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25 g soap | 500 mL boiling water | 1 tablespoon ammonia
| 5g washing soda
Pour boiling water over grated soap and set aside till it
has dissolved. Add ammonia and soda and store in screw-top
jar. Lather with hot water, and apply to carpet with cloth
or brush.
To shampoo
Remove furniture from room wherever possible. Wrap legs of
remaining furniture in foil or plastic to avoid stains. Test
shampoo on an inconspicuous spot and blot with white cloth.
If any colour comes off on the cloth, leave the job for professionals.
Different carpet requirements
Acrylic
Do not use acetone, turpentine, methylated or white spirits.
Antique rugs
Have professionally cleaned.
Indian cotton rugs
Have professionally cleaned.
Felt carpets
Have professionally cleaned.
Fur rugs
Have professionally cleaned.
Oriental rugs
Have professionally cleaned.
Rubber- or latex-backed carpets
Do not use drycleaning fluids.
Shaggy rugs
Have professionally cleaned.
Sisal or rush matting
Act quickly. Matting must not become sodden with water. Do
not use ammonia, detergents, soap, strong alkalies, or washing
soda. Treat grease with spray-on drycleaning fluid. Use carpet
shampoo for other stains.
Skin rugs
Have professionally cleaned.
Wool
Do not use ammonia.
Carpet stains
- Act quickly to avoid harsh remedies later.
- Blot up liquids.
- Wipe off deposits.
- Flush with cold water or soda water then blot up, or sprinkle
salt on stain.
• Check carpet fibre and manufacturer's instructions whenever
possible.
- To test fibre, burn a small sample of fluff - wool will
char, synthetic will melt.
- Test all cleaning agents on inconspicuous patch.
- Blot dry before and after using drycleaning agent.
- If uncertain, or if stain persists, consult a professional.
To dryclean carpet stains
(Follow these directions whenever drycleaning fluid is called
for or when a stain must be dabbed with cleaning solution.)
Check that drycleaning is appropriate for fibre. Test on
inconspicuous spot.
Remove surface deposit.
Dab stain with clean pad soaked in drycleaning solvent. Do
not rub.
Use repeated weak applications of solvent rather than one
strong one.
Blot dry after each application.
Work from the outside to the inside of the stain to avoid
rings.
Change pads regularly.
Seek professional help if stain persists.
To sponge and shampoo carpets-stains
(Follow these directions when sponging or shampooing is called
for.)
Check that carpet shampoo is appropriate for fibre.
Test on inconspicuous spot.
Foam carpet shampoo in warm water.
Sponge stain lightly with foam only.
Blot often.
Do not over-wet.
Do not use soap, soap powder or soda.
If possible, dry carpet outside or lift it away from the
floor.
Carpet cleaner
1 teaspoon neutral detergent | 1 teaspoon white vinegar |
1 L warm water
This solution is useful for cleaning most carpets and rugs.
Use sponging technique.
Acids
1 teaspoon ammonia or bicarbonate o f soda 1 cup water
Sponge with cold water then ammonia or bicarbonate of soda.
Rinse and blot dry.
Alcohol
soda water or warm water glycerine methylated spirits
carpet shampoo
Blot. Sponge with water. Shampoo. If stain persists, rub
with glycerine solution. Dab old stains with methylated spirits.
For beer, it may not be necessary to shampoo.
Battery acid
borax
Protect skin and eyes. Blot up quickly. Sponge with weak
borax solution.
Beetroot
carpet cleaner (see above)
Remove deposit. Blot. Sponge with solution.
Bleach
carpet cleaner (see above)
Sponge with solution.
Blood
cold water carpet shampoo or dye stripper
Flush immediately with cold water and blot. Shampoo or dab
with dye stripper.
Burn marks
steel wool
Tease burnt pile in a circular motion with steel wool to
disguise the burn.
scissors carpet shampoo \ 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Trim burnt fibres with scissors then sponge with carpet shampoo
and vinegar. Rinse and blot dry.
cement glue | carpet fuzz
To repair a deep spot-burn, shave some fuzz off an inconspicuous
piece of carpet and roll to fit the burn. Apply glue to carpet
backing and press fuzz into the burn. Cover with tissue or
paper and weigh down with a book or heavy object.
fine sandpaper \ 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 10 parts
cold water
Rub gently with sandpaper. Treat plain light-coloured carpets
only by dabbing gently with peroxide solution.
Butter
drycleaning fluid or lighter fluid or turpentine carpet
cleaner (see above)
Dab with fluid or turpentine. Sponge with carpet cleaner.
See Grease for alternative methods.
Candle wax
warm iron blotting paper methylated spirits
Place blotting paper over stain; press with warm iron. Change
blotting paper and repeat until wax is absorbed. Treat traces
of colour by dabbing with a pad soaked in methylated spirits.
ice cubes | turpentine | drycleaning fluid (optional)
Freeze wax with ice cube. Remove deposit with blunt knife.
Dab with pad soaked in turpentine. If necessary, mix with
equal part drycleaning fluid.
Chewing gum
eucalyptus oil
Remove as much gum as possible with a knife. Dab on the oil
and leave to soften, then scrape with a knife. Repeat until
gum has gone. If oil leaves a mark, sponge with warm soapy
water, rinse, and dry with a towel or hairdryer.
ice cubes | methylated or white spirits or commercial chewing-gum
remover
Freeze gum with ice. Remove deposit with blunt knife. Dab
with pad soaked in spirit or use commercial preparation and
follow directions.
Chocolate or cocoa
carpet shampoo drycleaning fluid (optional) borax solution
glycerine solution (optional)
Remove deposit. Shampoo and blot dry. If stain persists,
treat with dry-cleaning fluid. For dried stains sponge with
borax solution. If stain persists, rub with glycerine solution.
carpet cleaner (see above) drycleaning fluid or lighter
fluid or turpentine
Sponge with carpet cleaner. Dab with fluid or turpentine.
Coffee
soda water
Flushing with soda water may be adequate for black coffee.
water or soda water carpet shampoo drycleaning fluid (optional)
Sponge with water. Shampoo. When dry, remove traces with
drycleaning fluid.
carpet cleaner (see above) drycleaning fluid or lighter
fluid or turpentine
Dab with fluid or turpentine. Sponge with cold water then
carpet cleaner.
Crayon
drycleaning fluid or lighter fluid or turpentine carpet
cleaner (see above - optional)
See above for method. Sponge with carpet cleaner if necessary.
Cream
drycleaning fluid or lighter fuel or turpentine carpet
cleaner (see above - optional)
Remove deposit. See above for method. Sponge with carpet
cleaner if necessary.
Curry
borax or glycerine solution
Remove deposit. Rub with either solution. Rinse and blot.
Dry stains
glycerine 1 tablespoon borax 11 / z cups warm water
Rub a little glycerine into the stain and leave overnight,
then sponge with the borax solution.
Dye
methylated spirits 2 or 3 drops ammonia
Dab stain with pad soaked in methylated spirits and ammonia.
Test first.
Egg
drycleaning fluid or carpet shampoo carpet cleaner (see
above - optional)
Remove deposit. See above for method. Do not use heat. Sponge
with carpet cleaner if necessary.
Excrement
As for vomit.
Fruit or fruit juice
warm water carpet cleaner (see above)
Remove deposit. Sponge with warm water then carpet cleaner.
carpet shampoo methylated spirits (optional)
Remove deposit. Shampoo. If stain persists, dab with a pad
soaked in methylated spirits.
1 tablespoon borax 1 1/2 cups warm water
Remove deposit. Wring out a clean cloth in the mixture and
wipe the stain.
Furniture polish
drycleaning fluid or lighter fluid or turpentine carpet
cleaner (see above)
Dab with fluid or turpentine then sponge with carpet cleaner.
Glues and adhesives
If possible consult manufacturer for advice on special solvents.
If stain is impossible to remove, trim carpet with scissors.
Adhesive tape - use drycleaning fluid.
Clear or contact adhesives such as Bostik - use acetone.
Epoxy resin such as Araldite - use acetone or, on
synthetics, lighter fluid.
Latex adhesives - use drycleaning fluid.
Model glue - use drycleaning fluid.
Grass or flowers
methylated spirit carpet shampoo
Dab stain repeatedly with pad soaked in methvlated spirit
then shampoo.
Gravy
drycleaning fluid carpet shampoo
Remove deposit. See above for method. Shampoo.
Grease
talcum powder brown paper hot iron
Do not use a hot iron on synthetic carpet - test a small
area first. Sprinkle grease with powder, then cover with paper
and place a hot iron on the paper (do not press). Repeat with
fresh paper as grease is absorbed. Treat remaining stain with
ammonia and water.
ammonia water
Remove deposit. Sponge carpet with solution till grease is
removed. Colours will be brighter too.
blotting paper warm iron
Remove deposit. See candle wax for method.
drycleaning fluid or lighter fuel or turpentine
Remove deposit. See above for method. Work from edge of stain
towards centre to avoid ring.
Honey
As for gravy.
Icecream
As for gravy, but shampoo first and only use drycleaning
fluid if necessary.
Ink, ballpoint
methylated spirits or milk white vinegar carpet cleaner
(see above)
Dab stain lightly with pad soaked in methylated spirits with
or without white vinegar or milk and white vinegar. Sponge
with carpet cleaner.
Ink, other
white vinegar carpet shampoo
Flush with water. Sponge with equal parts vinegar and water.
Blot. Shampoo. Consult manufacturer or professionals if stain
persists.
Jam, chutney, marmalade
carpet shampoo methylated spirits (optional)
Remove deposit. Shampoo. If stain persists, dab with methylated
spirits.
Lipstick
eucalyptus oil carpet shampoo
Sponge with eucalyptus oil as often as necessary, then shampoo.
Metal polish
white spirit | carpet shampoo
Remove deposit and dab with pad soaked in white spirit. Shampoo.
drycleaning fluid or lighter fluid or turpentine carpet
cleaner (see above)
Dab with fluid or turpentine. Sponge with carpet cleaner.
Mildew
carpet cleaner (see above) 1 part hydrogen peroxide 10 parts
water Sponge with carpet cleaner. For plain light carpets
dab with peroxide solution.
Milk
warm water or soda water carpet shampoo drycleaning fluid
(optional)
Flush with water. Blot. Shampoo. Use drycleaning fluid if
necessary.
warm water drycleaning fluid or lighter fluid or turpentine
carpet cleaner (see above)
Sponge with warm water, dab with fluid or turpentine, then
sponge with carpet cleaner.
Mud
carpet shampoo | methylated spirits
Allow to dry, then vacuum. Shampoo, then dab any remaining
colour with pad soaked in methylated spirits.
Nail-polish
non-oily nail-polish remover carpet shampoo or drycleaning
fluid or lighter fluid or turpentine
Remove deposit then dab with pad soaked in polish remover.
Test first. Shampoo or dab with fluid or turpentine.
Paint
drycleaning fluid carpet shampoo
Remove deposit. See above for method. Shampoo.
Paint, oil-based
turpentine drycleaning fluid (optional) carpet cleaner
(see above)
Dab with turpentine. If necessary mix with equal parts drycleaning
fluid. Sponge with carpet cleaner.
Paint, water-based
water carpet shampoo
Act quickly. Remove deposit then sponge with plenty of water.
Shampoo. Rinse and pat dry.
Plasticine
drycleaning fluid or lighter fluid carpet shampoo
Test first. Dab with pad soaked in fluid. Shampoo.
Play dough
cloudy ammonia
Remove as much deposit as possible then sponge with ammonia
on a damp cloth.
Rust
drycleaning fluid or lighter fluid or turpentine carpet
cleaner (see above) | lemon juice or white vinegar
Dab with fluid or turpentine then sponge with carpet cleaner.
Finally, sponge with a weak solution of vinegar or lemon juice.
rust remover carpet shampoo
Follow directions for commercial rust remover. Shampoo.
Salt
Vacuum thoroughly.
Sauce, bottled
carpet shampoo drycleaning fluid (optional) glycerine
(optional)
Remove deposit. Shampoo. If stain persists, use drycleaning
fluid; see above for method. For dried stains, rub with glycerine
solution.
Shoe polish
drycleaning fluid or lighter fluid or turpentine carpet
cleaner (see above)
Remove deposit. Dab with fluid or turpentine. Sponge with
carpet cleaner.
spray-on drycleaning fluid or white spirit methylated
spirits
Remove deposit. Dab with pad soaked in fluid. If stain persists,
dab with pad soaked in methylated spirits.
Soft drink
warm water carpet cleaner (see above) 1 part hydrogen
peroxide 10 parts water
Sponge with warm water then carpet cleaner. For plain light
carpets, finish by dabbing with peroxide solution.
See also Fruit.
Soot
salt
Apply plenty, leave for 1 hour, vacuum, then repeat if necessary.
spray-on drycleaning fluid carpet shampoo
See above for method. Shampoo.
salt carpet shampoo
Cover with salt and let stand. Vacuum thoroughly then shampoo.
Tar
glycerine solution drycleaning fluid eucalyptus oil carpet
shampoo Remove deposit. Rub with glycerine solution, then
rinse and blot. Use drycleaning fluid. See above for method.
If stain persists, dab with a pad soaked in eucalyptus oil.
Shampoo.
Tea
borax
Mop up excess, then sprinkle with powdered borax and allow
to dry.Vacuum. Or treat as for coffee, but sponge dried stains
with borax solution.
Urine
soda water white vinegar solution carpet shampoo antiseptic
Flush with soda water. Sponge and blot repeatedly with vinegar
solution. Shampoo with antiseptic added to fluid.
carpet cleaner (see above)
Sponge with carpet cleaner.
Vaseline
kerosene
Dab stain with a clean cloth dipped in kerosene.
Vomit
1 tablespoon borax 600 mL water or soda water carpet shampoo
antiseptic
Remove deposit. Flush with soda water or sponge with borax
solution. Blot. Shampoo with antiseptic added to fluid.
carpet cleaner (see above)
Remove deposit then sponge with carpet cleaner.
eucalyptus oil
To remove any lingering odour, dab with a little eucalyptus
oil on a cloth.
Wine, red
salt or soda water or white wine carpet shampoo methylated
spirits (optional)
Act quickly: flush with soda water or white wine, or sprinkle
salt on the carpet to absorb the stain. Salt may be sufficient
for a synthetic carpet - simply vacuum up salt when it dries.
For natural fibres it may be necessary to shampoo. For dried
stains, sponge with methylated spirits.
absorbent powder carpet shampoo
Act quickly. Sprinkle with powder and leave for 12 hours.
If stain persists, shampoo.
borax
Dampen the stain and apply borax. Allow to dry then vacuum.
Wine, white
carpet cleaner (see above)
Sponge with solution. Blot.
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