First Aid for Wool Carpet
Provided by Flooring First
Treatment (cleansing agent) the stain removal chart includes advice on methods of treating stains and the order which the should be tried.
For instance, if clean water does not remove all traces of beverage, try a solution of biological washing powder next.
Most of the agent mentioned are easy to obtain, however, if you can not dye stripper (eg dygon) or hydrochloric acid, call a professional cleaner instead. A freezing agent is available in aerosol sprays, but you can use dry ice instead to harden chewing gum in order to remove it.
1 | Solution of 1 teaspoon of approved wool detergent with 1 teaspoon of white vinegar and 1 litre of warm water. | |
2 | Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas. | |
3 | Mineral turpentine. Effectiveness is increased if mixed with equal quantity of dry-cleaning fluid. Caution: as for number 2. | |
4 | Methelated spirits. Caution: as for number 2. | |
5 | Hydrogen peroxide (twenty vol) diluted 10 to 1 with cold water. Caution: do not use on dark or patterned carpet. | |
6 | Dye stripper. Dilute 50 to 1 with cold water. Caution: as for number 5. | |
7 | Chewing gum remover (freezing agent). | |
8 | Nail polish remover. | |
9 | Clean, warm (not hot) water. | |
10 | Cold water. | |
11 | Weak solution of white vinegar or lemon juice with cold water. | |
12 | Absorbent powder (salt or talc). Sprinkle on spillage, leave over night and vacuum next day. |
Important these instructions do not apply to synthetic (nylon, polypropylene etc) refer to manufacturers cleaning instructions.
Caution: Before proceeding to treat stain pre-test treatments on an inconspicuous part of the carpet to check for possible colour change.
Use the list of treatments with the table below.
NOTE : This advice is offered in good faith but no responsibility is accepted for claims arriving from the treatments proposed. If stains fail to respond to treatments listed, call a professional carpet cleaner immediately.
Stain Removal Chart | Order of Treatment | ||
Type of Stain | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Beer | 1 | ||
Beetroot | 1 | ||
Bleach | 1 | ||
Blood | 10 | 6 | |
Burn or Scorch Marks | 5 | ||
Butter | 2 | 1 | |
Chewing Gum | 7 | ||
Chocolate | 1 | 2 | |
Cocoa | 2 | 10 | 1 |
Coffee (black or white) | 2 | 10 | |
Cooking Oils | 2 | 1 | |
Crayon | 2 | 1 | |
Cream | 2 | 1 | |
Excrement | 1 | ||
Egg | 1 | ||
Fruit Juice | 9 | 1 | |
Furniture Polish | 2 | 1 | |
Grass | 4 | ||
Gravy | 9 | 1 | |
Grease | 2 | 1 | |
Ice Cream | 1 | ||
Ink - Ball Point | 4 | 1 | |
Ink - Fountain Pen | 9 | 1 | 6 |
Lipstick | 2 | 1 | |
Metal Polish | 2 | 1 | |
Mildue | 1 | 5 | |
Milk | 9 | 2 | 1 |
Mustard | 1 | ||
Nail Polish | 8 | 2 | |
Oil | 2 | 1 | |
Paint - Emulsion | 2 | 10 | 1 |
Paint - Oil Based | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Rust | 2 | 1 | 11 |
Salad Dressing | 2 | 1 | |
Shoe Polish | 2 | 1 | |
Soft Drink | 9 | 1 | 5 |
Tar | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Tea (black or white) | 2 | 10 | 1 |
Urine | 1 | ||
Vomit | 1 | ||
Wine - Red | 12 | 9 | 6 |
Wine - White | 1 |