Stain Guide
The follow are home remedy solutions for immediate care when an unexpected spill occurs. Using these time -tested remedies my not in all cases completely remove the stain, but by having your rug professionally cleaned at our plant, after your stain removal attempt, may result in a complete restoration. Consider this portion of our web site as “first aid”.
E-Z ANSWER GUIDE for SPOTS and STAINS on INTERIOR DÉCOR FABRICS
Directions
DO NOT OVERWET. Use small amounts of the cleaning agents and blot frequently. Always blot. Do not rub or brush.
Work from the outer edge of the spot towards the center to prevent rings.
Beginning with step 1, treat the stained area with each spotting solution until the stain is removed. IT MAY NOT BE NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE SERIES OF STEPS. The final step is always to gently rinse the areas with water, then absorb all the remaining moisture with absorbent towels.
BE PATIENT. Some stans respond slowly. All spots and stains cannot be removed from every fabric due to differences in fibers, dyes, constructions, finishes, composition of the stain, length of time the stain has remained on the article, etc. SOME STAINS REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT.
Spills and stains should be treated IMMEDIATELY. The longer a spot remains, the more difficult it will be to remove.
Blot up spills with clean, white, absorbent materials (towels, napkins, tissues, etc.)
PRETEST SPOT-REMOVAL AGENTS in an inconspicuous area (under a sofa cushion, on an area of carpet under or behind a piece of furniture). Apply several drops of solution on the article and rub gently with a clean, white towel. If color transfers to the cloth or a color change occurs, a professional cleaner should be consulted.
Spotting Solutions
AMMONIA SOLUTION – Mix one table spoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water.
BLEACH – Use hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate, persent in Snowy ro Clorox II. Do NOT use chlorine belach.
DETERGENT SOLUTION – Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.
DRYCLEANING SOLVENT – Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Carbona, Energine, K2R. use in small amounts- can be harmful to sizings, backings or stuffing materials. Do NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid or carbon tetrachloride.
ENZYME DETERGENT – Mix a solution of enzyme detergent following the directions on the label. Do NOT soak or overwet. Allow the solution to remain on the stain for the recommended length of time before removing. (Professional cleaners may prefer to use digestors separate from detergents.)
POG – Paint, oil, and grease remover, available in hardware stores.
VINEGAR SOLUTION – Mix one-third cup of white household vinegar with two-thirds cup of water. (Professional cleaners may use up to 28% acetic acid solution.
Please click on a stain condition below to read more information.
• BEERSTAIN: Colorless to light yellow, slightly stiff
CONTAINS: Hops, malts, alcohol, albumins, tannin
- Apply detergent solution and blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot frequently.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Reddish when fresh, dries to dark brown with irregular edge
CONTAINS: Albumin, fat, fibrin, iron
- Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
- Apply cool ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
- If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
- Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide may be necessary.
STAIN: Greasy , yellowish-red, sometimes built-up
CONTAINS: Vegetable dye, corn oil, milk, salt, preservatives, vegetable fats
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply detergent solution, blot until dry.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Stiff and built-up
CONTAINS: Petroleum, animal fat and oils, vegetable fats and oils, basic dyes
- Scrape off as much as possible with spatula or dull knife.
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
STAIN: Reddish-brown, absorbed and built-up
CONTAINS: Tomatoes, salt, sugar, spices, tannin, vinegar, onions
- Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- If stain remains, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Greyish or pink, rubbery, sticky, built-up.
CONTAINS: Chicle flavoring, sugar
- Harden gun with an ice cube until it is brittle enough to scrape off with dull knife or spatula.
- Apply drycleaning solvent to remove remaining traces.
OR Use a commercial chewing gum remover.
STAIN: Brow with irregular edge, absorbed or built-up
CONTAINS: Oil, grease, cocoa, butter, coloring, sugar, milk
- Scrape off as much as possible with spatula or dull knife.
- Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.
STAIN: Colorless or light brown, absorbed
CONTAINS: Alcohol, tannin, sugar
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Brown with irregular edge, darkening with heat and age.
CONTAINS: Tannins, sugar, fatty acids, alcohols, oils, milk, cream
- Apply detergent solution, blot (Use enzyme detergent if cream was present)..
- Apply vinegar solution, blot
- Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
* Ammonia will set stains on wool and silk but may help in removal from other fabrics.
STAIN: Usually absorbed with an irregular edge, sticky when wet, stiff when dry
CONTAINS: Honey, sugar, syrup, menthol, alcohol, flavoring, coloring matter
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Built, up, sometimes shiny
CONTAINS: Wax, grease, pigment, coloring matter
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: White and/or yellow, built-up, coagulates with heat
CONTAINS: Albumin, oils, fats, coloring matter
- Blot up as much as possible.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply cold ammonia solution, blot.
- If stain remains, apply enzyme detergent.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Absorbed, irregular edge
CONTAINS: Coloring matter, propylene glycol
- Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently. A dried stain will probably spread when wet.
- Repeat step 1 until color is no longer transferred to the towel.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.
STAIN: Light yellow or characteristic color of fruit, absorbed and splotchy with irregular edge.
CONTAINS: Tannin, acids, pulp, sugar, coloring matter.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
- If stain remains, apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Brownish or reddish, absorbed, with irregular edge
CONTAINS: Petroleum distillate, coloring matter
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Rinse with water and blot until dry.
* This stain is almost impossible to remove completely.
STAIN: Stiff and shiny, usually built-up
CONTAINS: Starches, gelatins, albumins
- Apply water, blot.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- If stain remains, heat the detergent solution slightly and repeat step 2.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Green and/or brown smudges
CONTAINS: Tannin, acids, oils, chlorophyll
- Apply amyl acetate if available to remove chlorophyll, blot.
- Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
* Bleaching (or professional stripping) may be necessary.
STAIN: Brownish, absorbed and built-up
CONTAINS: Meat extracts, starch, proteins, milk, flour, seasonings
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Apply en
STAIN: Greyish or brownish, absorbed or built-up
CONTAINS: Oils, sometimes soils
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Alternate steps 1 and 2 until stain is removed.
- If stain remains, apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
* Bleaching (or professional stripping) may be necessary.
STAIN: Absorbed and built-up, stiff when dry
CONTAINS: Cream, milk, egg, sugar, fruits, extracts, coloring matter
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
Stain: Can be any color, usually blue, absorbed
Contains: Basic, or soluble aniline dyes, insoluble organic solvents, oils, resins, gums, binding agents such as shellac, varnish or petroleum
- Apply drycleaning solvent
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply amyl acetate if available, or acetone (except on acetate fibers).
- If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
- Bleaching (or professional stripping) may be necessary.
STAIN: Absorbed, usually black
CONTAINS: Pigment (carbon black) dispersed in water with a blinder.
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Reddish or bluish, absorbed and built-up
CONTAINS: Pulp of fruit, sugar, tannin preservatives
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot.
- Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Red, pink, orange, soft and greasy
CONTAINS: Pigment or dye in fat, waxes and oils
- Scrape off excess with spatula or dull knife.
- Apply POG, blot, making sure not to reapply skin onto fabric.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply detergent, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
- Try to avoid wetcleaning on wool. Use POG and drycleaning solvents as long as possible.
STAIN: Orange-red, absorbed
CONTAINS: Eosin dye in alcohol solution
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Greyish or brownish fungus with black spots
- May permanently damage fibers
- Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot.
- Apply solution of oxidizing bleach (chlorine or perborate) * Do not use chlorine bleach on wool or silk.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Usually white, sometimes lighter in the center with heavier buildup around the edges
CONTAINS: Fats, albumins, water
- Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
- Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
STAIN: Either built-up or slightly absorbed , stiff with an irregular edge when dry
CONTAINS: Albumins, animal proteins and gums
- Apply hot enzyme detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Greyish, brownish, reddish or yellowish, absorbed and built-up
CONTAINS: Soil with greases and oils, clay, iron
- Bush or scape off as much as possible
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
- If stain remains, apply POG and drycleaning solvent alternately, blot until dry.
STAIN: Yellowish, absorbed or built-up
CONTAINS: Mustard seed, vinegar, salt, tumeric, oils, spices, flavorings
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- If stain remains, rust remover (oxalic acid solution) or bleaching may be necessary.
- Do not use ammonia or alkalies
STAIN: Usually pink or red, stiff, shiny, and built-up
CONTAINS: Red dye or pigment in a liquid cellulose acetate base, solvent, plasticizer
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply amyl acetate if available, or nail polish remover – PRETEST FIRST.
- If stain remains, apply detergent solution, blot until dry.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Circular, elongated or cross-shaped, darkening with age
CONTAINS: Petroleum, distillate or vegetable oil, polyglycerides, methyl silicate, preservatives.
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot
- Alternate drycleaning solvent and POG, blotting frequently.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Usually built-up and stiff
CONTAINS: Pigments, drying oils, resins, gums, volatile solvents
Check label on paint for specific thinner or solvent OR
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Alternate steps 2 and 3 until stain is removed.
- If stain persists weight down the stain with towels dampened with drycleaning solvent for several hours to loosen, blot with solvent.
- Apply several drops of detergent solution and work into the stain, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Alternate steps 2,3, and 6 until stain is removed.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Absorbed or built-up, stiff when dry
CONTAINS: Water, latex, pigments, emulsifiers, preservatives
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solutrion, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
STAIN: White or clear, built-up, possible sticky or shiny
CONTAINS: Rubber (synthetic or natural), resin, solvent
- Roll the glue off if it has hardened sufficiently.
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply detergent soluiotn, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Reddish-brown, absorbed or built-up
CONTAINS: Oxides of iron
- Apply rust remover or warm oxalic acid solution.
- Allow to stand for 10-15 minutes.
- Repeat with hot solution.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Usually black or brown, absorbed or built-up
CONTAINS: Waxes, resins, solvents, dyes, shellac, alcohol, tannin
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
- If stain persists, bleaching (or professional stripping) may be necessary.
STAIN: Colorless, yellowish, reddish, or brownish, darkening with age
CONTAINS: Tannin, sugar, vegetable coloring, flavoring, fruit extracts
- Apply cold detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Black spots or smudges
CONTAINS: Carbon, sulphur compounds, sometimes grease
- Apply drycleaning solvent, blot.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Black, shiny, built-up or absorbed, distinctive odor
CONTAIN: Coal tar or petroleum, sulphur compounds
- Scrape off as much as possible with spatula or dull knife.
- Apply drycleaning solvent.
- Apply POG, blot.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Rinse with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Whitish or greenish, absorbed and built-up
CONTAINS: Soap, bleaching compound, flavoring, fluoride compound
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Yellowish or brown, darkening with age, absorbed
CONTAINS; Urea, uric acid, ammonia, organic acids, pigments, cholesterol, albumins, proteoses
- Blot up as much as possible if still wet.
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
- If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
- Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate might be necessary.
*Urine stains may cause permanent dye removal from fibers.
STAIN: Various colors, absorbed and built-up
CONTAINS: Food mucus, albumins, acids
- Blot up as much as possible.
- Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
STAIN: Reddish or purple, absorbed
CONTAINS: Alcohol, sugar, tannin, coloring matter
- Apply detergent solution, blot.
- Apply vinegar solution, blot.
- Apply ammonia solution, blot.
- If necessary, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
