Stain Removal Tips

1. When anything is spilled on a carpet or upholstery surface, removal results are best when stain is treated immediately, before it dries.
2. Apply cleaning materials directly to stain in the order listed. Blot in an inconspicuous spot and test for 10 seconds before using a solvent or cleaning materials.
3. Do not rub stain, always blot lightly with clean absorbent white cloth or paper towel. Rubbing fabrics (including carpet and upholstery) frays the fibers and makes them "fuzz up". You may remove the stain, but you'll likely leave behind damaged fibers that stand out nearly as much. Such fibers are not only prone to collecting dirt, but they're also likely to wear out more quickly and make a hole.
4. Avoid the urge to wipe, rub, or otherwise press on solid and semi-solid spills; you'll only force them into the surface they're trying to stain, and you'll be left trying to force them back out. With a lifting motion, wield a spoon, a dull knife, a spatula, or even a credit card to carefully scrape the spill off your stuff. Whatever the stain is made of, it'll be so much easier to remove completely if you keep it superficial.
5. It's all too easy, in the excitement of a spill, to accidentally drip spilled liquid from blotting clothes across the carpet or to smear the spaghetti sauce beyond the margins of the original spot. As you scrape, lift, and/or blot, work from the outer edges of a stain inward to the center to avoid making a bigger stain. Do the same when you apply water or cleaning solutions - your goal is to make the stain smaller, then to make it vanish entirely.
6. Keep dry spills dry and wet spills wet. Don't put a drop of liquid on a dry spill (or mark) until you've vacuumed, shaken, brushed, or blown away every particle you possibly can. Then - and only then - should you consider using a liquid treatment to remove any dye transfer otherwise the cleaning solution would only serve to drive the soil deeper into the carpet fibers.
7. Refold or replace the cloth frequently to keep the stain from reapplying to the surface you're treating.
8. Avoid getting carpet or fabric too wet. Rapid drying is essential.
9. When you're through applying stain treatments to carpet or upholstery, be sure to rinse and blot the area with clear water. If you don't follow this stain removal tip, the residue left by the cleaning solution will attract soil to the treated area, and instead of a stain, you'll have a dirty spot.
10. Some stains are very hard to remove and you may need to repeat the process 2 or more times. Some stains are permanent and cannot be removed.
11. Once the carpet is dry, gently brush or vacuum the area to restore its pile and glory.