The key to successful spot removal is getting to it as quick as possible. Keep this page book marked, 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.

YOUR BASIC SPOT REMOVAL KIT

Keep the following items on hand so you will be prepared to handle fresh spills on your carpet: Neutral dish detergent such as Joy® or Dawn® (dilute 20:1); clear household ammonia; white vinegar (dilute 1:1); wet spotter such as Spot Gone®; dry spotter such as Dissolve®; paint thinner; hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) for bleaching; denatured or isopropyl alcohol; a good supply of white terry cloths; and a spotting brush. If you have pets, stock a bacteria/enzyme digester such as Liquid Alive®. A wet/dry vac is great to have as well.

THE 6 STEPS TO REMOVING SPOTS

  1. Catch it while it's fresh, when chances of removal are 75% better. Don't iron or hot-air dry until the stain is gone. Heat will set most stains.
  2. First blot up all the liquid and scrape up all the solids you can. On a large liquid spill you can use a wet/dry vac. Be careful not to spread the stain.
  3. Test any chemical you intend to use in a hidden area to make sure it won't discolor or damage the surface.
  4. Apply spotter and work from the outside of the stain in, to avoid spreading. Blot, don't scrub; strike with the flat face of a spotting brush if needed to help break up the stain.
  5. Rinse chemical spotters out with water, blot the area dry and feather the edges. Brush or fluff up pile or nap.
  6. On carpet and upholstery, put a thick pad of toweling over the spot, weight it down with books, and leave it there overnight to "wick up" any remaining moisture.

Spot Removal Guide for Carpet

Step by step advanced treatment recommendations see bottom for spotting solutions.

 

BLOOD:

  1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply cool ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
  5. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
  6. Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide may be necessary.

BUTTER AND MARGARINE:

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  2. Apply detergent solution, blot until dry.
  3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

CANDLE WAX:

  1. Scrape away as much wax as possible with spatula or dull knife.
  2. Apply dry cleaning solvent.
  3. Apply POG, blot
  4. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.

*Refer to general recommendation for hot iron treatment of wax.

KETCHUP & TOMATO SAUCE:

  1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  4. If stain remains, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot dry.

CHOCOLATE:

  1. Scrape away as much as possible with spatula or dull knife.
  2. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  5. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

COFFEE:

  1. Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently.
  2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  3. Cover with dry towels until dry.

CRAYON:

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply POG, blot.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

FOOD COLORING:

  1. Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently. A dried stain of food coloring will most likely spread when wet. Repeat until color is no longer transferred to towel.
  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

FURNITURE STAIN:

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply POG, blot.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Unfortunately, a furniture stain is nearly impossible to remove completely.

GRASS:

  1. Apply amyl acitate if available to remove chlorophyll, blot.
  2. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  3. Rinse with water, blot.
  4. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  5. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Bleaching or professional stripping may be necessary.

INK(Ballpoint):

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply POG, blot.
  3. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.

INK (India):

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply POG, blot.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

JAM & JELLY:

  1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  3. Rinse with water, blot.
  4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

LIPSTICK:

  1. Scrape off excess with spatula or dull knife.
  2. Apply POG, blot making sure not to reapply stain into fabric.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
  4. Apply detergent, blot.
  5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  6. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  7. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Try to avoid wet cleaning on wool. 
Use POG and dry-cleaning solvents as long as possible.

MILDEW:

  1. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot.
  4. Apply solution of oxidizing bleach (chlorine or perborate) Do not use chlorine bleach on wool or silk.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

MUD:

  1. Brush or scrape away as much excess mud as possible.
  2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
  5. If stain remains, apply POG and dry-cleaning solvent alternately, blot until dry.

MUSTARD:

  1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  4. If stain remains, rust remover (Oxalic acid solution) or bleaching may be necessary.

Do not use ammonia or alkalies.

NAIL POLISH:

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply amyl acittate if available or nail polish remover -PRETEST INCONSPICUOUS AREA FIRST.
  3. If stain remains, apply detergent solution, blot until dry.
  4. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  5. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

PAINT (Oil based):

  1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  3. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
  4. Apply POG, blot.
  5. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.

PAINT (Water based):

  1. Check label on paint or specific thinner or solvent OR
  2. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  3. Apply POG, blot.
  4. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot
  5. Alternate steps 2 and 3 until stain is removed.
  6. If stain persists, weight down the stain with towels dampened with dry-cleaning for several hours to loosen, blot with solvent.
  7. Apply several drops of detergent solution and work into the stain, blot.
  8. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  9. Alternate steps 2 and 3 and 6 until stain is removed.

Rinse thoroughly with warm water, blot until dry.

SHOE POLISH:

  1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. Apply POG, blot.
  3. Apply dry-cleaning solution, blot.
  4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
  7. If stain persists, bleaching or professional stripping may be necessary.

URINE:

  1. Blot as much as possible if still wet.
  2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot
  4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
  6. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
  7. Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate might be necessary.

Urine stains may cause permanent dye removal from fibers.

VOMIT:

  1. Blot as much as possible.
  2. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

WINE:

  1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
  2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
  3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
  4. If necessary, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

(If all else fails, switch to Chardonnay)!

Free video here: http://www.marylandcarpetcleaning.net