House Cleaning Tips
Carpet Stain
Removal
Chocolate & Cocoa
Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a
clean absorbent towel and scraping up solids with the dull
edge of a knife. Sponge lightly with cool water an blot
several times. Apply diluted carpet shampoo (1 part liquid
carpet shampoo to 4 parts water) with a brush or towel. Let
the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.
Egg
Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a
clean absorbent towel and scraping up solids with the dull
edge of a knife. Sponge lightly with cool water an blot
several times. Apply diluted carpet shampoo (1 part liquid
carpet shampoo to 4 parts water) with a brush or towel. Let
the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.
Gum
Freeze the gum residue with ice cubes
in a plastic bag. Break or scrape off brittle gum. Shampoo,
let dry, then vacuum.
Lipstick
Remove excess material by blotting up lipstick with a
cleaning solvent such as Energine according to product
directions. (Test in an inconspicuous place to make sure
carpet color is not removed.) Some spot cleaners dry to a
powder. If this type is used, vacuum before continuing.
Apply carpet shampoo (diluted 1 part liquid carpet shampoo
to 4 parts water) with a brush or towel. Let the area dry
thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.
Milk
Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a
clean absorbent towel. Sponge lightly with cool water and
blot several times. Apply diluted carpet shampoo (1 part
liquid carpet shampoo to 4 parts water) with a brush or
towel. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if
necessary.
Mustard
Mix one teaspoon mild dishwashing detergent with a cup of
lukewarm water. Apply small amounts of the cleaning solution
with a clean, white absorbent towel. Blot frequently and
continue to apply and blot until the staining material is no
longer transferred to the absorbent material. If stain
remains, mix one third cup white vinegar with two-thirds
cups of water. Apply using the same technique as with the
detergent. If stain sill remains, mix a solution of powdered
enzyme laundry products such as Biz bleach or laundry
detergent following direction on the label or box. Cover the
stain with a cloth drenched in the solution and allow to
remain on the stain for the length of time recommended by
the manufacturer. Rinse the area with clean water. Blot dry.
Rust
Sponge with rubbing alcohol (or a solution of alcohol and
water) and blot quickly with clean dry towel. Repeat several
times until no more stain is absorbed into towel. Apply
diluted carpet shampoo (1 part liquid carpet shampoo to 4
parts water) with a brush or towel. Let the area dry
thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.
Tar
Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a
clean absorbent towel and scraping up solids with the dull
edge of a knife. Apply a spot cleaner or dry cleaning
solvent according to the product directions. Examples:
Energine, K2r. (Some spot cleaners dry to a powder. Example:
K2r. If this type is used, vacuum before continuing.) Apply
carpet shampoo (diluted 1 part liquid carpet shampoo to 4
parts water) with a brush or towel. Let the area dry
thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.
Urine
Blot up excess with clean towel. Sponge with cool water
and blot, then sponge with solution of equal parts water and
white vinegar and blot well. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum.
Commercial products designed to remove protein based stains
such as urine may be available from veterinarians.
Vomit
Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a
clean absorbent towel and scraping up solids with the dull
edge of a knife. Sponge lightly with cool water and blot
several times. Apply diluted carpet shampoo (1 part liquid
carpet shampoo to 4 parts water) with a brush or towel. Let
the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.
1993-bc (revised 9-94)
Copyright Information
Copyright 1995 by the Board of Trustees of the University of
Illinois.
Authors and publishers have granted
permission for copies of this work or parts of this work to
be reproduced, provided that:
copies are distributed at or below the cost of reproduction;
the author(s), publication, and the University of Illinois,
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
and the relevant division with the college are identified;
and
proper notice of copyright is affixed to each copy.
The information provided is for educational purposes only.
References to commercial products or trade names do not
constitute an endorsement by the University of Illinois and
do not imply discrimination against other similar products.
Please send suggestions and comments to
solutions@aces.uiuc.edu
University of Illinois, College of Agricultural, Consumer
and Environmental Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service".
