General Tips

• Do not over wet into backing materials
• Always test any detergent on an inconspicuous area of carpet prior to treating a stain
• Use detergents at recommended dilution ratios
• Scrape up or blot up any excess prior to treatment
• Never rub or scrub
• Do not use inappropriate detergents on carpets or upholstery i.e. (washing up liquid, wash powders, household bleach, disinfectants)
• Always work from the out side of the stain inward to avoid spreading
• Always apply the cleaning fluid to the absorbent spotting material not directly onto the carpet or fabric
• Encourage quick drying
• Deal with stains as quickly as possible for increased chances of success
• Keep the fabric or carpet as dry as possible

Dried In Stains

• Detergent Solution: Two litres of tepid water + a quarter of a teaspoon ONLY of carpet shampoo + one eggcup full of (white vinegar)
• Rewet the stained area using the detergent solution applied on a piece of cotton wool
• Blot using kitchen roll or terry towel as above

Water Based Stains

(i.e. Tea, Coffee, Fruit juices, Wine, some Basic Food stains)

• Soak up immediately using absorbent material, or suck up with a wet pick up vacuum
• Rewet the area using tepid water on a small piece of sponge or cotton wool
• Blot with dry absorbent material Terry towel, kitchen roll, (Repeat as necessary…)
• Dry with hair dryer keeping the dryer moving all the time, (this will help to prevent watermarking)

The final procedure for carpets following the wetting and blotting procedures should be as follows: -

Place 5-6 layers of kitchen roll on the affected area and place on top a telephone directory. Allow to dry over 24 hours, this will absorb any stain in the base of the fibre's that are likely to wick up to the surface during the drying process.

Whilst the stain removal guide may be simple and basic, it will assist in the professional's chances of success should you find expert assistance required. If followed it should help prevent some quite common and expensive DIY stain removal damage.

Information courtesy of NCCA

Greasy Stains

(i.e. Chocolate, Butter, Lipstick, some Oily Food stains, some Ink)

• Apply small quantity of Surgical spirit to some cotton wool or Q-tip (cotton bud)
• Using the lightly soaked cotton wool apply to the edges of the stain working inwards to the centre
• Gently press (Blot) either Terry towel, or kitchen roll, and repeat as necessary until the stain no longer transfers. Do not allow penetration into the back of carpeting or foam filling materials! Some fabrics may darken initially during this process
• Using a detergent solution on cotton wool, dampen the area and follow up by blotting with kitchen roll or terry towel
• Dry, using hair dryer, continually moving over the damp area. (This will help to prevent water marking)

Leather

DO NOT USE

• Baby wipes - these are one of the worst thing you can use on a leather as they break down the protective finish covering your leather and will, over time cause peeling and more serious problems.
• Milk or Toothpaste - these are silly ideas that will leave sticky residues on the surface which will help to break down the finish on your leather.
• Magic erasers - these usually remove finish and pigment. These have been well tested by leather specialists who have found that they work like a very fine sandpaper which permanently damages the top finish on the leather.
• Silicones/furniture polish - these should never be used on leather as they will form a coating on the surface of the leather which will not allow any moisture to get to the leather and will eventually break the finish down.

Leather should be cleaned gently and not scrubbed so 'elbow grease' will only damage the finish.

Protecting your leather against ink and other spillages:

Leather does not need ‘conditioning’ with oils and waxes or hide foods; it needs cleaning and protecting on a regular basis with water based products. This will keep the leather rehydrated and supple.

Using a good quality leather protector (one that works) as applied by Scotclean Services, will help protect your leather against oils and dirt. It is oil and dirt that makes pigmented leather crack, causing the leather to deteriorate.

Leather information courtesy of LTT