Carpet Spot Cleaning Tips:

I thought maybe I could cheat and go to some of the other web sites on spot-cleaning tips. However, they usually are good but not always practical for 90% of most carpet owners. So drawing from my almost 25 years in the business, I thought I would give you some examples that are practical and that means easy to apply and easy to get the products that do the job.

First of all there are no magic potients out there. I am foregoing homemade-type solutions; who as time for that. I am going to present to you store bought products that are proven winners. These will be products you can get in any grocery store.



First thing you must understand about carpet is that most stains/spots will come out using already-made spot removers. Applying a product you like and removing the visible spot is fairly easy. The problems is when the spot keeps coming back. This is called wicking. I will give you 3 very easy steps to use to get rid of that spot that keeps returning.

Removing a surface stain/spot.
1. Use a product that best fits the problem. See list below.
2. When using a spray always shake the can.
3. After applying the cleaner, blot with clean white absorbent towel
4. The most common mistake people make is that they rub the spot in. You can rub in just a little with you fingers or maybe a soft brush to help loosen the spot if necessary. Then you blot, blot, blot.

I think a great idea after you have used any type of cleaner is to rinse the area with a damp cloth. Just plain water or a solution of vinegar water at 50-50 is great. This will help to rinse out any residue plus vinegar is a natural deodorizer.


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Four step liquid removing procedure. (Coffee, milk, water, juice, beer, etc.).
Step 1. Use a reasonably heavy cotton towel. Fold over at least once or twice then cover area with this towel. Now stand on the towel with both feet. Move around on the towel a little to work the towel into the carpet. Depending on the amount of liquid will determine how long you must do this. If you are in a hurry and no time to stand around for 20 seconds or so just place 2 to 5 lb object on top of the towel. Check carpet every 20 seconds or so and see how dry it is. Again, depending on the amount of liquid, you may need to either turn the towel over or you may need another towel. (A little common sense goes a long way. Now you should have most of the excess liquid out of the carpet.
Step 2. Now look at the list below to see what product would be best to remove the stain/spot. Follow that process.
Step 3. Now place a fresh towel on top of the area and leave a 2 to 5 lb. object on the towel for the next 4 to 24 hours.
Step 4. Remove object and towel and the stain/spot are gone for good.


The 4 step liquid removing procedure will be used many times in your lifetime. (Particularly if you have kids, animals even some husbands.) I have even known a woman or 2 who have actually spilt something! Can you believe it?

If you have a wonder product that you use and it can be purchase locally. Please call me and I will test it out for myself. If it is a product similar as to what I have on my list I will give you a $10 discount. If it is truly heads above anything on my list I will give you a $25 discount. My way to say thank you.


1. Basic Stain: Tops on my list is Spot Shot.™ "Carpet stain remover - Removes tough carpet stains without scrubbing" "Spot Shot works instantly to power out carpet stains without scrubbing. Just a quick blast of Spot Shot, and the toughest stains disappear before your eyes. Even old stains from pets, greasy foods, motor oil, red wine, blood, grape juice, shoe polish, cola, mud, coffee, and lipstick are no match for Spot Shot's awesome cleaning power". (That is a quote straight from the can.)
You can buy this almost anywhere. About the only thing I would not use spot shot on is something that is fragile like a fine piece of clothing or a fine rug made of wool. Please read directions on the can. For those items you need a product like wool lite.
Note! If you mention this tips page, I will give you one gallon of spot cleaning solution free when you become a customer.
Similar products that also work great: ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ( gathering information }

2. Urine: This will will great for a one time accident. Maybe if it happened twice. Anymore than that you will need something made just for urine. A. First blot with a cotton towel and absorb all that you can (Refer to step one of above on removing liquids from carpet.) B. Saturate with straight, white vinegar. Let sit for 10 minutes or so. C. Blot again with a fresh cotton towel. (As much as you can.) Now leave a fresh towel on top with a heavy object on top of that. Leave it there for 8 hours or so. That should do it. If not repeat process. (I never had to repeat) I have always, had animals in the house and there are times when a mistake happens. This simple process works wonderfully. The white vinegar is a natural deodorizer and it will not leave any stain. The vinegar smell will go away. There you go, the ABC's of getting rid of urine.
For more serious accidents try A great product called ????????????????(gathering information ). You can obtain this from Pets Smart. Another solution would be to call AAA Nature's Dry Carpet Care. I guarantee results or there is no charge. If I feel I can't guarantee results I will tell you so. I have seen problems so bad that the only thing to do was to replace the carpet


3. Oil, grease: Spot shot can be used for this purpose but I also like WD-40™ (Silicone spray lubricant) WD-40™ also makes Spot Shot™. Small World. WD-40™ (or any silicone spray lubricant) are great for removing grease, tar, adhesives, gum, tape, crayon and scuff marks The can evens says water marks (I have never tried it on that). Mineral spirits is also another choice. Do not pour this on the carpet. You can break down the glues that hold the carpet together. Put some on a rag, and work it into the spot. (Note! I like the smell of WD-40™ a whole lot better than mineral spirits.) However, you have to use what you have on hand sometimes.


4. Dried up spots: Maybe you have cleaned before, but keep coming back.
Chances are this type of spill/liquid which is now dry, is in the back of the carpet and pad. After you clean the spot, the dry matter becomes a little moist and some of it wicks its way up the fiber.
a. Spot clean using Spot Shot™ or your favorite cleaner,
b. Rinse out spot remover using a very damp cloth,
c. Blot, rinse, blot, rinse,
d. Leave a folded towel on top of the spot with a 2-5 lb weight and leave it for 8 hours or more.
That should do it. If not, guess what? Repeat the process.

The above will solve about 90% of all you spot woes. If that doesn't work, who are you going to call? AAA Nature's Dry Carpet Care. 986-1908.
I will be, from time to time, updating this tip page. I would like to expand it into others areas. How about a great tip on saving gas?
If you have a tip, please call me at 986-1908. You will receive a $10 discount plus 1 gallon of a free spot cleaner. You can also e-mail me.

 

greatservice@carpetcleaningtampa.com
All tips that are published on my site will be tested by me first. If it passes my test, I will published it.
You will receive the discount and the 1 gallon spot cleaner regardless of whether it's published or not. After the first discount you will receive a discount and cleaner only if a tip is published. Up to 3 tips. Hey I got to make a living.