A Comprehensive Guide to Spot Removal

First:  SPOT or STAIN?

Not all spots are equal in its removable ness from carpets and upholstery. Spot removable ness greatly depends on fabric type, type of soil, penetration of the soil, cleaning methods used, and time. Most spots, however, are usually water soluble or solvent soluble. Stains are considered permanent and require other methods of removal. Treating or cleaning a spot immediately is essential. Drying or heating the spot may further set it to a permanent stain. Nearly all spots will be lightened by rinsing immediately with water at about body temperature. Some spots will become "fixed" by hotter washing. A thorough understanding of soil and fabric characteristics is essential.

Although there is no single cleaning solution capable of removing every kind of spot from every kind of textile, what methods you try and how you use them can either be advantages or more damaging.  We highly recommend that a quality carpet or fabric protector be applied (before you have stains) to reduce the chances of stains and to aid in the cleaning of spots.

Use at your own your own risk!  This guide is for general information purposes only.  When in doubt, consult a professional.

Second:  Below you'll find a comprehensive guide to spot removal and it is geared towards a variety of fabrics including, clothing and other textiles. The majority of the home techniques described here will work on most carpet spots too.  However, we do not encourage the use of any bleaching agents on carpet.  Always test cleaning agents in an inconspicuous area first and watch for colorfastness. 


INSTRUCTIONS

After flushing out as much of the spot as possible, specific treatments for the type of spot are necessary. Five types of spot removal treatments are described here. In sections B and E more specific treatments are described in detail.

To find out how to remove a certain type of spot or stain, look it up in the Spot Removal Guide below. Across from the type of spot or stain may be found one or more letters and numbers. These refer to the spot or stain removal treatments that follow. With these directions and the additional instructions in the Spot Removal Guide, many fabric spots and stains can be treated in the home.

Spot Reference (see instructions above) 

adhesive tape A 
airplane glue E-7 (test fabric for safety) 
argyrol E-9 (rinse thoroughly) 
beer B 
blood E-8 or B?s 
candle wax E-3 and A 
chewing gum E-3 and A 
chocolate E-8 or E-5 and B 
coffee E-8 or E-5 and B 
crayon E-3 and A 
dye B or C 
fingernail polish E-7 (test fabric and colors) 
fruit B or C (rinse thoroughly) 
grass E-6 (rinse thoroughly) 
grease A (may need to be repeated) 
ink (ballpoint) E-4 or A (repeat as necessary) 
ink (fluid) D and B 
iron E-2 (rinse thoroughly) 
lipstick A and C (wash in hot water and soap 
or detergent) 
mildew B-3 (if fabric cannot be bleached, 
stains cannot be removed) 
mud E-1 
mustard E-10 
paint A (turpentine is a good solvent) 
rust E-2 
shoe polish A and E-1 and B 
tar A 
tea B (rinse thoroughly)

urine D or E-8

A. Solvent Treatments (Cleaning Fluids)

Oily or greasy materials can be dissolved in solvents such as naphtha, benzine, alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, or prepared cleaning fluids obtainable in retail markets. All solvents are flammable or give off poisonous fumes. Do not use near open flames or in closed rooms. Ventilate well.

Apply solvents on stain and tamp with a clean dry absorbent cloth. Repeat until stain has been removed.

B. Bleaching

Colored stains that rinsing does not flush away or that will not come off in washing may require a bleaching (oxidizing) action. This method can be used only on white materials or on colors that will withstand bleaching. Colored fabrics may be tested for fastness by applying the bleach solution to a hidden area such as the inside of a seam or under a hem.

1. A mild bleaching solution can be made by dissolving one tablespoon of sodium per borate bleach in a cup of warm water.  

2. Two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide in a cup of water will bleach stronger stains.

3. A teaspoon of household hypo chlorite-type bleach (5 per cent) in a cup of water will bleach some very stubborn stains. Each bottle gives instructions.

In using the bleaching technique, the solution should be applied to the stain and allowed to stand from 15 to 30 minutes. In using any bleach, be sure to rinse thoroughly before drying.

C. Reducing Agents

On white goods only, some stains that have resisted bleaching treatments may be removed by a material called a "stripper." Color removers sold with household dyes can be used on some dye stains by following the directions on the package. Do not use these on colored fabrics unless the intention is to remove all color from the entire fabric.

D. Hot Soaping Treatment

Many stains respond to a hot washing with a strong soap solution. Where white or fast-color fabrics are concerned, residual oil stains, yellow stains, and mud stains may be removed by washing in water heated to 160 F (71 C) with a strong solution of soap or detergent. Adding one tablespoon of a compound for automatic dishwashing to a gallon of the soap solution helps.

E. Special Treatments

The following are a number of special treatments for specific types of stains as listed in the Spot Removal Guide.
1. Wash out stain with warm water, rub on a wet bar of soap, scrub with fingers.

2. Sprinkle salt on stain. Apply lemon juice and allow to stand. Place spot in sun to speed removal or use one teaspoon of oxalic-acid crystals (poison) in a cup of hot water and drop solution on the stain. Rinse thoroughly after 10 minutes.

3. Scrape off excess with dull knife. Apply solvent or cleaning fluid by methods described in section A (Solvent Treatments).

4. Apply liquid detergent (all-purpose, heavy duty), then rinse thoroughly.

5. Soak stain in lukewarm water for an hour. Using three tablespoons of household ammonia to a gallon of water will almost always help soften the stain. Wash thoroughly.

6. Sponge with alcohol. Treat remaining stain with one of the bleaching solutions in section B (Bleaching).

7. Apply acetone or nail-polish remover to the stain as described under section A. However, this cannot be used on cellulose acetate fibers or Arnel. Test by applying polish remover to small clipping. If the clipping softens and feels tacky, do not use this treatment.

8. Apply solution of digester or enzymes (pepsin from drugstore).

9. Apply drop of tincture of iodine (poison). Rinse after one minute. Apply solution of photographer's hypo (sodium thiosulfate), two teaspoons to a cup of hot (140 F; 60 C) water.

10. Soak in warm glycerin for 30 minutes. Work between fingers. Wash in hot suds.

Did you find this spot removal guide helpful?  What would you like to see on this guide?  E-mail us and let us know.