ink
Battery Acid
Beer
Berries
BHT Yellowing
Bleach
Blood
Butter
Calcium Chloride Ice Melt, Ice Melt Salt, Snow Melting Compound
Candy
Calamine Lotion
Calamine Lotion
Carbon Black, Carbon Paper, Dry Photocopier Toner, Fingerprint Powder, Soot
Chalk, Carpenter's Chalk
Cheese
Chewing Gum
Children's Medicines/Cough Syrup and Liquid Vitamins
Chocolate, Creme de Menthe
Cigarette Burns
Clay
Coffee/Tea
Colas and other Soft Drinks
Cranberry Juice
Crayons
Crepe Paper and Felt Pad Dyes
Dandruff Shampoos
Driveway Sealer
Dry Erase Marker
Duco Cement
Eggs
Ether
Fabric Softeners
Excrement
Feces
Felt Pad Dye
Food Coloring/Popsicles
Furniture Polish
Furniture Stain
Gasoline
Gelatin
Gentian Violet
Glass Cleaner (Windex, etc.)
Glue
Grape Juice
Gravy
Grease from Vehicles
Gum
Hair Dyes
Hand Lotion
Hair Spray
Hot Glue
Hydrogen Peroxide (Also Found in Many Acne Medications)
Ice Cream
Ink (India, Permanent, & Felt Tip Markers)
Ink (Water Soluble)
Insecticides
Iodine
Jute Stain
Kerosene/Fuel Oil,
Ketchup
Linseed Oil
Lipstick
Mascara
Merthiolate
Mildew on Fibers Other than Olefin
Mildew on Olefin (polypropylene)
Milk
MIxed Drinks
Miracle Grow
Mucous
Mucous
Mustard
Nail Polish
Odor
Oil
Orange Juice
Paint (Latex)
Paste
Permanent Marker
Phenol ( 1%)
Plant Stains
Plaster
Pollen
Potting Soil
Road Salt
Rubber Cement
Rust
Shoe Polish (Liquid)
Salad Oil
Shoe Polish (Paste/Wax)
Silly Putty
Soft Drink
Soil Filtration
Starch
Soot
Syrup
Toothpaste
Tree Sap
Urine
Varnish
Vaseline
Vomit
Water Color Paints
Wax (Paraffin and Candle)
Wine
Zinc Oxide (Desitin)

Acetone (Fingernail Polish and Polish Remover
Acetone is the main ingredient found in most non-oil based fingernail polishes and removers. This substance tends to evaporate quickly and can dissolve acetate fibers. This solvent is capable of penetrating the carpet backing and may cause the carpet to come unglued.

Remedy: Mix solution of 1 scant teaspoon of liquid HAND dish washing liquid with 1 cup of lukewarm water. Pat the solution onto the spill and then blot with a clean, dry, white towel.      

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Adhesive Residue
To remove an adhesive residue or tape from carpet try using rubbing alcohol to loosen the adhesive. If this does not work try a commercial remover such as Goo Be Gone.

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Alcohol
Soak area with cold water and blot with white towel

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Asphalt (Driveway Sealer, Creosote, & Tar
This substance needs to be removed when fresh or it will yellow and remove protective coatings from the fibers.

Remedy: Make sure the area is well ventilated. For small areas of stain, put a small amount of a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel and pat it onto the area to be cleaned. (NOTE: Pouring the cleaning fluid directly on the carpet can remove any latex glue that is holding the carpet backing together.) Next, blot with a mixture of 1 scant teaspoon of liquid hand dishwashing soap for each cup of lukewarm water used. Pat this mixture onto the stained area with a clean, white towel. Place several layers of WHITE paper towels onto the stain area and weight it down with a heavy, flat object for about 18 hours. This should pull the residue and dampness into the paper toweling.

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Ball Point Pen Ink
Caution: Nail polish remover is highly flammable and capable of dissolving fibers made of acetate.

Remedy: Using white unprinted paper toweling, blot the ink stain to remove any remaining wet ink. Next, blot the area with an acetone-based nail polish remover or hairspray. You should be able to see the stain lifting. Then, if the spot is on clothing, launder as usual. If the spot is on carpeting, follow the polish remover or hairspray with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid that has been poured onto a clean white towel. (Note: Pouring the cleaning fluid directly on the carpet can remove any latex glue that is holding the carpet backing together.) Blot the area with a mixture of 1 scant teaspoon of liquid hand dishwashing soap for each cup of lukewarm water used. Follow this with a solution of 2 tablespoons of household ammonia for each cup of water used and pat into the area. Then blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar for each 2 cups of water used. Next, pat the area with lukewarm water on a clean, white towel. Place several layers of WHITE paper towels onto the stain area and weight it down with a heavy, flat object for about 18 hours. This should pull the residue and dampness into the paper toweling.

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Battery Acid
Sprinkle with baking soda immediately until the fizzing stops. Remove carefully. Permanent damage may occur.

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Beer
Remedy: Blot the affected area with a clean, white, absorbent towel to absorb as much fluid as possible. If it is a large spill place several layers of white, unprinted paper toweling on the stain area and weight it down with a heavy, flat object for about 18 hours. Next, make a solution of 1 scant teaspoon of liquid hand dishwashing soap for each cup of lukewarm water used and pat with a with a clean, white towel with a little lukewarm water on it.      If the stain has not lifted make a mixture of 2 tablespoons of household ammonia for each cup of water and pat into the affected area. Then, blot with a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar for every 2 cups of water, and then pat with lukewarm water with a clean, white towel. Place several layers of white paper towels onto the affected area and weight it down with a heavy, flat object for about 18 hours. This should pull the residue and dampness into the paper toweling.

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Berries
Remedy: Blot the area with a clean, dry, absorbent, white towel. If the stain is large, place several layers of white paper towels onto the affected area and weight it down with a heavy, flat object until the following day before you try to remove the stain. Pat the area with a mixture of ¼ cup liquid hand dishwashing soap for every cup of lukewarm water. Use a white towel to pat the area with lukewarm water. Make a solution consisting of 2 tablespoons of household ammonia per each cup of water and then pat the mixture over the stained area. Then blot with a mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar per every 2 cups of water. Pat the area with a clean, white towel. Place several layers of white paper towels onto the affected area and weight it down with a heavy, flat object for about 18 hours. This should pull the residue and dampness into the paper toweling.

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BHT Yellowing
Butylated Hydroxy-Toluene, is a preservative used in rebond pad and bread which leaves a yellow mark. Apply a solution of 10% citric acid (available at drugstores) leave overnight. Vacuum in the morning

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Bleach
You can expect to have permanent color damage on most fibers, and if it is made of wool or cotton, the fibers will be affected and in the case of wool, dissolved. You may need to contact a carpet repair specialist to re-dye the area.

Remedy: First, blot off excess with a clean, dry, white absorbent towel. Then the bleach must be neutralized. Mix 2 ounces of Rit Dye’s Color Remover or a product called White Wash. Pour the mixture directly onto the spill and work in. (Warning: It is possible that this mixture will also cause bleaching.) Pat the area with lukewarm water on a clean, white towel. Make a mixture of a scant teaspoon of liquid hand dishwashing soap per each cup of lukewarm water and pat into the affected area. Pat the area with lukewarm water on a clean, white towel.      

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Blood
Remedy: First pat the area dry with a clean, dry, white absorbent towel. Then, make a solution of 2 tablespoons of household ammonia for each cup of water used, and pat mixture into the affected area. If this does not completely remove the stain, apply 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (household strength) to the area and then tamp in lukewarm water with a clean, white towel.
(Warning: It is possible that the peroxide will bleach out the fibers in the carpet). Place several layers of white paper towels to the affected area and weight it down with a heavy, flat object for about 18 hours. This should pull the residue and dampness into the paper toweling.

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Butter
Remedy: Scrape up any excess butter, then pat with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a clean, white towel. (NOTE: Pouring the solvent directly on the carpet will loosen the latex glue that holds the layers of carpet backing together.) Blot the area with a mixture of 1 scant teaspoon of liquid hand dishwashing soap for each cup of lukewarm water used. Follow this with a solution of 2 tablespoons of household ammonia for each cup of water used, patted into the area. Then blot with a solution of 1 cup of WHITE vinegar for each 2 cups of water used. Next, pat the area with lukewarm water on a clean, white towel.

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Calcium Chloride Ice Melt, Ice Melt Salt, Snow Melting Compound
Remedy: If the area is dry, vacuum the area thoroughly. If the area is wet, blot it dry with a clean, dry, white, absorbent towel. Next, mix a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar for every 2 cups of water used and pat into the affected area. Pat the area with lukewarm water on a white towel. Blot the area until dry with a clean, dry, white, absorbent towel.

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Candy
Remove all loose candy pieces. Blot with alcohol and white towel then cold water.

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Calamine Lotion
Remove as much as possible with white paper towel and a dull knife. Apply rubbing alcohol to a white cloth or cotton ball and blot in one direction.

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Calamine Lotion
Remove as much as possible with white paper towel and a dull knife. Apply rubbing alcohol to a white cloth or cotton ball and blot in one direction.

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Carbon Black, Carbon Paper, Dry Photocopier Toner, Fingerprint Powder, Soot
            DO NOT GET THESE SUBSTANCES WET INITIALLY!!!

Remedy: Thoroughly vacuum the affected area; continue even after you no longer see the dust. Pat a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid onto the area with a clean, white towel. (NOTE: Pouring the solvent directly on the carpet will loosen the latex glue that holds the layers of carpet backing together.) Blot the area with a mixture of 1 scant teaspoon of liquid hand dishwashing soap for each cup of lukewarm water used. Then rinse by blotting the area with lukewarm water on a clean, white towel. Finish by patting the area dry with a clean, dry, white, absorbent towel.

Note: Sometimes the ink on carbon paper can be removed more easily with alcohol than with dry cleaning fluid. Test a small area to see which will work best on your particular stain.

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Chalk, Carpenter's Chalk
Remedy: Vacuum the affected area thoroughly. Mix a solution of 1 cup white vinegar for every 2 cups of water used and blot onto the stain with a clean, white towel. Carpenter’s chalk contains a dye that may be a little more difficult to remove. If the vinegar solution does not completely remove the stain, try blotting it with alcohol.

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Cheese
Blot with white paper towel to remove as much of the stain as possible then neutralize with an ammonia solution (1 tablespoon of clear household ammonia to 1/2 cup of water). Saturate spot with the ammonia solution using spray bottle. Do not wet backing. Blot with a white paper towel to remove excess moisture. Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot. (To make the detergent solution mix 1/4 teaspoon of a hand dish washing detergent which does not contain lanolin or bleach with 1 quart of water; examples of safe detergents are Dawn® and Joy®.) Use a blotting motion to work the detergent into the affected area. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with a white paper towel until spot is removed. Rinse with tap water using a spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture. Spray lightly with water, do not blot this time; apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry. If there is still some stain on the carpet and blotting is not removing it, then moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let stand for on (1) hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Light will cause peroxide to change back to water so no rinsing is necessary. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

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Chewing Gum
Remedy: Put a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and hold against the gum until it becomes brittle and can be pulled of. If any gum still remains, blot it with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a clean, white towel. (NOTE: Pouring the solvent directly on the carpet will loosen the latex glue that holds the layers of carpet backing together.) Scrape up any remaining gum and retreat with the dry cleaning fluid.

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Children's Medicines/Cough Syrup and Liquid Vitamins
Remedy: Pat the area with alcohol until the residue is totally removed. Make a solution consisting of ¼ cup of liquid hand dishwashing detergent for each cup of lukewarm water used, then dip a clean, white towel into the solution and pat the area. Then, blot the affected area until dry with a clean, dry, white, absorbent towel. Place several layers of white paper towels onto the affected area and weight it down with a heavy, flat object for about 18 hours. This should pull the residue and dampness into the paper toweling.

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Chocolate, Creme de Menthe
Remedy: Scrape off excess or absorb with a clean, white towel. Blot with lukewarm water on a clean, white towel. Next, pat the area with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of household strength ammonia for every cup of water used. Make a solution of 1 scant teaspoon of liquid hand dishwashing soap for every dup of lukewarm water used and tamp into the area. Blot this with lukewarm water on a white towel. If stain remains, blot with a mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar for every 2 cups of water used and then pat until dry with a clean dry, white, absorbent towel.

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Cigarette Burns
Snip away the singed edges with fine manicure scissors or a razor blade. With tweezers pull the severely burned fibers out and discard. Remove clean carpet strands from another hidden area in the room or carpet sample. Apply glue to the burned area and press the clean fibers into the spot. Press area with a heavy object for several days before walking on it.

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Clay
Remedy: First, thoroughly vacuum the affected area. If the clay came from a broken flowerpot, you may need to pat a solution comprised of 1 cup of white vinegar for every 2 cups of water into the area, and then blot with a clean, white, dry towel.

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Coffee/Tea
Remedy: The first step is to pat the area dry with a clean, dry, absorbent, white towel. Then place several layers of white paper towels onto the affected area and weight it down with a heavy, flat object until the following day before you try to remove the stain. Next, blot the affected area with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel. (NOTE: Pouring the solvent directly on the carpet will loosen the latex glue that holds the layers of carpet backing together.) Mix a solution of one scant teaspoon of white liquid hand dishwashing detergent for every cup of lukewarm water used. Rinse by patting the area with lukewarm water on a clean, white towel. Mix a solution containing 1 cup of white vinegar for every 2 cups of water used and pat the area with the mixture with a clean, white towel.

If the stain is still visible after completing the above steps, mix 2 ounces of Rit Dye’s Color Remover or a product called White Wash with enough very hot water to make a pint. Put a white towel over the affected areas and pour the solution onto the towel. Then place a pan full of hot water over the towel to help keep the area warm. Leave the pan and the towel in place for about 30 minutes. (Warning: It is possible that this mixture will also cause bleaching.) Pat the area with lukewarm water on a clean, white towel and then dry it by blotting with a dry white towel.

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Colas and other Soft Drinks
Spills of this nature usually go deep into the carpet backing and can cause wicking. This means that the soils present in the bottom of the carpet are brought to the surface as the carpet dries and gives the impression that stains have “reappeared.”

Remedy: First blot the area with a clean, dry, white absorbent towel and then pat the area with a mixture of 1 scant teaspoon of liquid hand dishwashing soap for each cup of lukewarm water used and pat with a with a clean, white towel with a little lukewarm water on it. Next, make a solution containing 1 cup of white vinegar for every 2 cups of water used, then blot the area with this mixture. Dry by patting the affected area with a white towel with lukewarm water on it. Place several layers of white paper towels to the affected area and weight it down with a heavy, flat object for about 18 hours. This should pull the residue and dampness into the paper toweling.

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Cranberry Juice
Saturate the stain with hydrogen peroxide. Let sit for five minutes then blot excess liquid with clean white cloth.

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Crayons
Remedy: If the crayon marks are on upholstery or low pile carpet, first try to remove the marks by pressing transparent tape against them. If that doesn’t work, or you have thicker pile carpet, proceed to the following steps.

Scrape as much residue off as you can and remove any pieces large enough to pick up. Thoroughly vacuum the area using the upholstery attachment.

Next, blot the affected area with a non-flammable dry cleaning fluid on a white towel. (NOTE: Pouring the solvent directly on the carpet will loosen the latex glue that holds the layers of carpet backing together.) If any color still remains, pat the area with alcohol.

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Crepe Paper and Felt Pad Dyes
Remedy: First, pat the area with alcohol. Then blot with a solution of 2 tablespoons of regular, household ammonia for every cup of water used. Dampen a clean, white towel with lukewarm water and tamp over the affected area. Pat the area dry with a clean, white, absorbent towel.

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Dandruff Shampoos
These shampoos often contain sulfur compounds that can permanently turn carpet fibers brown.

Remedy: Pat the area with a mixture of 1 scant teaspoon of liquid hand dishwashing soap for each cup of lukewarm water used and pat with a with a clean, white towel with a little lukewarm water on it. Dry the area by blotting it with a clean, dry, white, absorbent towel.

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Driveway Sealer
If not removed when fresh yellow stain from asphalt off parking lots and driveways is nearly impossible to completely remove without delaminating the carpet. This yellowing is particularly obvious with blue and gray carpet. Blot with tar remover. If stain remains call for an appointment.

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Dry Erase Marker
To remove permanent marker from carpet, first thoroughly vacuum the area to remove any loose dirt or dust from the stain. Try using either rubbing alcohol or a non-oily hairspray as your stain-removing agent. Apply a small amount at a time and blot with a clean white clothe between applications.

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Duco Cement
Blot with a solution of one-teaspoon of handsoap per one cup of lukewarm water. Blot with lukewarm water with a white towel. If this does not work call for a carpet cleaning appointment.

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Eggs
This pertains to raw eggs.

Remedy: As soon as you can, scrape off any excess egg. Then, blot the area with a mixture of 1 scant teaspoon of liquid hand dishwashing soap for each cup of lukewarm water used. Then, pat the area with a clean, white towel with a little lukewarm water on it. Mix a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar for each 2 cups of water used and tamp into the stained area. Then rinse with a clean, white towel with lukewarm water on it. Place several layers of white paper towels onto the affected area and weight it down with a heavy, flat object for about 18 hours. This should pull the residue and dampness into the paper toweling.

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Ether
Blot dry with a dry white towel. If stain remains call for an appointment.

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Fabric Softeners
Remedy:,/b> Pat dry with clean, white, absorbent towel, then blot with alcohol. Blot the area with a mixture of 1 scant teaspoon of liquid hand dishwashing soap for each cup of lukewarm water used. Then, pat the area with a clean, white towel with a little lukewarm water on it. Mix a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar for each 2 cups of water used and tamp into the stained area. Place several layers of white paper towels onto the affected area and weight it down with a heavy, flat object for about 18 hours. This should pull the residue and dampness into the paper toweling.