Spot Removal Guide

HOW TO CLEAN UP CARPET SPOTS LIKE A PRO

While we would love to sell you some of our great spot cleaning products, chances are, you may not need them. What follows are spot removal “recipes” that we have learned over the years. Most of these are simple, non-toxic ingredients that you probably have around the house. They contain very little in the way of harsh chemicals or soaps, will not leave residues and are safe to humans and animals. They should work on 90% of the stains you encounter.
PRE-MIX AND PRE-TEST THESE FORMULAS! APPLY TO A REMNANT OR THE BACK CORNER OF A CLOSET AND WAIT 24 HOURS TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY ADVERSE REACTIONS.

METHOD A
Apply the FORMULA directly to the stain using a trigger sprayer. Agitate or blot lightly* and allow 5 minutes “dwell-time”. If possible, rinse with a home extractor such as a Bissel or Hoover Machine or similar unit using hot water only with NO cleaner or chemical in the unit. Follow the outlined method and then rinse using the extractor. This method is ideal and will help you achieve optimum results.

METHOD B
Apply the FORMULA directly to the stain using a trigger sprayer. Agitate lightly* and allow 5 minutes “dwell-time”. Blot the stained area with a clean white or light colored cotton/terry material. Afterward rinse with plain water on a cloth or sprayed from a bottle.

FORMULA 1
2 to 4 ounces Clear NON-sudsy Ammonia
Water
In a one quart size spray bottle add ammonia and fill the remainder of bottle with water.
Use this formula for:
 Most Food & Beverage Stains and “Mystery” Stains.

FORMULA 2
2 to 4 ounces of Distilled White Vinegar
Water
In a one quart size spray bottle add white vinegar and fill the remainder of bottle with water.
Use this formula for: Coffee or Tea, Pet Stains, Blood and Plant Stains.

MINERAL SPIRITS
Available at any hardware store, paint store or home center. This is a mild solvent that will not harm your carpet as long as you do not pour it directly on the carpet. Apply it to a cloth first and then blot or dab at the spot. Switch to a clean, dry cloth to absorb the remainder of the spot. Follow up with FORMULA 1 to get out the remaining Mineral Spirits residue.
 Use this formula for: Cosmetics, Grease, Tar, Oil Spots and Fresh Ink Spots.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (DO NOT USE ON WOOL!!!)
Hydrogen Peroxide can be applied to stubborn Coffee, Tea, Urine and Yellow Plant Spots after attempting the appropriate Formula above. After the carpet has dried completely, spray the Hydrogen Peroxide on enough to get the stained area uniformly wet, then leave it alone overnight The Peroxide will have a mild bleaching effect. Not enough to remove color from the carpet, but strong enough to fade any remaining yellowing from the carpet. This also sometimes works on many light mold and mildew stains.

“OXY-CLEAN” (Sodium Percarbonate) (DO NOT USE ON WOOL!!!)
Oxy-Clean produces excellent results, but BE CAREFUL! If you mix it even slightly stronger than the instructions tell you to, it WILL bleach color from some carpets! It works best for food and beverage stains, particularly Coffee, Tea, and Wine. It is also very good for Pet Stains. Do a follow up rinse with FORMULA 2 (Vinegar/Water-see above) to neutralize any bleaching action.

QUESTIONS? NEED HELP? 
Call BASIC for assistance at (785) 330-5266

For more detailed information, check out the Carpet and Rug Institutes “Spot Solver” page

*No scrubbing please. It feels like it works, but it just drives the stains deeper into the carpet.