CARPET FIRST AID                            

You will be surprised at what plain WATER can do!

Water is the universal solvent for food, drinks or body fluids, such as blood or vomit.

When a spill occurs, time is of the essence. First try just plain water.

• First, blot up the spill; use a white paper towel and a scraper if necessary. Blot it - don't scrub!
• Then pour clean cold water on to the area. Do not use any cleaner at this time.
• Using a clean white towel, soak up the water and the soil.
• Continue to flush the soil out of the carpet until the colour has gone.
• Do not rub the carpet. Use a tamping or blotting action.
• Stubborn stains may respond to the use of a surfactant such as a wool wash (like you would use for a woolen jumper)
• When the colour has gone, blot up the last of the water.
• Fold a dry white towel to make a pad, which covers the soiled area.
• Place some books or something similar with a little weight on top.
• The remaining water will wick up into the towels.
• Cold water is the safest action. Heated water can fix, or set protein based soils, such as blood or foods containing other proteins, such as egg.

Once the soil has dried, it often becomes a job for a properly trained carpet restoration technician.

GUM:  Easier to remove after being frozen with ice, scrap with a spoon.

WAX: Place a clean cloth, paper bag or paper towel over the wax. Run a warm iron over the cloth until the wax melts. (Hair dryer) Once the wax is melted, Lift the cloth and the wax should lift with it. Do not use this method on pollyprop carpets!

ODOR: That is not overwhelming can often be dealt with by using baking soda, spread in an even layer on the carpeting and allowed to stand for several minutes. Vacuum up the baking soda, the carpet smell is eliminated and the carpeting is left with a fresh and clean smell.