Cleaning Tips
You'll find some simple tips to help you tackle common cleaning problems below. If you don't see the information you need, or if you're at all unsure how best to proceed, please call us on 01362 688 408 or contact us here and we'll be happy to help.
First Aid Stain Treatment
Accidents will happen. If something gets spilled on your carpet, take prompt action to prevent staining. You will need some clean white absorbent cloth or tissue, and the four basic solutions listed below. (Please check that your fabric is colourfast, and safe to clean, by testing all solutions in an inconspicuous area before application).
Dry Cleaning Solution – Surgical Spirit.
Detergent Solution – One teaspoonful of gentle detergent for washing woollens to half a pint (0.3 litres) of warm water.
Detergent and Vinegar Solution – Add one tablespoonful of white (not malt) vinegar to the Detergent Solution.
Ammonia Solution – One teaspoonful of branded household ammonia (available from hardware stores), to one cup of warm water.
Tackle the stains as follows:
Alcohol, Coffee, Tea, Liquid Foods and Urine. Blot up surplus spillage. Use Detergent and Vinegar Solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain inwards, using a little at a time, blotting up with dry cloths frequently. See below for final rinse procedure.
Chocolate, Sweets, Blood, Glue, Egg, Ice Cream, Milk, Soft Drinks, and Vomit. Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use a Detergent Solution starting at the outer edge. Blot dry. Follow up with Ammonia Solution. Blot dry. See below for final rinse procedure.
Solids, Fats, Tar, Chewing Gum, Oil, Ointment and Shoe Polish. Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use a Dry Cleaning Solution followed by Detergent and Vinegar Solution. Blot dry. See below for final rinse procedure.
Unknown stains. Scrape up or blot surplus spillage. Use a Dry Cleaning Solvent followed by clean luke warm water. Blot dry. If further treatment is needed, use either Detergent Solution or Detergent and Vinegar Solution. Blot dry. See below for final rinse procedure.
Final Rinse Procedure
This rinse procedure is applicable to all the above methods of the stain removal. Simply mix one-part white vinegar and four-part water. Pour mixture into a spray bottle and spray over the stained area. Blot dampened area (do not rub) to remove excess moisture. Spread white kitchen towel (stacked 6-8 sheets deep) over the affected area and place a weight, such as a book, directly on top. This will help moisture residue to soak into the towels. Leave overnight and repeat if necessary.
Do not soak area with water to dilute the stain. Yes, it will probably dilute it but it will magnify the problem by moving your problem deeper into the carpet backing and underlay. Try and resolve the problem by tackling it closer to the surface. This will accelerate the drying time which is crucial.
Do not rub the area to loosen up the stain. All this does is breaks up the fabric construction. You may succeed by removing a stain but you will also break up the carpet pile or fabric.
Different strokes for different folks...
When vacuuming the carpet, stroke the carpet from at least 2 different directions. The reason is quite simple. The vacuum head (especially if it has a revolving cylindrical brush) moves the pile in only one direction. By facing the vacuum head in a different direction, the pile will be lifted again, which will release even more dirt from the carpet. Result!
