Vacuuming
Caring for your carpet - Dealing with spills and stains
Detergent Solution
A teaspoon of neutral detergent, such as Stergene, to half pint (quarter litre) of warm water.
Detergent/vinegar solution
Add one teaspoon of white vinegar to the above detergent solution.
Ammonia Solution
One tablespoon of household ammonia to one cup of warm water. WARNING: Always test a small out of the way area of your carpet for colourfastness prior to tackling the stain.
Dry Cleaning Solvent
A proprietary brand of dry cleaning solvent should be used. You will also need a blunt knife and some white tissues or absorbent cloth to blot up the stain as it is released. The modern alternative is K2R, a dry spray, which is best left overnight to work on any stain before vacuuming off.
This simple guide could save your carpet in the event of an accident or spillage, however it is always advisable to seek professional advice should a stain prove difficult to remove.
Cleaning Solution
Surface dirt is unavoidable and sometimes unsightly, but dirt that is trampled down between the tufts has an abrasive cutting action that can eventually wear away the fibres. The best way to delay or prevent this destructive wearing action is to give your carpets a regular vacuuming.
There is a common myth that you should let a new carpet settle in for a week or so. In fact, entirely the reverse is true. Virtually all new carpets will shed a small amount of loose fibres and these should be removed by vacuuming as soon as possible. Otherwise the fibres will be walked back into the carpet and can cause a matted appearance.
Loop pile carpets, particularly Wool Berbers, should not be cleaned with a vacuum which has a beater attachment - this can cause excessive fluffing and matting - this type of carpet should be vacuumed with the suction head only.
Entrance mats and barrier mats will reduce the amount of dirt carried on to your carpets from outside the home, but please remember that these mats must also be cleaned regularly.
Blood, chocolate, egg, ice-cream, glue, grass, gravy, fruit
Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with ammonia solution. Blot dry. Do not rub.
Milk, soft drinks
Blot up the surplus spillage. Use detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with ammonia solution. Blot dry. Do not rub
Fats, shoe polish, lipstick, oil, solids, nail polish, tar, vomit, wax, grease, chewing gum
Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry cleaning solvent, followed by detergent/vinegar solution. Blot dry. Do not rub.
Coffee, tea, alcohol/wines, perfume, urine, liquid foods
Blot up the surplus spillage. Use detergent/vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain, using a little at a time and blotting up with dry cloths frequently. Do not rub.
Carpeting your home with care
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