Expert cleaning

Spot Removal Chart

Cause of Spot Order of Treatment Other Treatments
Alcoholic beverages 1 2 ---
Bleach 1 3 ---
Blood 1 2 ---
Butter 4 2 ---
Candle wax --- --- --- Absorbent paper and hot iron
Chewing gum 5 4 ---
Chocolate 2 3 6
Coffee 1 2 4
Colas and soft drinks 7 2 ---
Cooking oils 4 2 ---
Cream 2 4 ---
Egg 2 --- ---
Felt tip pen 7 2 8
Floor wax 4 --- ---
Fruit juice 1 2 ---
Furniture polish 4 2 3
Gravy and sauces 7 2 ---
Ink (fountain pen) 1 2 ---
Ink (ball point) 4 9 2
Ketchup 7 2 ---
Lipstick 4 2 ---
Mercurochrome 2 3 6 Repeat Step 2
Milk 7 4 2
Mustard 2 --- ---
Nail polish 8 4 ---
Oil and grease 4 2 ---
Paint (latex) 2 3 4
Paint (oil) 9 4 2
Rust 4 2 10
Salad dressing 2 4 ---
Shoe polish 4 2 ---
Soot 4 2 3
Tar 4 --- ---
Tea 1 2 4
Urine (fresh) 1 2 ---
Urine (old) 2 3 6
Vomit 2 --- ---
Wine 11 1 2
Unknown material 4 12 2

Type of Treatment*

  1. Cold Water
  2. Detergent solution
  3. Ammonia solution
  4. Solvent
  5. Chill with aerosol freezing agent or ice cubes in plastic bag. Pick or scrape some off.
  6. Vinegar solution
  7. Warm water
  8. Clear nail polish remover (preferably acetone)
  9. Alcohol or methylated spirits mineral turpentine
  10. Rust Remover
  11. Absorbent powder (e.g. salt, talc or proprietary absorbent powders.)
  12. Absorbent cleaner (Host® or Capture®)*

* References to proprietary products or specific companies is for informational purposes only. Be sure to read labels and follow directions carefully. The Rug Warehouse neither endorses nor guarantees these products. Use of above products are the sole responsibility of product's owner.