Carpet Cleaning Guide
This document provides information about cleaning spots on carpet flooring.
Carpet Cleaning
The kids...the dog...a clumsy party guest. Accidents happen. In fact, removal of spots and spills is one of the most crucial areas of carpet maintenance. When anything is dropped or spilled, quick response with the proper cleaning material can save the day...and your carpet!For regular spot cleaning, the best Wool Safe products on the market are the WoolClean Products approved by Wools of New Zealand. These products were developed in cooperation with the professional carpet cleaning industry and are specifically designed for wool carpets & rugs, however they perform equally as well on floor coverings of other fibers.
When accidents happen:
- Blot up liquids with white paper towels or absorbent cloth; scoop up solids with the end of a knife or spoon.
- Treat the spot according to the cleaning instruction chart below.
- Apply spot removal agent to clean towel or cloth, not directly to the spot. Use small quantities at a time. Always work inwards from the edge to prevent spreading. Do not rub, as this may cause the spot to spread or distort the pile. Do not over-wet the carpet pile.
- Afterwards, blot as dry as possible with clean towel.
Spot Removal Chart
(click on the step numbers below to see instructions)| Type of Spot | Order of Treatment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | |
| Alcoholic Beverages | 1 | 2 | - |
| Bleach | 1 | 2 | - |
| Blood | 1 | 2 | - |
| Butter | 3 | 2 | - |
| Candle wax ** | - | - | - |
| Chewing Gum | 4 | 3 | - |
| Chocolate | 2 | 3 | - |
| Coffee | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Colas and Soft Drinks | 1 | 2 | - |
| Cooking Oils | 4 | 2 | - |
| Cream | 2 | 3 | - |
| Egg | 2 | - | - |
| Floor Wax | 3 | 2 | - |
| Fruit Juice | 1 | 2 | - |
| Furniture Polish | 3 | 2 | - |
| Gravy and Sauces | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Ink (Fountain Pen) | 1 | 2 | - |
| Ink (Ball Point) | 4 | 7 | 2 |
| Ink (Felt Tip) | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Ketchup | 5 | 2 | - |
| Lipstick | 3 | 2 | - |
| Mercurochrome * | 2 | 10 | - |
| Milk | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Mustard | 2 | - | - |
| Nail Polish | 6 | 3 | - |
| Oil and Grease | 3 | 2 | - |
| Paint (Latex) | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Paint (Oil) | 9 | 3 | 2 |
| Rust | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| Salad Dressing | 2 | 3 | - |
| Shoe Polish | 3 | 2 | - |
| Soot | 3 | 2 | - |
| Tar | 3 | - | - |
| Tea | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Urine (fresh) | 1 | 2 | - |
| Urine (old) | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| Vomit | 2 | - | - |
| Wine | 9 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Material | 3 | 10 | 2 |
* Repeat step 2
Warnings
Some chemicals are hazardous (corrosive, flammable, toxic, etc.) and should be used with great care, strictly in accordance with their use and safety instructions.DO NOT apply solvent-containing products or Dry Spot Remover #2 to bonded carpets (carpets that are not tufted or woven, but where the pile is bonded to the backing). When applying Dry Spot Remover #2 or other solvent-containing products, have the work area well ventilated.
DO NOT apply stain repellent treatments which contain any silicone because they tend to accelerate carpet soiling. (Some carpet manufacturers do not accept responsibility for complaints where such treatments have been used.)
Always pre-test a cleaning agent in an inconspicuous place, such as under a piece of furniture or in the corner of the room, to insure that it does not remove color.
Type Of Treatment
- Add cold water and blot
- Detergent solution or WoolClean Dry Spot Remover #1*
- Methylated mineral spirits, turpentine, or WoolClean Dry Spot Remover #2*
- Chill with aerosol freezing agent or ice cubes in a plastic bag. Pick or scrape off gum.
- Warm water
- Clean nail polish remover (preferably acetone)
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Rust remover
- Absorbent powder (e.g., salt, talc or Absorb-ItTM*)
- Absorbent cleaner (Host®, Capture®, or Dri-Matic®)
Cleaning Agents For Spot Removal
Detergent Solution Mix one teaspoon of clear dish washing liquid or detergent powder (containing no bleaches or strong alkalies) with a cup of warm (not hot) water. This solution must be well rinsed with clear water. WoolClean Spot Remover #1 is part of the WoolClean Spot Removal Kit.*Solvent
A dry cleaning solvent (available at grocery, drug and hardware stores) such as Methylated mineral spirits, turpentine, or WoolClean Dry Spot Remover #2.*Absorbent Cleaners
Host®, Capture® and Dri-Matic®Maintenance
Naturally easy maintenance
To protect the investment made in a Wools of New Zealand Brand carpet or rug, it's important to follow prescribed maintenance periodically to keep it looking and performing at its best. Cleaning at regular intervals - rather than waiting until the carpet is heavily soiled - actually extends its life. And when carpet life is increased, so is the return on your investment.Properly maintained carpets enhance the appearance and atmosphere of interiors either contract or residential. A well-maintained Wools of New Zealand Brand residential or commercial carpet absorbs dirt, airborne dust particles, fumes and noise. It even makes the indoor environment more hygienic. Maintenance makes sense. Maintaining the beauty of wool carpet is exceptionally easy - in fact, a lot easier than most people think. You see, wool's unique and complex fiber structure releases soil up to 25% more readily than synthetic carpet. Not only that, its scaly outer structure holds soil high on the pile, right where the vacuum can lift it out. Quickly and easy.
