Current Tips - Carpet Spotting Guide

February 10, 2003

Procedures for removing different types of carpet stains and spots.

Remember that after cleaning is completed, always make sure that all chemicals are removed from the carpet by flushing with clean fresh water. This is best done using a carpet extractor or carpet spotting machine.

Listed after the spotting guide are further definitions of the chemicals and tools identified.

From the list below pick the stain you are attempting to remove. Then reference the cleaning procedure below using the number listed to the right of the stain.

STAINS

Always scrape, blot or vacuum excess first

After spotting, dry quickly with a towel, fan or hair dryer

For Stain Resistant Carpets - Use procedure 16 on all spots. If spot is not removed, use procedure listed for stain. Rinse and apply FLUOROCARBON to restore stain resistance.

For Wool, Cotton and Natural Fibers – Use procedure 16 on all spots. If spot is not removed, use procedure listed for stain and rinse with a MILD ACID chemical

Cleaning Procedure

1. Saturate spot with DETERGENT, allow to set 1 minute, tamp vigorously with brush, flush with water, extract or blot dry. Repeat if necessary.
2. Moisten spot with NON-VOLATILE SOLVENT, allow to set 5 minutes, tamp occasionally with tamping brush. Apply DETERGENT, tamp, and flush out with water, extract with water. Repeat if necessary.
3. Moisten spot with VOLATILE DRY SOLVENT and blot with cloth removing as much as possible. Moisten spot with NON-VOLATILE SOLVENT, allow 5 minutes with occasional agitation using tamping brush. Flush with DETERGENT, agitate, and extract with water.
4. Saturate spot with DETERGENT, allow to set 2 minutes, agitate with tamping brush, flush with water, extract or blot dry. Apply ACID SPOTTER and allow to set 2 minutes, extract or blot dry.
5. Saturate spot with RUST REMOVER, watch the color disappear, flush with water, extract with water.
6. Steam the spot by covering with white towel and applying a steam iron to the spot. The wax will melt and transfer to the towel. Moisten the spot with VOLATILE DRY SOLVENT, blot dry, then saturate the spot with DETERGENT, allow to set 1 minute, agitate with tamping brush, flush with water and extract.
7. Mix 1 ounce of ENZYME CLEANER in a quart of hot water (120 to 140 degrees F), apply this solution to the spot and cover with a warm damp white towel. Allow to set for 30 minutes, flush out with water, extract or blot dry. Repeat if necessary.
8. Use caution. This procedure and chemical can cause damage to carpet color. Make sure to test for loss of color in an inconspicuous place. Apply REDUCING AGENT liberally to the spot and cover with cloth for 10 minutes. Repeat if necessary. Flush out with water, extract or blot dry.
9. Moisten spot with NON-VOLATILE SOLVENT. Apply DETERGENT immediately after to prevent bleeding of color, flush out with water, extract or blot dry. Repeat if necessary.
10. Saturate the area with DETERGENT, working in with tamping brush, flush with water and extract or blot dry. Saturate area with DEODORANT, extract or blot dry.
11. Saturate the spot with DETERGENT, allow to set 2 minutes, agitate with tamping brush, flush with water, extract or blot dry. Apply ACID SPOTTER, to the spot and allow to set 2 minutes, extract or blot dry. If the spot isn’t out, it may be a dye, so proceed as follows: Test carpet in an inconspicuous place for possible loss of color or pattern. Saturate spot with DYE REMOVER, covering with a white cotton or paper towel and apply steam from a steam iron for 30 seconds. If color transfers on the towel, repeat the same procedure for 15-20 seconds on the spot. Keep towel and spot wet with DYE REMOVER and move towel on each press. When spot is removed, or no color transfers, flush out with water, extract or blot dry.
12. Test carpet in an inconspicuous place for possible loss of color or pattern. Saturate spot with DYE REMOVER, covering with a white cotton or paper towel and apply steam or a steam iron for 30 seconds. If color transfers on the towel, repeat the same procedure for 15-20 seconds on the spot. Keep towel and spot wet with DYE REMOVER and move towel on each press. When spot is removed or no color transfers flush out with water, extract or blot dry.
13. Remove excess gum with scraper, punch holes in remaining gum, apply GUM REMOVER and allow to set for 2 minutes. Extract with hot water or remove with damp cloth. When you can no longer see any material, saturate area with DETERGENT, agitate with bone scraper, flush with water, extract or blot dry.
14. Moisten cloth with GUM REMOVER and blot lightly, keeping the adhesive or varnish wet so that it will slowly absorb onto the cloth. When you can no longer see any material, saturate area with DETERGENT, agitate with bone scraper, flush with water, extract or blot dry.
15. On reoccurring spots simply re-clean with the appropriate procedure. Cover the spot with a clean towel and weight it down until dry. The spot that comes back simply absorbs into the towel and leaves the carpet clean.
16. Saturate the spot with STAIN RESIST DETERGENT, allow to set for 3 minutes, agitate occasionally with tamping brush, extract or blot dry.
17. Saturate the spot with a DETERGENT, allow to set 2 minutes, agitate with tamping brush, flush with water, extract or blot dry. Apply ACID SPOTTER to the spot and allow to set 2 minutes, extract or blot dry. If the spot isn’t out, it may be a DYE, so proceed as follows: Test carpet in an inconspicuous place for possible loss of color or pattern. Saturate spot with DYE REMOVER, covering it with a white cotton or paper towel and apply steam from a steam iron for 30 seconds. If the color transfers on the towel, repeat the same procedure for 15 to 20 seconds on the spot. Keep towel and spot wet with DETERGENT and move towel on each press. When spot is removed or no color transfers flush out with water, extract or blot dry.

These procedures have resulted in satisfactory cleaning outcomes in various situations. However DSC Products and/or Tennant Company cannot be held liable for varying results. Tennant is not liable for any damages resulting from using these procedures.

Glossary of Terms

Acid Spotter – Any low pH "acid" product, usually acetic, citric, phosphoric or sulfuric. Household vinegar may be used diluted with water 50-50

Bone Scraper – A dull, chemical resistant knife

Deodorant – A counteractant that prevents or conceals unpleasant smells

Detergent – A cleaning product that suspends soils for removal

Enzyme Cleaner –A cleaning product that digests organic substances by catalytic action. Enzyme cleaners are good for cleaning protein stains such as food

Fluorocarbon – A fiber protector known as Teflonä , Scotchguardä , Fibre-Tecä ...etc.

Gum Remover – A solvent used to soften and breakdown the sticky properties of gum

Mild Acid - A cleaning chemical that is slightly on the acidic side of the "pH" scale, usually 4-6.

After an alkaline chemical is used, a rinse with an acidic product will neutralize fibers.

Non-Volatile Dry Solvent – A blend of solvents with some water used to suspend oil based spots while extracting

Reducing Agent – A whitening agent opposite of bleaching

Stain Resistant Detergent – A neutral pH cleaner that does not affect the stain resistant properties of fibers.

Tamp – Light repeated vertical tapping with a brush

Tamping Brush – A brush made for agitation of fibers with short compact soft bristles

Volatile Dry Solvent – A heavy solvent without water and quick drying properties

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