Treatment of Spills, Spots, and Stains
How this page works
Refer to the table below and find your Spill/Spot. The Spill/Spot has a corresponding treatment number(s) which relates to a Treatment Agent (scroll down to find the blue headings). Follow the Treatment Procedures, A through F, to perform the cleaning process.
If in doubt call us.
These are basic tips only. Spill removal can be very involved. We can accept no responsibility for the overall outcome of in-home spill removal. Some fibres can react to certain chemicals and it is always recommended to pre-test solution in an inconspicuous area.
We are trained technicians. Call us to remove spills and clean your carpet. Carpet manufacturers suggest cleaning once per 12 months. Regular vacuuming (1-2 times per week) will prevent excessive wear caused by harmful dry soils (you can’t over-vacuum your carpet).
| Spill/Spot | Treatment Agent* |
| Asphalt | 4 – 6 – 2 |
| Alcoholic Beverages | 1 – 2 – 3 |
| Bleach | 1 – 3 |
| Blood | 1 – 2 – 7 – 3 |
| Butter | 6 – 5 – 2 |
| Chocolate | 6 – 2 |
| Coffee | 1 – 3 – 2 |
| Cola | 1 – 2 |
| Cooking Oil | 6 – 5 – 2 |
| Cream | 6 – 5 – 2 |
| Egg | 1 – 2 – 7 – 3 |
| Faeces | 1 – 2 – 7 – 3 |
| Fruit Juice | 3 – 2 |
| Gravy | 1 – 2 |
| Gum | 4 – 5 – 2 |
| Ink | 4 |
| Lipstick | 4 – 3 – 2 |
| Margarine | 6 – 5 – 2 |
| Milk | 1 – 2 – 7 – 3 |
| Mustard | 1 – 3 – 2 |
| Nail Polish | 4 – 2 |
| Oil (motor) | 5 – 6 – 2 |
| Orange Juice | 3 – 2 |
| Paint (water based) | 1 – 2 |
| Paint (oil based) | 5 – 6 |
| Shoe Polish | 5 – 6 – 2 |
| Soft Drink | 1 – 2 |
| Tar | 4 – 6 – 2 |
| Tea | 3 – 2 |
| Texta | 5 – 6 – 1 |
| Tomato Sauce | 3 – 2 – 7 – 3 |
| Urine | 1 – 2 – 7 – 3 |
| Vomit | 1 – 2 – 7 – 3 |
| Wine | 1 – 3 – 2 |
| Wax – Candle | 8 |
| Unknown Spill/Spot | 1 – 2 |
* Treatment Agents are used during step C.
Treatment Agents
- Cold water
- Detergent mix
(GENERAL SPOTS AND SPILLS) Add 10-20 mls of dish washing liquid (no bleaches or strong alkalies) and 10-20 mls of white vinegar with 500ml of warm (not hot) water. - Vinegar Solution
1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water. - Clear nail polish remover
(Acetone) without lanolin (HARD SPOTS – Glue, Nail polish, Paint).
Apply with clean white towelling (to dry carpet only) and continue till spill colour no longer transfers to the towel. - Methylated Spirits
- Eucalyptus Oil
(OILY OR GREASY SPOTS) – Grease, Cream. - Ammonia solution
1 part Ammonia to 5 parts water. Never use cloudy ammonia. - Hot Iron
Use hot iron (no steam) on absorbent paper towel. Wax will melt into towel. Take care not to touch iron surface to carpet. - Hydrogen peroxide 3% volume.
Use on remaining discolouration (available from chemist) apply from household trigger spray bottle.
Use only after the carpet has dried. May be applied 3 to 4 times at 24-hour intervals without the need for rinsing. NB: stronger dilutions may effect carpet colour.
Treatment Procedures
STEP A
Remove as much solid or excess matter as possible. Scoop or scrape with a butter knife.
STEP B
Blot excess liquids with towelling or white paper towels. Blot from outer edges of spill and work towards the centre to prevent the spill spreading.
NB: NEVER RUB – Always BLOT.
Continue till little or no colour is transferring to cloth. (Initial blotting can be done with a sponge for rapid removal).
STEP C
Refer to chart and follow procedure. Apply with clean towel. Continue till spill colour no longer transfers to the towel.
STEP D
Thoroughly rinse with cold water (don’t soak).
STEP E
Blot with clean dry towel until all excess water is removed. Then ventilate with household fan blowing across (not down onto) the effected area.
STEP F
Vacuum carpet once dry.
STEP G
If you’re unhappy with the results, please call HeartFelt.
Real results
