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Easy Carpet-Stain Solutions These stain-busters are made of products you probably have on hand. But follow the recipes exactly. "In cleaning carpet, more is never better," says Barbara Wilson, technical-information manager for the Carpet and Rug Institute. And don't approach carpet cleaning the same way you scrub the tub: Rubbing a spot vigorously will not make the stain disappear faster, but it can damage the carpet fibers and make the stain set in deeper. The following pages will fill you in on when and how to use these various solutions to remove beverage, mud, oil, and various other carpet stains. Synthetic-Carpet Cleaners Dip a white cloth into these solutions and apply to the stain. Never pour the solutions directly onto carpeting. Detergent solution: Mix 1/4 teaspoon of a translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into 1 cup of lukewarm water.
Vinegar solution: Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.
Solvent solution: Use an oil solvent, such as Carbona Carpet Wizard Carpet Cleaner (www.carbona.com for store locations). Or substitute nail-polish remover, such as Cutex Quick & Gentle non-acetone polish remover.
Natural-Fiber-Carpet Cleaners
Place these solutions (except the solvent) in spray bottles and mist them lightly onto the stain.
Detergent solution: Mix 1 teaspoon of translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into 1 cup of lukewarm water. Vinegar solution: Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1/4 cup of water.
Ammonia solution: Mix 1 tablespoon of clear household ammonia with 1/2 cup of lukewarm water.
Solvent solution: Same as for synthetic carpets (see above). December 2003/January 2004 | | Food and Drink Stains
Includes wine, ketchup, chocolate, coffee, tea, beer, milk, tomato sauce, berries, hard candy, juice, soda, Gatorade, Kool-Aid. Synthetic-Fiber RugsAll stains1. Dip a white cloth (or a white paper towel with no printing) into the detergent solution and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait 15 minutes (it takes time to break down the stain), then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth. 2. Dip a cloth into the vinegar solution and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait another 15 minutes. (This is an important step, because white vinegar removes residual detergent, which will attract dirt if left in the carpet.) 3. Rinse by blotting with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Wait one hour or until the carpet dries completely. For bad spills, place a 1/2-inch-thick stack of white paper towels over the stain after step 2, then lay a glass baking dish on top for 15 minutes. 4. As long as you see the stain lightening, repeat these steps until it is gone. Natural-Fiber RugsBeer, coffee, tea1. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 2. Spray the stain with vinegar solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 3. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 4. Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth. 5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until the stain is removed. Hard candy, chocolate, berries, juice, wine, soda, milkFollow steps 1 to 5 (above), with one addition: Before applying the vinegar solution in step 2, spray the stain with ammonia solution,then blot with a dry white cloth. Ketchup, Gatorade, Kool-Aid, tomato sauceFollow steps 1 to 5 (above), but substitute ammonia solution for the vinegar one in step 2. | <NOINDEX> | Oil and Grease Stains
Includes butter, salad dressing, cheese, eggnog, cooking oil, tree sap, crayon, lotion, mascara, lipstick, nail polish. Synthetic-Fiber RugsAll stains1. Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth. Dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. 2. Rinse by blotting with a white cloth soaked in lukewarm water. 3. Wait one hour or until the carpet completely dries. If the stain is getting lighter, repeat until the stain is removed. Natural-Fiber RugsAll stains1. Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. 2. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 3. Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth. 4. Wait one hour or until the carpet completely dries. If the stain is getting lighter, repeat these steps until it is gone Stubborn Stains: Ballpoint Ink, Dirt and Mud
For each of these, repeat the steps as long as the stain continues to lighten, until it disappears. Ballpoint InkSynthetic-Fiber Rugs1. Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Wait 15 minutes to dry; repeat if necessary. 2. Rinse by blotting with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Natural-Fiber Rugs1. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 2. Spray the stain with ammonia solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 3. Spray the stain with vinegar solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 4. Reapply the detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 5. Spray the stain with water, then blot with a dry white cloth. Dirt, MudSynthetic-Fiber Rugs1. Vacuum any dry dirt to remove as much as possible. 2. Dip a white cloth into detergent solution and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth. 3. Dip another dry white cloth in lukewarm water and dab repeatedly, then press it on the spot for a few seconds. Natural-Fiber Rugs1. Vacuum any dry dirt to remove as much as possible. 2. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 3. Spray the stain with vinegar solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 4. Reapply the detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 5. Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth. detergent solution and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth. 3. Dip another dry white cloth in lukewarm water and dab repeatedly, then press it on the spot for a few seconds. Stubborn Stains: Chewing Gum, Wax
For each of these, repeat the steps as long as the stain continues to lighten, until it disappears. Synthetic-Fiber and Natural-Fiber Rugs1. Gently rub the spot with a Ziploc bag filled with ice cubes until the stain hardens. Shatter it with a blunt object, such as a spatula, and vacuum up the chips. 2. Apply a small amount of solvent with a white cloth, then blot. 3. Rinse by blotting with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water Stubborn Stains: Gravy, Mayonnaise
For each of these, repeat the steps as long as the stain continues to lighten, until it disappears. GravySynthetic-Fiber Rugs1. Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Wait 15 minutes to dry. Repeat if necessary. 2. Rinse by blotting with a white cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth. Natural-Fiber Rugs1. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 2. Spray the stain with ammonia solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 3. Spray the stain with vinegar solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 4. Reapply the detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 5. Spray the stain with water, then blot with a dry white cloth. MayonnaiseSynthetic-Fiber Rugs1. Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Wait 15 minutes to dry. Repeat if necessary. 2. Rinse by blotting with a white cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth. Natural-Fiber Rugs1. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 2. Spray the stain with ammonia solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 3. Spray the stain with vinegar solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 4. Reapply the detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth.
Stubborn Stains: Permanent Felt-Tip Marker, Pet Accidents
For each of these, repeat the steps as long as the stain continues to lighten, until it disappears. Permanent Felt-Tip MarkerSynthetic-Fiber Rugs1. Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Wait 15 minutes to dry. 2. Dip a white cloth into detergent solution and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth. 3. Rinse by blotting with a white cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Natural-Fiber Rugs1. Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. 2. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 3. Spray the stain with water, then blot with a dry white cloth. Pet AccidentsSynthetic-Fiber Rugs1. Dip a white cloth into detergent solution and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. 2. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth. 3. Dip the cloth into vinegar solution and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait another 15 minutes. 4. Wait one hour or until the carpet dries completely. If the stain is getting lighter, repeat the first three steps until the stain is gone. Natural-Fiber Rugs1. Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 2. Spray the stain with ammonia solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 3. Spray the stain with vinegar solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 4. Reapply the detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. 5. Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth. |
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| | | From: cholla | Sent: 10/11/2007 1:22 AM |
Thanks Angelbear, I just spilled tea on a white rug!! |
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| | From:  CC20010 | Sent: 10/11/2007 3:10 PM |
Personally,I think I'd just rather have a hard wood floor with big throw rugs you can replace.But since we're renters,we usually get old ugly wall2walls |
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