Beware of color destroying substances. The chemical ingredients contained in the following substances can cause your carpet to become permanently discolored:

• Acne medications and skin creams

• Bleach

• Toilet bowl cleaner

• Tub & tile cleaner

• Drain cleaner

• Oven cleaner

• Urine and vomit (if not properly neutralized and removed)

• Plant foods and fertilizers

• Insecticides

• Furniture polish

• Bathroom cleaners

Use Entrance Mats: Place mats inside and outside entrances to trap soil before it gets tracked into your home. Soil is the greatest threat to your carpet's appearance.

Vacuum regularly: The most important thing you can do for your carpet is to vacuum it regularly. Removing dirt particles will reduce abrasion that can dull carpet fibers. Be sure to adjust your vacuum as necessary to the height of the carpet pile. If not properly adjusted, excessive brush agitation may cause damage to loop pile berber carpet.

Clean periodically: Periodic cleaning will help prolong the life of your carpet, along with freshening up the look and feel of your carpet.

Blot up spills immediately: No carpet is stain proof, however prompt attention to spots and spills using the easy procedures outlined here will help relieve your carpet from stains.

Stain Removal: Locate your stain on one of the charts below and follow the appropriate cleaning steps until the stain is removed.

Water-based stains: For these stains, start with step 1. If stain remains, proceed with steps 2 and 3.
 

Special water-based stains: Coffee, Tea and Urine. For these stains, proceed with step 1, omit step 2 and proceed to step 3.

Greasy, oil-based stains: For these stains, use a dry cleaning fluid such as Carbona® or Energine®. Follow directions on package. If stain remains, proceed with 1-2-3 cleaning method.
 

*Freeze and remove solid materials before using dry cleaning fluid.

Step 1

Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials. For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading. Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel. Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently. Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers with the cloth. Avoid over-saturating the carpet. Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub, or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers. If necessary, use warm water to rinse. Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel and apply pressure to blot. If the stain is gone, place towels over the spot and weight towels down with a heavy, colorfast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket. Change paper towels until carpet dries. If the stain remains proceed to step 2. (For coffee, tea or urine, skip step 2 and proceed with step 3).

Step 2

Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water. Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in step 1. Do not dry with paper towels. DO NOT use on coffee, tea or urine.
IMPORTANT: Proceed to step 3 to neutralize the ammonia solution.

Step 3

Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water. Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in step 1. If this process does not remove the stain, contact a professional carpet cleaner.

It is not unusual for stains to reappear after spot cleaning. This is referred to as "wicking." Wicking can occur when a liquid is spilled on a carpet (usually a large quantity). Cleaning can only remove the stain from the carpet fibers. Liquid still remains in the carpet backing or padding. Over time, through capillary action, the stain can "wick" back up into the carpet fibers. These stains are not permanent and typically can be removed by simply repeating the appropriate directions above.