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Aquamist Carpet Care

Victoria's Favourite Carpet Cleaning Company

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Spot Removal Guide

Spot Removal Guide

If you have ever stained, splashed or dripped something on your carpet or furniture, this chart was made for you. While we don’t have all the answers, here is a guideline to help keep your carpets and upholstery spot-free.

Keep this guide handy for quick reference. When a spot or stain occurs, first and foremost, ACT QUICKLY! The longer a spot or stain remains in the carpet, the harder it is to get out.

Please follow the guidelines below when attempting to remove the spot or stain. A few words of caution: ALWAYS DO A TEST SPOT REMOVAL on a portion of carpet that is not normally visible. Be careful not to over-wet. NEVER USE BLEACH!

Mixing Procedures

Neutral Detergent: 1 tablespoon of dish soap with 1/2 cup of cold water.

Acid Solution: 1 tablespoon of white vinegar with 1/2 cup of cold water.

Alkaline Detergent: 1 tablespoon of ammonia with 1/2 cup of cold water.

Remember, these are safe methods of spot removal, but don’t guarantee removal. If the spot is not removed, contact us today!


Colourfast Test For Ammonia

Please follow the guidelines listed below when using an ammonia based solution:

  • Mix ammonia according to mixing procedures.
  • Test an inconspicuous area (i.e. by the zipper on the cushions).
  • Apply ammonia.
  • Apply surface pressure with white cloth and observe if any colour transfer has occurred.
  • If no colour transfer, it’s safe to use.
  • If there is colour transfer, we would recommend an Aquamist technician inspect the stain.

Remember, this colourfast test is recommended by Aquamist, however Aquamist Carpet Care Ltd. cannot be held responsible for any damages caused.

Caution With Solvents

Here’s an important point to keep in mind when using solvents:

  • It is best to first apply solvent to a cloth and then use the cloth to transfer solvent to the carpet.
  • Overuse of solvents can delaminate the carpet from its backing. Aquamist Carpet Care Ltd. cannot be held responsible for any damages caused.

Common Stains Directory

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

A
Alcoholic beverages
Asphalt
Avocado

B
Banana
Beer
Berry stains *
Blood
Butter

C
Candle wax *
Candy
Carbon paper
Cheese
Chewing gum
Chicken Cup ‘O Soup
Chocolate
Cocoa
Coffee
Cola
Copier toner
Correction fluid
Cosmetic cream
Cosmetics
Cough syrup
Crayon
Cream (dairy)

E
Easter egg dye
Egg
Eggnog
Eye make-up

F
Faeces
Fish slime
Floor wax
Food colouring *
Fruit juice
Furniture polish
Furniture stain *

G
Gasoline
Glue (airplane) *
Glue (household)
Glue (latex)
Glue (white – Elmers) *
Grape juice *
Graphite
Gravy
Grease

H
Hand lotion

I
Insecticide
Ice cream
Iodine *
Ink (ballpoint pen)
Ink (black India)
Ink (magic marker)
Ink (stamp pad)

J
Jam
Jelly
Jello

K
Ketchup
Kerosene
Kool Aid *

L
Lacquer
Lip gloss
Lipstick *
Berry stains *
Blood
Butter

M
Make-up
Mascara
Mayonnaise
Metal polish
Milk
Mildew
Mud
Mustard *
Mouthwash

N
Nail polish *

O
Oil (cooking)
Oil (used)
Oil (oxidized yellow veg)
Oil (machine)
Oil (motor)
Oil (salad)
Oil (suntan)
Ointment
Orange juice

P
Pepsi cola
Perfume
Play dough
Peanut butter
Potpourri
Paint (acrylic)
Paint (aluminum)
Paint (latex – dried)
Paint (latex – fresh)
Paint (oil-based)
Paint (enamel)
Paint (water colour)

R
Rubber
Red clay

S
Soft drink
Salad oil
Suntan oil
Shellac
Shoe polish (liquid) *
Shoe polish (paste)
Soot
Spaghetti sauce
Starch
Syrup
Stamp pad ink

T
Tea
Tomato juice
Tar
Typewriter ribbon
Toothpaste

U
Urine

V
Vomit
Vegatable dye
Varnish

W
Wax *
Wine *

* Indicates spots that may be difficult or impossible to remove due to stains left by dye or pigment contained in the spotting material. Back to Common Stains Directory

×

Stain Removal Directions – Group 1

  • Apply volatile solvent (varsol).
  • Apply surface pressure (tamping) with absorbent towel.
  • Observe transfer to towel.
  • Repeat steps 2 and 3 until no more transfer is observed.
  • Apply cool neutral detergent (dish soap).
  • Apply tamping and observe transfer to absorbent towel.
  • Apply cool alkaline detergent (ammonia).
  • Apply tamping and observe transfer to absorbent towel.
  • Rinse with cool water and blot with absorbent towel

Vacuum Facts: Vacuum cleaner bags, when 2/3 full lose 85% of their efficiency (i.e. change when 1/2 full). We recommend frequent vacuuming of both carpet & upholstery.

×

Stain Removal Directions – Group 2

  • Apply volatile solvent (varsol).
  • Apply surface pressure (tamping) with absorbent towel.
  • Gently repeat until no more transfer is observed.
  • If colour remains, apply alkaline detergent (ammonia).
  • Apply tamping and observe transfer to absorbent towel.
  • Rinse with cool water when no more transfer is observed.

Vacuum Facts: Vacuum cleaner bags, when 2/3 full lose 85% of their efficiency (i.e. change when 1/2 full). We recommend frequent vacuuming of both carpet & upholstery.

×

Stain Removal Directions – Group 3

  • Apply volatile solvent (varsol).
  • Apply surface pressure (tamping) with absorbent towel.
  • Observe transfer to towel.
  • Repeat steps 2 and 3 until no more transfer is observed.
  • Apply cool neutral detergent (dish soap).
  • Apply tamping and observe transfer to absorbent towel.
  • Apply cool alkaline detergent (ammonia).
  • Apply tamping and observe transfer to absorbent towel.
  • Rinse with cool water and blot with absorbent towel

Vacuum Facts: Vacuum cleaner bags, when 2/3 full lose 85% of their efficiency (i.e. change when 1/2 full). We recommend frequent vacuuming of both carpet & upholstery.

×

Stain Removal Directions – Group 4

  • Apply volatile solvent (varsol).
  • Apply surface pressure (tamping) with absorbent towel.
  • Observe transfer to towel.
  • Repeat steps 2 and 3 until no more transfer is observed.
  • Apply cool neutral detergent (dish soap).
  • Apply tamping and observe transfer to absorbent towel.
  • Apply cool alkaline detergent (ammonia).
  • Apply tamping and observe transfer to absorbent towel.
  • Rinse with cool water and blot with absorbent towel

Vacuum Facts: Vacuum cleaner bags, when 2/3 full lose 85% of their efficiency (i.e. change when 1/2 full). We recommend frequent vacuuming of both carpet & upholstery.

×

Stain Removal Directions – Group 5

  • Apply volatile solvent (varsol).
  • Apply surface pressure (tamping) with absorbent towel.
  • Observe transfer to towel.
  • Repeat steps 2 and 3 until no more transfer is observed.
  • Apply cool neutral detergent (dish soap).
  • Apply tamping and observe transfer to absorbent towel.
  • Apply cool alkaline detergent (ammonia).
  • Apply tamping and observe transfer to absorbent towel.
  • Rinse with cool water and blot with absorbent towel

Vacuum Facts: Vacuum cleaner bags, when 2/3 full lose 85% of their efficiency (i.e. change when 1/2 full). We recommend frequent vacuuming of both carpet & upholstery.

×

Stain Removal Directions – Group 6

  • Apply volatile solvent (varsol).
  • Apply surface pressure (tamping) with absorbent towel.
  • Observe transfer to towel.
  • Repeat steps 2 and 3 until no more transfer is observed.
  • Apply cool neutral detergent (dish soap).
  • Apply tamping and observe transfer to absorbent towel.
  • Apply cool alkaline detergent (ammonia).
  • Apply tamping and observe transfer to absorbent towel.
  • Rinse with cool water and blot with absorbent towel

Vacuum Facts: Vacuum cleaner bags, when 2/3 full lose 85% of their efficiency (i.e. change when 1/2 full). We recommend frequent vacuuming of both carpet & upholstery.

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