740-676-2178

Cleaning Tips

How to Remove 23 Common Stains

Treat a spill or stain immediately

Remove excess material by blotting with a clean, white, absorbent material or by scraping with a dull knife or ruler. Clean the remaining stain as indicated on the chart below. DO NOT OVERWET! Prior to application, test removal agent in an inconspicuous place. If it doesn’t discolor, then proceed with the removal of the spot or stain.

After the carpet dries, then gently brush pile to restore texture. Some stains require professional treatment. If you are not sure of proper treatment, please, give us a call. Use our easy, Four Part, ready-to-use Spot Kit or you can use the following substitute home-made solutions from the “Substitution Chart.”

Substitution Chart

  • Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water.
  • Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.
  • Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover: Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Carbona, Energine, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful to sizings, backings, or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride. (This cannot be made at home, we recommend that you purchase this product from one of our technicians or a local janitorial supply company.)
  • Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water.

    • Blood
    Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
    Butter & Margarine
    Apply Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover: Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Carbona, Energine, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful to sizings, backings, or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride. (This cannot be made at home, we recommend that you purchase this product from one of our technicians or a local janitorial supply company.)

    Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
    Chocolate
    Scrape off as much as possible with a spatula or dull knife.

    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water.

    Apply Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.
    Coffee
    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.
    Crayons
    Apply Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover: Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Carbona, Energine, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful to sizings, backings, or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride. (This cannot be made at home, we recommend that you purchase this product from one of our technicians or a local janitorial supply company.)

    Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Food Coloring
    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water.

    Apply Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.
    Furniture Stains
    Apply Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover: Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Carbona, Energine, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful to sizings, backings, or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride. (This cannot be made at home, we recommend that you purchase this product from one of our technicians or a local janitorial supply company.)

    Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Grass
    Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water.

    Apply Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.
    Ink (Ballpoint)
    Apply Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover: Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Carbona, Energine, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful to sizings, backings, or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride. (This cannot be made at home, we recommend that you purchase this product from one of our technicians or a local janitorial supply company.)

    Apply Rubbing Alcohol, blot. **CAUTION: Dried stains may spread when wet.
    Jam & Jelly
    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.
    Ketchup & Tomato Sauce
    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water.
    Lipstick
    Scrape off lipstick with spatula, dull knife.

    Apply Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover: Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Carbona, Energine, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful to sizings, backings, or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride. (This cannot be made at home, we recommend that you purchase this product from one of our technicians or a local janitorial supply company.)

    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water.

    Apply Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.
    Mildew
    Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water.

    Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry. WARNING: While bleach is effective on mildew, most carpets will be ruined by bleach!
    Mud
    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
    Mustard
    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. *Do not use ammonia or alkalies. This spot has dispersed dyes and may not respond well. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.
    Nail Polish
    Apply Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover: Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Carbona, Energine, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful to sizings, backings, or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride. (This cannot be made at home, we recommend that you purchase this product from one of our technicians or a local janitorial supply company.)

    If necessary, apply nail polish remover. Please test in an inconspicuous area first. It may damage carpet fibers and backing. If stain remains, apply Spot Out or General Spotter, blot until dry.
    Paint (Water Based)
    (For fresh paint) Apply Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover: Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Carbona, Energine, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful to sizings, backings, or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride. (This cannot be made at home, we recommend that you purchase this product from one of our technicians or a local janitorial supply company.)

    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
    Paint (Oil Based)
    *Check the label on paint for specific thinner or solvent OR Apply Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover, blot.

    If stain persists, weight down the stain with towels dampened with Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover for several hours to loosen, blot with Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover.

    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

    Rinse thoroughly with warm water, blot until dry. The amount of solvent necessary may damage the carpet and its backing!
    Shoe Polish
    Apply Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover: Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Carbona, Energine, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful to sizings, backings, or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride. (This cannot be made at home, we recommend that you purchase this product from one of our technicians or a local janitorial supply company.)

    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water.

    Apply Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.
    Urine
    Blot up as much as possible if still wet.

    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.
    Vomit
    Blot up as much as possible.

    Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water.

    Apply Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.
    Wax
    With this type of stain, we usually recommend that you call Long’s at 740-676-2178

    Scrape off as much as possible with a spatula or dull knife.

    Apply Gum, Tar, & Grease Remover: Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Carbona, Energine, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful to sizings, backings, or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride. (This cannot be made at home, we recommend that you purchase this product from one of our technicians or a local janitorial supply company.)
    Wine
    Apply Spot Out or General Spotter: Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

    Apply Pet Stain & Odor Remover: Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry. Apply Blood & Protein Spotter: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with one-half cup of water.

    Contact us today!

    Phone: 740-676-2178
    Email: [email protected]

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