Carpet Cleaners, Specialty Products, and Washing Agents
Here, you can find easy methods to clean your carpeting or rugs, as well as tips on choosing the correct specialty products and washing agents.Shampoos and Stain Removers for Carpets
Foam carpet shampoo products are available from a number of manufacturers. To use a foam carpet shampoo, simply spray it on, rub or sponge it in if instructions require it, then vacuum when dry. Follow the manufacturer's directions and always pretest in an inconspicuous corner to be certain the fiber is colorfast. You may have to shampoo the entire carpet if removing the spot leaves a brighter patch.
To remove small spots, apply a carpet stain-removing product such as Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover (WD-40 Company), Stain-X Carpet Stain Remover (AMI - Stain-X) or Up & Out (Carrol Company). Up & Out is not for use on wool carpets.
Specialty Products
For almost everything that can get stained, there is a product made specifically for that job. In most cases, a substitute will work as well, but a few products listed below are exceptional for removing specific stains.
Leather and Vinyl Conditioners. Tannery Vintage Leather Cleaner & Conditioner (CRC Industries, Inc.) can remove many stains from leather and vinyl, while conditioning the surface at the same time. It is easy to use and in many cases restores the luster and suppleness on poorly maintained leathers. Be sure to read the label carefully. Fiebing's Saddle Soap (Fiebing Company, Inc.) is another good leather and vinyl cleaner/conditioner.
Mildew Removers. X-14 Instant Mildew Stain Remover (WD-40 Company) is a very good mildew remover for most surfaces. It is not recommended for fabrics. It kills the mildew spores on contact and prevents restaining. Be sure to read the label carefully.
Rust Removers. Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser & Polish (SerVaas Laboratories, Inc.) is an abrasive that works very well on rust stains. It is safe for most fabrics, though be sure to read the label. It will also remove tarnish, coffee and tea stains, fruit and vegetable stains, and smoke. Pumie Scouring Stick (U.S. Pumice Company) and Whink Rust Stain Remover (Whink Products Company) also are effective.
Suede Cleaners. A suede stone is a product for rubbing marks from suede. Usually, rubbing is all that is needed to remove grime, dirt, and oil stains; however, it can be dampened for tougher stains. It will also remove some types of marks from wallpaper, much like an eraser. Be sure to read label directions and restrictions carefully.
Tile and Grout Cleaners. For removing stains from grout without chipping, use a commercial tile & grout cleaner, baking soda, or powdered cleanser. For mildew stains, apply X-14 Instant Mildew Stain Remover to the grout and ceramic tile to kill all mildew.
Washing Agents
Detergents. When stain-removal directions call for mild detergent, choose a white dishwashing liquid detergent; the dyes in nonwhite detergents may worsen your stain. If instructions call for a pretreating paste made of detergent and water, use a powdered detergent that does not contain bleach. If the stain-removal directions specify that you should apply a liquid laundry detergent directly to the spot or stain, be sure to read label directions carefully. Some products cannot safely be used in this manner. Other detergent products (those used in automatic dishwashers or for heavy household cleaning, and certain laundry products) may contain alkalies that could set stains such as ammonia, soap, and oven cleaner.
Enzyme Presoaks. Most effective on protein stains (meat juices, eggs, blood, and the like), enzyme presoaks may harm silk and wool. Make sure you've exhausted every alternative before you use enzyme presoaks on these two fabrics. Use as soon as possible after mixing in solution; enzyme presoak solutions become inactive in storage. Don't mix them with bleach, as this will inactivate the enzymes. Some detergents also contain enzymes and can be used as a presoak; check the label for ingredients and usage instructions.
Wet Spotters |
Pretreaters. Pretreaters are used on spots and stains that might not respond to normal laundering procedures. They start the cleaning process before the stained item is put in the washer. Pretreaters must be used in conjunction with the rest of the laundering process; do not try to use them alone as though they were spot removers. After applying a pretreater, do not allow the fabric to dry before washing. Follow label directions. Some good brands are Shout Liquid Laundry Stain Remover (S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.) and Spray 'n Wash (Reckitt Benckiser, Inc.).
Soaps. Do not use bath soaps with added moisturizers, fragrance, dyes, or deodorant to treat spots and stains. Purchase either laundry soap or pure white soap.
Stain and spot removal should be done using the correct stain removers and techniques. This will help you ensure that stains around your home, office, and garage are removed safely and successfully.
