Free Guide · Carpet & Upholstery
Spot Removal Guide
Spilled something? Find your stain below and follow the matching procedure. Our technicians have used these steps in Victoria homes since 1980.
Before You Start
- Act quickly. The longer a spot sits, the harder it is to remove.
- Always test first on a hidden spot, like behind a cushion zipper or under furniture.
- Blot, never rub. Press down with a clean white towel. Rubbing spreads the stain and frays the fibres.
- Don't over-wet. Too much liquid soaks into the pad underneath.
- Never use bleach.
The Three Mixes
Each procedure uses one or more of these. Mix each one with ½ cup of cold water.
- Neutral detergent
- 1 tablespoon of dish soap
- Acid solution
- 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
- Alkaline detergent
- 1 tablespoon of ammonia
Find Your Stain
Each stain shows the number of the procedure to follow.
- Alcoholic beverages Procedure 4
- Asphalt Procedure 1
- Avocado Procedure 4
- Banana Procedure 4
- Beer Procedure 4
- Berry stains* Procedure 6
- Blood Procedure 5
- Butter Procedure 1
- Candle wax* Procedure 2
- Candy Procedure 6
- Carbon paper Procedure 1
- Cheese Procedure 5
- Chewing gum Procedure 1
- Chicken soup Procedure 6
- Chocolate Procedure 6
- Cocoa Procedure 6
- Coffee Procedure 4
- Cola Procedure 4
- Copier toner Procedure 1
- Correction fluid Procedure 1
- Cosmetic cream Procedure 1
- Cosmetics Procedure 1
- Cough syrup Procedure 6
- Crayon Procedure 2
- Cream (dairy) Procedure 5
- Easter egg dye Procedure 6
- Egg Procedure 5
- Eggnog Procedure 5
- Eye make-up Procedure 1
- Faeces Procedure 5
- Fish slime Procedure 5
- Floor wax Procedure 2
- Food colouring* Procedure 6
- Fruit juice Procedure 4
- Furniture polish Procedure 2
- Furniture stain* Procedure 2
- Gasoline Procedure 1
- Glue, airplane* Procedure 3
- Glue, household Procedure 5
- Glue, latex Procedure 2
- Glue, white (Elmer's)* Procedure 2
- Grape juice* Procedure 6
- Graphite Procedure 1
- Gravy Procedure 5
- Grease Procedure 1
- Hand lotion Procedure 1
- Ice cream Procedure 5
- Ink, ballpoint pen Procedure 1
- Ink, black India Procedure 1
- Ink, magic marker Procedure 6
- Ink, stamp pad Procedure 6
- Insecticide Procedure 1
- Iodine* Procedure 6
- Jam Procedure 6
- Jelly Procedure 6
- Jello Procedure 6
- Kerosene Procedure 1
- Ketchup Procedure 4
- Kool-Aid* Procedure 6
- Lacquer Procedure 3
- Lip gloss Procedure 1
- Lipstick* Procedure 2
- Make-up Procedure 1
- Mascara Procedure 1
- Mayonnaise Procedure 1
- Metal polish Procedure 2
- Mildew Procedure 6
- Milk Procedure 5
- Mouthwash Procedure 4
- Mud Procedure 6
- Mustard* Procedure 6
- Nail polish* Procedure 2
- Oil, cooking Procedure 1
- Oil, machine Procedure 1
- Oil, motor Procedure 1
- Oil, oxidized vegetable Procedure 2
- Oil, salad Procedure 1
- Oil, suntan Procedure 1
- Oil, used Procedure 2
- Ointment Procedure 2
- Orange juice Procedure 4
- Paint, acrylic Procedure 2
- Paint, aluminum Procedure 2
- Paint, enamel Procedure 2
- Paint, latex (dried) Procedure 2
- Paint, latex (fresh) Procedure 1
- Paint, oil-based Procedure 2
- Paint, water colour Procedure 6
- Peanut butter Procedure 5
- Perfume Procedure 4
- Play-Doh Procedure 1
- Potpourri Procedure 6
- Red clay Procedure 6
- Rubber Procedure 2
- Shellac Procedure 2
- Shoe polish (liquid)* Procedure 2
- Shoe polish (paste) Procedure 2
- Soft drink Procedure 4
- Soot Procedure 2
- Spaghetti sauce Procedure 5
- Starch Procedure 5
- Syrup Procedure 5
- Tar Procedure 1
- Tea Procedure 4
- Tomato juice Procedure 4
- Toothpaste Procedure 6
- Urine Procedure 5
- Varnish Procedure 2
- Vegetable dye Procedure 6
- Vomit Procedure 5
- Wax* Procedure 2
- Wine* Procedure 6
* May be difficult or impossible to remove, because of dye or pigment in the spill.
The 6 Procedures
"Press" means pressing a clean white towel straight down onto the spot, then checking the towel for colour.
Procedure 1
For oily and greasy spots
- Dab a solvent such as Varsol (mineral spirits) onto a white cloth.
- Press the cloth onto the spot. Do not rub.
- Check the cloth for colour. Repeat until no more colour comes off.
- Press on the neutral detergent (dish soap mix) and blot.
- Press on the alkaline detergent (ammonia mix) and blot.
- Rinse with cool water and blot dry with a towel.
Procedure 2
For wax, polish, paint and tough residue
- Dab a solvent such as Varsol (mineral spirits) onto a white cloth.
- Press the cloth onto the spot. Do not rub.
- Repeat gently until no more colour comes off.
- If colour remains, press on the alkaline detergent (ammonia mix) and blot.
- Rinse with cool water when no more colour transfers.
Procedure 3
For lacquer and model glue
- Dab a solvent such as Varsol (mineral spirits) onto a white cloth and press onto the spot.
- Apply a paint, oil and grease remover and blot.
- Rinse with the solvent, pressing with the cloth.
- Press on the alkaline detergent (ammonia mix) and blot.
- Rinse with cool water and blot dry with a towel.
Procedure 4
For drinks and fruit
- Blot up as much as you can.
- Press on the neutral detergent (dish soap mix).
- Press with a towel and check for colour on the towel.
- Rinse with cool water and blot dry.
Procedure 5
For food, body fluids and pet accidents
- Lift off any solid material with the edge of a butter knife.
- Press on the neutral detergent (dish soap mix) and blot. Repeat.
- Press on the alkaline detergent (ammonia mix) and blot.
- Rinse with cool water and blot.
- Repeat the rinse, then blot dry.
Procedure 6
For dyes, sugary stains and mud
- Press on the neutral detergent (dish soap mix) and blot.
- Press on the alkaline detergent (ammonia mix) and blot.
- Repeat the two steps above until no more colour comes off.
- Press on the acid solution (vinegar mix) and blot.
- Rinse with cool water and blot dry.
Colourfast Test for Ammonia
- Mix the alkaline detergent (ammonia mix).
- Apply a little to a hidden area.
- Press a white cloth onto it and check for colour.
- If no colour comes off, it's safe to use.
- If colour comes off, stop and have an Aquamist technician look at the stain.
Careful With Solvents
- Put the solvent on a cloth first, then press the cloth onto the carpet. Never pour it on.
- Too much solvent can separate the carpet from its backing.
These are safe, common methods, but they can't guarantee removal. Aquamist Carpet Care Ltd. is not responsible for any damage caused by using this guide.
Stain Still There?
Some spots need professional equipment. Call us, or book a carpet cleaning or odor removal visit.