Stain Guide

Here Are A Few Pointers For Stain Removal...

First, these are safe, common sense examples of things you can try yourself. C & H Carpet and Furniture Cleaning assumes no responsibility for anything that you do to your own carpet. Here are some proven and useful stain removal tips for a cleaner and beautiful carpet. Give me a call for additional information.

If an accident occurs, don't freak out. I can get almost anything out, as long as you haven't used the wrong products on it. I understand that you do not want to pay me to remove things that you can do yourself. That is why I have created this guide. It is very frustrating for me to see my valued customers ruin their carpets by using the wrong products on them. You can get many things out yourself, but some stains require special knowledge, products, and equipment. The secret is knowing the difference. For example: if you try to remove Hawaiian Punch with Resolve, you may set the stain so that even I cannot remove it.


  • Keep in mind that advice is free! Please feel free to call me 24/7 for advice on any problem you might have.


  • Whenever blotting your carpets or rugs DO NOT rub aggressively! You can easily damage the pile of your carpet! I have repeatedly removed stains for folks who ruined their carpets by scrubbing too hard! If you are using the wrong product, rubbing harder will not help!


  • When trying any product to remove a stain, do not pour it onto the carpet. Put a small amount on a colorfast towel and apply to a small area of the stain. If the stain does not come off onto the towel, you are using the wrong product.


  • NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use Oxi Clean! It is oxidizing bleach and will probably remove color from your carpet.


  • Always use towels that you don't care about as they may become permanently stained as well.


  • When I say extract if possible, I mean using a Bissel or other type of wet vacuum system. If you don't have a machine like this, you can spray water on with a squirt bottle and GENTLY blot with a colorfast towel.

Wool And Silk Rugs

Be VERY careful what you use on wool and silk rugs. Anything over an 8 on the PH scale can permanently damage them. BE CAREFUL if using my 'Revenge Spotter' on wool rugs, it may damage them.


C&H is available 24/7 for any free question or advice on a fast and easy way to stain removal. My carpet cleaning and furniture cleaning services are available in the Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor, CO areas.

  • Blood

    For smaller amounts such as drops from a nose bleed, use a colorfast towel and rubbing alcohol to blot the spots out. For larger spots use rubbing alcohol and water to break spot free, then extract.

  • Cat Urine

    Here's a home remedy that seems to work for cat urine odor:

    Always test for color fastness in an inconspicuous area. NOT for use on Wool!

    • 16 oz Hydrogen Peroxide
    • 1 Tbsp Baking Soda
    • 1 Tsp Dish Soap

    Instructions:

    Thoroughly saturate area with the mixture and just leave it. May take 72 hours to dry.

    Reduces odor and seems to discourage re-soiling.

  • Chocolate

    For smaller amounts Try to blot the spot out with a colorfast towel and water. Apply water and extract if you have a machine to do so.

  • Coffee

    For smaller spills blot with dry colorfast towel, then dilute with water and blot again. Apply water and extract if possible. For larger spots, blot with dry colorfast towel.

  • Copier Toner

    This stuff is very difficult to deal with and trying to clean it yourself usually makes it much worse.

  • Cough Syrup

    There are artificial dyes here that can easily be set in your carpet by using products such as Resolve. Blot the area using a dry colorfast towel. If possible apply water and extract.

  • Fingernail Polish

    This is very difficult to remove. Blot with a dry colorfast towel (one that you don't mind throwing away). For smaller spots you can try blotting with fingernail polish remover.

  • Feces

    Remove as much as possible using a spatula, spoon, putty knife, or piece of cardboard. Blot with dry colorfast towel. Apply C&H Revenge spotter to towel and blot again. Apply water and extract if possible.

  • Fruit Juice

    Whether a natural juice or one with artificial colors, blot with colorfast towel. Dilute with water and blot again or extract if possible. Certain spotters such as Resolve will not remove red dye and may cause the stain to set permanently.

  • Furniture Stains

    If caused by wooden varnished furniture, they are almost impossible to remove. Don't even try.

  • Glue

    There are many different types of glue out there. Most require special treatments to remove.

  • Grease

    Blot with a colorfast towel and rubbing alcohol. Repeat if necessary.

  • Gum

    You can try to freeze it with an ice cube and chip away at it, but be careful not to damage your carpet.

  • Hair Dye

    Blot with dry colorfast towel.

  • Hi-Liter Marker

    CALL!

  • Ink

    Small amounts may be removed by blotting with a colorfast towel and rubbing alcohol.

  • Tea

    For smaller spills blot with dry colorfast towel, then dilute with water and blot again. Apply water and extract if possible. For larger spots, blot with dry colorfast towel.

  • Kool Aid

    Blot with colorfast towel. Dilute with water and blot again or extract if possible. Certain spotters such as Resolve will not remove red dye and may cause the stain to set permanently.

  • Lipstick

    You can try to blot the spot with colorfast towel and rubbing alcohol.

  • Mascara

    You can try to blot the spot with colorfast towel and rubbing alcohol.

  • Milk

    Blot with colorfast towel. Rinse with water and blot again or extract if possible.

  • Mustard

    A very difficult stain to remove. Do nothing except to blot with a colorfast towel and call.

  • Permanent Marker

    Call

  • Plant Stain

    Call

  • Rust

    Call Tom

  • Shoe Polish

    You can try to blot the spot with colorfast towel and rubbing alcohol.

  • Urine

    Blot with colorfast towel, then dilute with water and blot again. Extract if possible.

  • Vomit

    Remove as much as possible using a spatula, spoon, putty knife, or piece of cardboard. Blot with dry colorfast towel. Apply C&H Revenge spotter to towel and blot again. Apply water and extract if possible.

  • Wax

    You can try to freeze it with an ice cube and chip away at it, but be careful not to damage your carpet.

  • Wine

    Blot with a colorfast towel. Dilute with water and blot again or extract if possible.