Stain Removal Tips

Helpful Tips For Common Stains


Helpful Cleaning Solutions to Use to Remove Spots


  1. Vinegar Solution: Mix 1/3 cup white vinegar with 2/3 cup water.
  2. Ammonia Solution: Mix 1 tablespoon of clear ammonia for every ½ cup of water.
  3. Detergent Solution: Mix ½ teaspoon dishwashing soap (without bleach or lanolin) with 1 quart of water.
  4. Spray bottles for applying water & solutions.
  5. White paper towels or white terry (absorbent) towels.
  6. Isopropyl rubbing alcohol.
  7. Spoon & dull knife.
  8. Brick or other heavy item.



NOTE: ALWAYS LABEL ALL SOLUTIONS AND KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND/OR ANIMALS.

  • Stains That Cannot Be Removed

    Acid toilet bowl cleaners, acne medication, alkaline drain cleaners, chlorinated bleaches, hair dyes, iodine, insecticides, mustard with turmeric, plant fertilizers and stains of this nature cannot be removed because they permanently alter the carpet's color. Call Bliss Carpet Care Inc immediately @ (508) 234-7500. We may have to replace the section of carpet.

  • Beer, Coffee, Perfume, Tea, Wine

    Blot with a white paper towel to remove as much of the stain as possible. Then, neutralize with a white vinegar solution . Saturate the spot using a spray bottle and blot to remove excess moisture. After neutralizing, try the following:



    Apply a small amount of a detergent solution to the spot (1/4 teaspoon detergent per 1 qt. of water). Blot with a white paper towel to work the detergent into the affected area. If the spot is being removed, continue applying detergent and blotting until spot is completely removed. Using a spray bottle, rinse with tap water, and then blot to remove excess moisture. Next, spray lightly with water, but instead of blotting, apply a pad of paper towels, weigh them down with a brick and allow to dry. If the stain remains, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Because light will change peroxide back to water, no rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down with a brick. Allow carpet to dry. Remove brick and towels and brush up the pile.


  • Berries, Children's Drink Mix, Fruit Juice, Water-based Spots

    Blot up as much of the spill as possible with a white paper towel. Use a wet vacuum for a large spill. If the spot has dried, saturate the tufts in the affected area with tap water (do not over wet). After about a minute, blot up the water. If the water proves effective, continue until the spot is completely removed. Blot dry, and apply the paper towels and brick. If it is not completely removed, try the following:



    Apply a small amount of a detergent solution to the spot (1/4 teaspoon detergent per 1 qt. of water). Blot with a white paper towel to work the detergent into the affected area. If the spot is being removed, continue applying detergent and blotting until spot is completely removed. Using a spray bottle, rinse with tap water, and then blot to remove excess moisture. Next, spray lightly with water, but instead of blotting, apply a pad of paper towels, weigh them down with a brick and allow to dry. If the stain remains, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Because light will change peroxide back to water, no rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down with a brick. Allow carpet to dry. Remove brick and towels and brush up the pile.

  • Blood, Catsup, Cheese, Chocolate, Cola, Cough Syrup, Mixed Drinks, Soft Drinks, Soy Sauce, Starch, Toothpaste, Watercolor, White Glue

    Blot with white paper towels to remove as much of the stain as possible. Then, neutralize the spot with an ammonia solution, using a spray bottle to saturate the spot. Do not wet the backing. Blot with a white paper towel to remove excess moisture. NOTE: All solutions for removing blood must be cool.


    After neutralizing, try the following:


    Apply a small amount of a detergent solution to the spot (1/4 teaspoon detergent per 1 qt. of water). Blot with a white paper towel to work the detergent into the affected area. If the spot is being removed, continue applying detergent and blotting until spot is completely removed. Using a spray bottle, rinse with tap water, and then blot to remove excess moisture. Next, spray lightly with water, but instead of blotting, apply a pad of paper towels, weigh them down with a brick and allow to dry. If the stain remains, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Because light will change peroxide back to water, no rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down with a brick. Allow carpet to dry. Remove brick and towels and brush up the pile.

  • Asphalt, Butter, Calamine Lotion, Crayon, Furniture Polish, Gravy, Grease, Hand Lotion, Ice Cream, Ink (Ballpoint), Ink (Fountain Pen), Lacquer, Make-up, Mayonnaise, Milk, Oil, Paint (Latex), Paint (Oil), Play Dough, Rubber Cement, Salad Oil, Sauces, Shoe Polish, Shortening, Tar, Vaseline, Unknown Spots

    Remove as much foreign material as possible by blotting with a white paper towel or scraping with a dull knife. Apply isopropyl rubbing alcohol to a clean white cloth, white paper towel or cotton ball. If the spot extends deep into the pile, blot until it is removed or no color transfers to the cloth. Do not allow the alcohol to penetrate the backing, as it will destroy the latex bond. If the spot is on the surface only, rub in one direction at a time.




    If rubbing removes the spot, blot dry and stack several white paper towels over the damp area. Place a brick or similarly weighted object on the towels to keep them in contact with the carpet. The towels will absorb any stain wicking up from the backing to the carpet surface. Allow carpet to dry, remove the brick and towels, and brush up the pile.




    NOTE: Never use a circular motion to remove a spot as this may destroy the texture.

  • Candle Wax

    For candle wax or other types of wax: Spread brown paper (such as a grocery bag) or a terry cloth towel over the area and iron with the setting on "warm". The wax will be absorbed into the paper or terry towel. Remove any traces with alcohol or dry cleaning fluid by blotting.

  • Candy

    Apply a small amount of a detergent solution to the spot (1/4 teaspoon detergent per 1 qt. of water). Blot with a white paper towel to work the detergent into the affected area. If the spot is being removed, continue applying detergent and blotting until spot is completely removed. Using a spray bottle, rinse with tap water, and then blot to remove excess moisture. Next, spray lightly with water, but instead of blotting, apply a pad of paper towels, weigh them down with a brick and allow to dry. If the stain remains, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Because light will change peroxide back to water, no rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down with a brick. Allow carpet to dry. Remove brick and towels and brush up the pile.

  • Chewing Gum

    For chewing gum: Freeze the gum using an ice cube. Shatter the frozen gum with a knife handle, then vacuum. Some citrus-based products have been demonstrated to break down the stickiness of gum so that it can be removed.

  • Dirt

    For mud: Allow mud to dry completely. Shatter the dried mud with the handle of a knife, then vacuum.




    Apply a small amount of a detergent solution to the spot (1/4 teaspoon detergent per 1 qt. of water). Blot with a white paper towel to work the detergent into the affected area. If the spot is being removed, continue applying detergent and blotting until spot is completely removed. Using a spray bottle, rinse with tap water, and then blot to remove excess moisture. Next, spray lightly with water, but instead of blotting, apply a pad of paper towels, weigh them down with a brick and allow to dry. If the stain remains, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Because light will change peroxide back to water, no rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down with a brick. Allow carpet to dry. Remove brick and towels and brush up the pile.

  • Egg, Excrement, Urine, Vomit

    For egg, excrement, urine or vomit: Remove as much of the stain as possible by using a spoon or dull knife. Blot up as much of the stain as possible, then neutralize by spraying the affected area with an ammonia solution. Care should be taken to remove all protein matter. Blot to remove excess moisture, then try the following:




    Apply a small amount of a detergent solution to the spot (1/4 teaspoon detergent per 1 qt. of water). Blot with a white paper towel to work the detergent into the affected area. If the spot is being removed, continue applying detergent and blotting until spot is completely removed. Using a spray bottle, rinse with tap water, and then blot to remove excess moisture. Next, spray lightly with water, but instead of blotting, apply a pad of paper towels, weigh them down with a brick and allow to dry. If the stain remains, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Because light will change peroxide back to water, no rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down with a brick. Allow carpet to dry. Remove brick and towels and brush up the pile.

  • Soot (Graphite/copy Machine Material)

    For soot, including graphite and copier material: Vacuum using the crevice tool. If vacuuming does not remove all or most of the soot, call a professional cleaner. If vacuuming has removed all particles, do the following to remove traces.




    Remove as much foreign material as possible by blotting with a white paper towel or scraping with a dull knife. Apply isopropyl rubbing alcohol to a clean white cloth, white paper towel or cotton ball. If the spot extends deep into the pile, blot until it is removed or no color transfers to the cloth. Do not allow the alcohol to penetrate the backing, as it will destroy the latex bond. If the spot is on the surface only, rub in one direction at a time.

  • Household Cement

    Apply a small amount of a detergent solution to the spot (1/4 teaspoon detergent per 1 qt. of water). Blot with a white paper towel to work the detergent into the affected area. If the spot is being removed, continue applying detergent and blotting until spot is completely removed. Using a spray bottle, rinse with tap water, and then blot to remove excess moisture. Next, spray lightly with water, but instead of blotting, apply a pad of paper towels, weigh them down with a brick and allow to dry. If the stain remains, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Because light will change peroxide back to water, no rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down with a brick. Allow carpet to dry. Remove brick and towels and brush up the pile.

  • Nail Polish

    Remove as much of the nail polish as possible using a spoon or dull knife. Apply a non-oily nail polish remover to a clean white cloth and gently rub (one direction at a time) or blot the spot. Continue until spot is removed. Do not allow nail polish remover to get to the latex backing. Do the following to remove the nail polish remover.




    Apply a small amount of a detergent solution to the spot (1/4 teaspoon detergent per 1 qt. of water). Blot with a white paper towel to work the detergent into the affected area. If the spot is being removed, continue applying detergent and blotting until spot is completely removed. Using a spray bottle, rinse with tap water, and then blot to remove excess moisture. Next, spray lightly with water, but instead of blotting, apply a pad of paper towels, weigh them down with a brick and allow to dry. If the stain remains, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Because light will change peroxide back to water, no rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down with a brick. Allow carpet to dry. Remove brick and towels and brush up the pile.

  • Rust

    Using a spray bottle, saturate the spot with lemon juice and let stand for 5 minutes. Do the following to remove the lemon juice (if this does not work, call a professional).


    NOTE: Most rust removers contain a strong acid and are not recommended for household use.




    Apply a small amount of a detergent solution to the spot (1/4 teaspoon detergent per 1 qt. of water). Blot with a white paper towel to work the detergent into the affected area. If the spot is being removed, continue applying detergent and blotting until spot is completely removed. Using a spray bottle, rinse with tap water, and then blot to remove excess moisture. Next, spray lightly with water, but instead of blotting, apply a pad of paper towels, weigh them down with a brick and allow to dry. If the stain remains, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Because light will change peroxide back to water, no rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down with a brick. Allow carpet to dry. Remove brick and towels and brush up the pile.

Need more information? Call us at (508) 234-7500 to speak with one of our experts.

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