Carpet Spot Removal Tips

You might think that getting someone in on a regular basis to clean your office carpets professionally is all you need to keep them in great shape. By and large that may be true, but what happens when an oily substance is spilled in your main hallway, and the carpet cleaning man isn''t due to show up for another three weeks?

You might think that getting someone in on a regular basis to clean your office carpets professionally is all you need to keep them in great shape. By and large that may be true, but what happens when an oily substance is spilled in your main hallway, and the carpet cleaning man isn''t due to show up for another three weeks?

A quick removal of spots is recommended, to both keep your carpets looking good and to extend their life overall, says John Pletz, CEO of ServiceMaster Clean by Pletz, based in Crystal Lake, Illinois. When something nasty gets spilled, it''s imperative to call in a professional immediately. Delaying the problem will only worsen it, so get on the phone ? quick!

The problem with certain stains and spots, such as an such as oil-based substance, is not just that it looks unattractive and will be harder to get out the longer you wait. The problem is that within hours, it can ? and no doubt will ? get tracked throughout your entire facility.

The oil holds on to dirt, so your carpets everywhere will become even more soiled, on any areas where people have tracked the stain. Very quickly your entire carpet could be contaminated by the oil and be attracting more dirt.

You might think it is expensive to call someone in. But it could be much worse if you do nothing, and then discover that your entire carpeting system is filthy thanks to that one original spot.

Do It Yourself

If you want to try cleaning a spot yourself, put some spotting solution onto a cleaning cloth, do not pour it directly on to the spot. Then pat the spot and try to transfer the dirt from the carpet to the cloth ? blot but don''t rub if the spot is wet. You may have to use different cloths, switch cloths or switch sides.

What you see on the surface might be two inches in diameter ? but because it a liquid it can spread out to a foot in diameter. If the spot is dry, loosen the soil and vacuum away prior to moistening it.

Top Tips

Here are some top tips to attempt getting spots out yourself:

Coffee

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of lukewarm water. Blot.
2. Mix one-third cup of white household vinegar with two-thirds cup of water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.

Wax
Use a plastic putty knife and remove as much solid residue as possible, then call a professional to remove any embedded residue.


Gum
Use ice to harden the gum, then remove with a dull knife.

Red Wine
Use club soda to flush the wine from the carpet fibers. Then blot the area with a clean terry towel.

Soft Drinks
Create a solution of one quart water, one teaspoon mild detergent and one teaspoon of white vinegar.

Ball Point Ink
Use hairspray and be sure to rinse the entire area well with water when finished. DO NOT RUB. Lightly blot, using clean areas of the towel, being careful not to widen the spot.

Grass Stains

Apply rubbing alcohol liberally to stained areas. Blot.

Use common sense when it comes to spots and stains on carpets. You may attempt to clean it up yourself. But if it''s not working call in a professional right away.

John Pletz is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a Professional Cleaners or more cleaning articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Carpet Spot Removal Tips