Talon Restoration and Cleaning, Inc. - Serving the Allen County, New Haven, Fort Wayne, Indiana area since 1997

COMMON SPILLS AND STAINS

ANIMAL URINE: Sponge the stained areas with several applications of lukewarm water, then absorb as much of the liquid as possible with a clean cloth. Apply formula 2. Allow to dry and apply formula 1. Allow to dry and apply formula 2 again. This treatment is effective in most cases, but if a color change occurs, no further treatment can restore the original color.

BEVERAGES: Includes tea, coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks. Sponge the areas with lukewarm water, absorb with cloth and repeat several times. Follow with formula 1. Then, if necessary, formula 2. Immediate action is necessary for beverage stains as a delayed-action tan or brown discoloration can occur.

BLOOD: Sponge with cool water and follow with formula 1. If a yellowish stain results, apply a few drops of peroxide. Allow to remain a few minutes, then sponge with cool water.

BUTTER AND FATS: Apply a non-flammable domestic dry cleaning fluid, and then sponge with a clean cloth.

CHEWING GUM: Apply a non-flammable domestic dry cleaning fluid both on and around the gum. Use liberally. Allow it to remain 3 or 4 minutes, and then lift off the gum with a dull knife. Repeat treatment, if gum does not lift off readily.

COSMETICS: Apply a non-flammable domestic dry cleaning fluid, and then follow with formula 1.

EGG, GELATIN, MUCILAGE: Apply formula 1. If stain remains, use formula 2.

FOODSTUFFS: Sponge with lukewarm water, then apply formula 1. If any trace of the stain remains after drying, apply a non-flammable domestic dry cleaning fluid and sponge it up.

FRUIT, FRUIT JUICES: Sponge with lukewarm water. Then, use formula 1.

FURNITURE POLISH: These are difficult to remove, because many polishes contain dyes. Apply a non-flammable domestic cleaning fluid. Then, sponge dry with a cloth. Apply formula 1. If the stain does not come out, consult your professional carpet cleaner.

GREASE: Same as butter and fat. Repeat, if necessary.

ICE MILK, MILK, DESSERTS: Sponge with lukewarm water. Follow with formula 1.

INK, BALLPOINT PEN: Use a non-flammable domestic dry cleaning fluid and sponge with a dry clean cloth.

IODINE: Apply a few drops of white vinegar to the stain. Mix a solution using 1 teaspoon of hypocrystals (available from your drugstore) in a glass of warm water. Apply with an eyedropper and carefully sponge toward the stain’s center. Repeat until stain is gone. Blot up remaining moisture.

MEDICINE, GENERAL: Sponge with lukewarm water, working toward center of stain. Apply one drop of formula 1. Immediately press cloth to the area and see if any of the stain transfers to the cloth. If it does, continue with formula 1. If it does not transfer, use formula 2. If neither responds, call your druggist and find out what the chemical content of the medicine is. Pass this information along to us, Talon Restoration and Cleaning, who can determine the best way of removing the stain.

MERCUROCHROME: Usually cannot be removed, but check with your professional carpet cleaner.

NAIL POLISH, HOUSEHOLD CEMENT, AND DOPE: Apply pure amyl acetate directly to the stain with an eyedropper. After a few minutes, sponge with a clean white cloth, working from the outer edge inward. IMPORTANT: These stains and home treatment of them can damage carpets made of synthetic fibers or blends. Home treatment is not advised on this type of carpet.

OIL: Most small oil stains will respond to non-flammable domestic dry cleaning fluids. If the stain is large, see Talon Restoration and Cleaning.

PAINT, VARNISH, and SHELLAC: Small stains can be treated with turpentine applied with an eyedropper. Sponge inward toward the stain’s center. Follow by applying a non-flammable domestic dry cleaning fluid, using the same sponging technique. If the stain does not respond to this treatment, or if it is large in the area to begin with, contact Talon Restoration and Cleaning.

PET STAINS: These wastes bleach carpet fibers. They cannot be removed fro any carpet, regardless of the treatment to carpet by the fiber or carpet manufacturer.

RUST: No job for an amateur. Call Talon Restoration and Cleaning.

SHOE POLISH—LIQUID: Apply a non-flammable domestic dry cleaning fluid and sponge toward the center. Repeat until the stain is gone.

SHOE POLISH—PASTE: Scrape off excess. Follow the same procedures as liquid shoe polish, above.

SUGAR, CANDY, CHOCOLATE, ETC: Scrape off excess and sponge with lukewarm water, working toward the center of the stain. Follow with formula 1.

WAX: Scrape off excess and apply a non-flammable domestic dry cleaning liquid. Sponge toward center of stain with a clean cloth.

Cleaning Formulas and Tips for Common Spills and Stains

Spills, spots and stains should be cleaned up immediately. Delays may cause removable discolorations to become permanent.

The following cleaning formulas and general information apply to all the common spills and stains listed in the section above.

FORMULA 1:

1 tsp. neutral (non-alkaline) synthetic, soap less detergent

½ pint lukewarm water

Mix in bowl until solution contains no residue. Suds are not important. Apply solution where recommended directly on the stain with an eyedropper. Use a clean, white unstarched cloth and sponge it in a rotary motion from the outside of stain toward the center. Keep inside the stained area. Blot up excess moisture with additional cloths, working in the direction of the lay of the carpet pile.

Repeat, if necessary.

FORMULA 2:

1tsp. white vinegar

3 tsp. lukewarm water

Mix and apply as above, gently agitating the saturated area with a cloth. Allow the solution to remain on the stained area for fifteen minutes, and then blot up the excess moisture. Moisten another cloth in clean, lukewarm water and sponge the area again several times. Finish by sponging in direction of the pile. Then, blot up remaining moisture.