Spotting Tips

* Please Note: Some stains and spots require advance spotting techniques.

For the following, blot up as much as you can and then call a professional. DO NOT attempt to clean or scrub because you could set the stain into the fibers:

Food Coloring
Furniture Stains
Ink
Lipstick
Copy Machine Toner

Mustard
Nail Polish
Paint
Urine

Blood - 1) Apply cool detergent solution, blot. 2) Apply cool ammonia solution, blot. 3) Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 4) Rinse thoroughly with water, blot with water, blot until dry. 5) If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution 6) Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide may be necessary.

Butter & Margarine - 1) Apply dry cleaning solvent, blot. 2) Apply detergent solution, blot until dry. 3) Apply vinegar solution, blot. 4) Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Ketchup & Tomato Sauce - 1) apply cool detergent solution, blot. 2) Apply ammonia solution, blot. 3) Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 4) If stain remains, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate 5) Rinse thoroughly with water, blot dry.

Chocolate - 1) Scrape away as much as possible with spatula or dull knife. 2) Apply cool detergent solution, blot. 3) Apply ammonia solution, blot. 4) Apply vinegar solution, blot. 5) Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 6) Rinse thoroughly with water, blot with water, blot until dry.

Coffee - 1) Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently. 2) Apply vinegar solution, blot. 3) Cover with dry towels until dry.

Crayon - 1) Apply dry cleaning solvent. 2) Apply POG, blot. 3) Apply dry cleaning solvent. 4)Apply detergent solution, blot. 5) Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Grass - 1)Apply amyl acetate if available to remove chlorophyl, blot. 2) Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 3) Rinse with water, blot. 4) Apply ammonia solution, blot. 5) apply vinegar solution, blot. 6) Rinse with water, blot until dry. Bleaching or professional stripping may be necessary.

Mildew - 1) Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 2) Apply amonia solution, blot. 3) Rinse thoroughly with water, blot. 4) Apply solution of oxidizing bleach (chlorine or perborate) Do not use chlorine bleach on wool or silk. 5) Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

Mud - 1) Brush away as much excess mus as possible. 2) Apply detergent solution, blot.. 3) Apply amonia solution, blot. 4) Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry 5) If stain remains, apply POG and dry-cleaning solvent alternately, blot until dry.

Vomit - 1) blot as much as possible. 2) Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 3) Apply amonia solution, blot 4) Apply vinegar solution, blot 5) Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Wine - 1) Apply detergent solution, blot. 2) Apply vinegar solution, blot. 3) Apply ammonia solution, blot. 4) If necessary, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate. 5) Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry. (If all else fails, switch to Chardonnay)!!

Ammonia Solution - Mix one tablespoon of clean household amonia with one-half cup of water.

Bleach - Use hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate (present in Snowy or Clorox II). DO NOT use chlorine bleach!

Detergent Solution - Mix one teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent or dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water.

Dry-Cleaning Solvent - Volatile dry spotter or a commercial spotter such as Thoro, Carbona, Energize, K2R. Use in small amounts...can be harmful in sizing, backings or stuffing material. DO NOT use gasoline, lighter fluid or carbon tetrachloride.

POG - Paint, oil and grease remover; available in hardware stores. Use extremely small amounts with extreme caution!