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Rust stains

Rust should be cleaned using the Water Based Stains Cleaning Method. This type of stain can be removed with excellent success by a professional.

Tools & Technique:
Using a neutral pH low residue spotter, apply a small amount to cover the stain , blot and repeat blotting until the stain is removed. The idea here is to transfer the stain to the terry towel by applying the spotting agent and removing the stain by blotting with a dry terry towel.
An alternative spotting chemical is to mix 1 tsp. of neutral pH liquid detergent (dish washing or fine fabric detergent that does not contain any bleach ) into 1 cup of warm water. Tamp, do not scrub as this may distort the texture of of the pile. Cover with a white terry towel and press down repeatedly blotting up the stain as described earlier.
If the spot or stain turns brownish when dry, mix 1:2 white vinegar and water. Apply a small amount and blot. Repeat only once.

Water Based Stains on Carpets

Tools & Technique:

In all cases remove all excess dried material before attempting to clean. Remove by gently blotting or scraping off the excess stain. Blotting is the act of using a terry towel or an absorbant towel, and applying pressure to the stain with the dry towel in effect transfering the stain to the towel. It is important to use a clean preferably white towel.

Using a neutral pH low residue spotter, apply a small amount, blot with a terry towel and repeat blotting until the stain is removed. An alternative spotting chemical is 1 tsp. of neutral pH liquid detergent (dish washing or fine fabric detergent that does not contain any bleach ) into 1 cup of warm water. Tamp, do not scrub as this may distort the texture of of the pile. Cover with a white terry towel and press down repeatedly(blot). If the spot or stain turns brownish when dry, mix 1:2 white vinegar and water. Apply a small amount and blot. Repeat only once.

Oil Based Stains on Carpets

  • In all cases remove all excess dried material before attempting to clean.
  • Remove by gently blotting or scraping off the excess stain. Blotting is the act of using a terry towel or an absorbant towel and applying pressure to the stain with the dry towel, in effect transfering the stain to the towel. It is important to use a clean preferably white towel.
  • Apply a small amount of a volatile solvent and blot with a white terry towel.
  • Repeat this until the stain is removed or until no more of the stain will transfer onto the towel. Do not use solvents such as: gasoline or paint thinner.
  • Volatile solvents, such as acetone, nail polish remover or dry cleaning solvent, are available at some grocery stores or at your carpet cleaning supply retailer. A volatile solvent will dissipate at room temperature and will leave no residue. If you are using non-volatile solvents they must be completely rinsed with a volatile solvent. Non-volatile solvents (if left in the carpet) can cause delamination in synthetic carpets either immediately or over a period of time.

Tar on Clothes

Remove tar with solvent.  Dip the tar stained areas in the solvent and then blot out the tar stain with paper towels.  To fully remove the solvent from the clothes, rub some dish washing detergent on those spots and launder the clothes normally. You can also use a “bug & tar remover”.

What NOT to do when removing stains

Saturate the carpet with cleaning compounds.

Apply heat to the stain.

Vigorously scrub the stain.

Leave stain until later.

Not remove the dry excess stain proir to cleaning.

Not pretesting the carpet or stain.

Tomato Based Stains from Clothes

Tools & Chemicals:

  • Laundry pre-treatment
  • liquid detergent
  • all fabric bleach
  • bleach
  • dry cleaning fluid.

1. Soak the stain with a laundry pre-treatment.  Let sit for several minutes.  For stubborn stains, rub with a heavy-duty liquid detergent. Launder immediately.

2. If stain remains, soak the clothes in a solution of all-fabric powered bleach.  Be aware that all the colors may lighten.

3. If the stain remains, and the clothes is white or colorfast, soak in a solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water.  Read the label regarding the use of bleach. Bleach can damage some dyes and prints, and bleaching damage is irreversible.  If the stain is not removed in 15 minutes, it cannot be removed by bleaching and further bleaching will only weaken the fabric.

4. If the stain remains, apply dry-cleaning fluid to back of stain over absorbent white paper towels.  Check product label for instructions and follow carefully. Let dry;  rinse.  Launder as usual.

If all else fails soak your clothes in a vat of tomato sauce and at least you will have a consistant color!

Tomato Sauce on Carpets

General Info:
Be sure to check the helpful hints for the Do’s and Don’ts of Stain Removal and Six Sure Ways to Set Stains.

Tools & Chemicals:

  • dish washing or fine fabric detergent
  • white terry towels
  • white vinegar
  • warm water
  • measuring cup
  • spoon
  • vacuum

Technique:

  • Work on removing the stain as soon as you notice it.  The longer the stain is left on the carpet the greater the chances are of the stain setting.
  • In every case remove all excess wet or dry material before attempting to clean. Blot wet materials using a white terry towel (check helpful hints for a detailed description of blotting).
  • Vacuum excess dry materials or gently scrape up materials with a spoon.
  • Mix 1/2 tsp. of dish washing soap or fine fabric detergent into 1 (8 oz.)cup of warm water.
  • Apply a small amount, blot or tamp and repeat until the stain is removed.
  • Be patient. Complete removal may reqiure repeating the same step several times. Tamp down on the carpet, do not scrub as this may disort the texture of the pile.
  • Cover the stain with the towel and press down repeatedly to absorb the stain material and detergent.
  • Once the stain is completely removed, rinse the area with cold water; blot with a dry white terry towel until all moisture is removed.
  • Repeat this process several times to remove cleaning solution residue. (Residue can attract soils).
  • If the spot or stain turns brownish when dry, mix 1 part white vinegar and two parts water. Apply a small amount and blot. Repeat only once.

Precautions:
Never use a stronger concentration than is recommended. Never laundry detergent or automatic dish washing detergents because they may destroy or dye some fibers.

Tobacco Juice Stains

General Info:
Be sure to check the helpful hints for the Do’s and Don’ts of Stain Removal and Six Sure Ways to Set Stains.

Tools & Chemicals:

  • dish washing or fine fabric detergent
  • white terry towels
  • white vinegar
  • warm water
  • measuring cup
  • spoon
  • vacuum.

Technique:

  • Work on removing the stain as soon as you notice it. The longer the stain is left on the carpet the greater the chances are of the stain setting.
  • In every case remove all excess wet or dry material before attempting to clean. Blot wet materials using a white terry towel (check helpful hints for a detailed description of blotting).
  • Vacuum excess dry materials or gently scrape up materials with a spoon.
  • Mix 1/2 tsp. of dish washing soap or fine fabric detergent into 1 (8 oz.)cup of warm water.
  • Apply a small amount, blot or tamp and repeat until the stain is removed.
  • Be patient. Complete removal may reqiure repeating the same step several times. Tamp down on the carpet, do not scrub as this may disort the texture of the pile.
  • Cover the stain with the towel and press down repeatedly to absorb the stain material and detergent.
  • Once the stain is completely removed, rinse the area with cold water; blot with a dry white terry towel until all moisture is removed.
  • Repeat this process several times to remove cleaning solution residue. (Residue can attract soils).
  • If the spot or stain turns brownish when dry, mix 1 part white vinegar and two parts water. Apply a small amount and blot. Repeat only once.

Precautions:
Never use a stronger concentration than is recommended. Never laundry detergent or automatic dish washing detergents because they may destroy or dye some fibers.

Plastic Wrap Stuck on Fibreglass Bathtub

This question was submitted from Cassidy.

“I have a fiberglass bath tub that has been in the original heavy plastic wrap for a couple of years. I finally removed the wrap and some of it will not come off. I’ve tried “Goof Off”, and a variety of other products but nothing works. The area that the wrap is stuck to is about 1 foot square.”

Try these techniques:

  • Your best bet would be to heat up the plastic. You will have to be careful of not damaging the tub so I would try using a hairdryer.
  • Use a plastic scraper so you don’t damage the fiberglass. You should be able to get a plastic scraper at any hardware store.
  • You are on the right track with Goof Off, which is a strong solvent. However, since that did not work, you may want to try a dlimonene-based solvent/adhesive remover. These are available at professional janitorial supply stores.
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