FIRSTLY, DON'T PANIC!

Emergency Cleaning TipsAccidents do happen and most can be resolved, sometimes without needing to call us.  The advice below (put together with the National Carpet Cleaners Association) is here to help, no matter what the circumstances.

If something gets spilled on to your carpet, prompt action is required to prevent permanent staining.

Be Prepared

As well as the Professional Spotting Products you can purchase from us there are some common things you can have ready to hand in case of spills and stains:

  • Clean white absorbent cloth or towel
  • Dry Cleaning Solution - Surgical Spirit (usually available from local Chemists)
  • Detergent Solution - One teaspoonful of gentle detergent for washing woollens, to half a pint (0.3 litres) of warm water
  • Detergent Vinegar Solution - Add one teaspoonful of white (not malt) vinegar to the Detergent Solution
  • Ammonia Solution - One teaspoonful of branded household Ammonia (available from hardware stores) to one cup of warm water

General Tips

  • Do not over wet the carpet or upholstery into the backing materials
  • Always test each product on an inconspicuous area of carpet or fabric prior to treating a stain
  • Use products at the recommended dilution ratios
  • Scrape up or blot up any excess prior to treatment
  • Blot, never scrub or rub the area
  • Do not use inappropriate detergents on carpets or upholstery i.e. (washing up liquid, wash powders, household bleach or disinfectants)
  • Always work from the outside of the stain inward to avoid spreading
  • Always apply solvents to the absorbent towel, not directly onto the carpet or fabric
  • Encourage quick drying (carefully use a hairdryer on mild heat)
  • Keep the fabric or carpet as dry as possible.

Alcohol, Tea, Coffee, Liquid Foods or Urine

  • Blot up surplus spillage
  • If you have our Professional Strength Spot Remover use as per instructions on the can.
  • If not use Detergent Vinegar Solution, a little at a time
  • Work from the outer edge of the stain inwards
  • Frequently blot with dry cloths
  • See below for final rinse procedure

Chocolate, Sweets, Blood, Glue, Egg, Ice Cream, Milk, Soft Drinks, Vomit

  • Scrape up excess with a blunt knife
  • If you have our Professional Strength Spot Remover use as per instructions on the can.
  • If not, use a Detergent Solution starting at the outer edge
  • Blot dry
  • Follow up with Ammonia Solution
  • Blot dry
  • See below for final rinse procedure

First Aid for the spills on your CarpetSolids, Fats, Tar, Chewing Gum, Oil, Ointment, Shoe Polish

  • Scrape up excess with a blunt knife
  • If you have one use our Grease and Oil Remover Aerosol can as per instructions
  • If not, use a Dry Cleaning Solution followed by Detergent Vinegar Solution
  • Blot dry
  • See below for final rinse procedure

Unknown Stains

  • Scrape up or blot surplus spillage
  • If you have one use our Professional Strength Spot Remover as per instruction on the can
  • If this isn't successful use our Grease and Oil Remover aerosol as per instructions
  • If you don;t have the above products use a Dry Cleaning Solution followed by clean luke warm water
  • Blot dry
  • If further treatment is needed, use either Detergent or Detergent Vinegar Solution
  • Blot dry
  • See below for final rinse procedure

Final Rinse Procedure

This is not necessary if you've used our retail products, ie the Professional Spot Remover or Grease and Oil Remover aerosol as per the instructions.  If you have used the DIY remedies then please follow these carefully

  • Mix one-part white vinegar and four-parts water
  • Pour mixture into a spray bottle and spray over the stained area
  • Blot dampened area (do not rub) to remove excess moisture
  • Spread white kitchen towel (stacked 6-8 sheets deep) or absorbent cloth over the affected area and place a weight, such as a telephone directory, on top
  • Leave overnight and repeat if necessary

Whilst the stain removal guide may be basic, it should help prevent some quite common and expensive DIY stain removal damage. Unfortunately, there can never be a guarantee of complete removal of a stain, but the correct routine will give us the best possible chance of success if you call us in.
REMEMBER: Act Quickly. Scrape up solids, blot up liquids. Take plenty of time, it is worth the effort. Mix the solution accurately and test it on an out of the way piece of carpet. Always work from the outer edge of the stain to the centre. Dab or blot rather than scrub or rub. And, most importantly, NEVER OVER-WET.
NOTE: We are aware that some new carpets have been subjected to anti-static and soil-resistant treatments. Even when these have been applied, it is wise to follow the stain removal procedures suggested.

Why cheap cleaning companies may not always be what they appear to be.  This is asales technique known as 'bait & switch'.  Ie, they give you a low price to get ino your home, then it starts!  Take a look at hat the BBC said about companies like this...
 
BBC - Watchdog: A rogue who needs to clean up his act....

QUESTION: How do I get Lily Pollen out of my carpet?

Answer

If you’ve been unlucky enough to get lily pollen on your carpet be very careful not to press it into the carpet fibres.  Also, don’t let the pollen get wet!

Grab a roll of sticky tape and gently place it over the pollen.  The pollen will stick to the tape.  Using a new piece of tape every time, continue with this until all the pollen is removed.

You can prevent it happening again by snipping out the stamens of the lily before it comes into full bloom.  Catch them on a plate or similar and dispose of them, better safe than sorry.

If the above procedure hasn't completely removed the pollen we may be able to help.  We have a specialist product for Lily pollen, but it's not 100% guaranteed to work.  If you've not got all the pollen all out we'd recommend you contact your contents insurer and see if you have Accidental Damage cover.  If you do they may pay for us to come and attempt the specialist removal.  If we can't remove it we'll supply a letter to your insurer confirming that for you.

Sue from Bessacarr contacted us, so can we?

Answer

That depends on a number of factors.  Things such as carpet construction, how much soot there is and has it penetrated into the carpet backing all play a part.

The No. 1 rule is DO NOT WET, OR BRUSH the soot
until you've followed these steps...

  1. Use the nozzel on your vacuum cleaner to remove the thickest of the soot.  If you can avoid touching the soot, or the carpet, just use the vacuum hovered above it.
  2. Apply Baking Soda powder to the area to completely cover the affect area. Gently brush this into the carpet, don't scrub, and leave for 30-40 minutes.  This will absorb the soot.
  3. Vacuum the carpet again, using just the nozzel as before.  This should remove the thickest of the soot.
  4. Apply Baking Soda for a second time, brush it in and leave again for 30-40 minutes.
  5. Thoroughly vacuum the carpet, preferably with an upright vacuum with brushes.
  6. If the mark still remains try using a dry cleaning solvent by applying the solvent to a towel and blotting the carpet.  Change the towel frequently and NEVER apply the solvent directly to the carpet.
  7. Once the worst of the stain is out you can use "Soda Water" by gently pouring onto the area and blotting out with a thick towel.  It's best to fold the towel quite thick, place it over the stain and then stand on the towel.  The pressure will cause the fizzyness to release the stain.  Alternatively use something like our World Famous Spot Remover PF, which uses the same fizzing action to clean, with added ingredients to help.  You can even get a 5oz Sample can for Free.

If in any doubt you can call us for free advice, no obligation.

QUESTION: How do I get red wine out of my sofa?

Answer

If you spill red wine onto a fabric sofa or armchair, prevent (or at least limit) any staining by following this advice.

As with all spills, act as quickly as possible to stop it spreading further and soaking into the sofa’s upholstery.  Grab some kitchen roll, or a clean old towel (it needs to be absorbent) and soak up the spilled wine by blotting.  Keep doing this, as firmly as you can, until no more wine comes out of the fabric onto the cloth.  Never, never be tempted to rub or scrub at the fabric.
Then, following the instructions on the can, use our Clean and Dry Stain Extinguisher, or Clean and Dry Spot Remover for the next stage.  Continue to dab (remember – never rub) at the fabric with a clean cloth moistened, with the Clean and Dry solution,  until no more red wine residue comes out onto the cloth. During this process, take care not to over-wet the fabric.
If you don’t happen to have a can of either our Clean and Dry Stain Extinguisher or Clean and Dry Spot Remover handy, try the above with plain or fizzy water only.

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