Most of the wear of carpeting is caused by dirt. Oily soils attract more oily soil and frequent vacuuming will reduce soil buildup.

The following five solutions will be required, together with some white, absorbent cloth or tissue.

1. Mild Powder Detergent Solution 
   Mix 1-teaspoon of mild powder detergent solution with 1-cup of lukewarm water.
2. Ammonia Solution 
   Mix 1-tablespoon of household ammonia with 1/2 cup of warm water. (Refrain from a stronger ammonia solution on wool carpet.)
3. Vinegar Solution
   Mix 1/3 cup of white, household vinegar with the 2/3 cup of water.
4. Enzyme Detergent
   Commercial enzyme detergent such as Nature’s Miracle ®.
5. Dry Cleaning Solvent
   Commercial volatile dry spotter such as Energine ®.

• Test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area, then tackle the stain by working from the outer edge towards the center and blot, don’t rub.
• The final spot removal step is always to gently rinse the area with water and then absorb all of the remaining moisture with absorbent towels.
• When finished, place a 1/2” pad of white, absorbent paper towels over affected area and weight down with a flat, heavy object.
• Change absorbent pad until transfer of spilled substance or residue is no longer visible on absorbent pad.

Blood: Remove excess with a blunt knife. Apply cool detergent solution and blot. If stain remains, apply cool ammonia solution and blot. Apply Enzyme Detergent, if necessary, and blot. Rinse and blot dry.

Chewing Gum: Remove excess with blunt knife. Apply Dry Cleaning Solvent and blot, followed by Detergent solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Chocolate: Remove excess with a blunt knife. Apply cool Detergent solution and blot. If stain remains, apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Apply Enzyme Detergent. Rinse and blot dry.

Catsup / Tomato Sauce: Remove excess with a blunt knife. Apply cool Detergent solution and blot. Apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. If stain remains, apply Enzyme Detergent. Rinse and blot dry.

Coffee / Tea: Blot up the surplus spillage. Apply Detergent solution and blot, and follow with Vinegar solution. If stain remains, apply Enzyme Detergent, if necessary. Rinse and blot dry.

Fats: Remove with a blunt knife. Apply Dry Cleaning Solvent and blot. If stain remains, apply Detergent solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Fruit Juice: Blot up the surplus spillage. Apply Detergent solution and blot. If stain remains, apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry. If stain remains, apply Enzyme Detergent. Rinse and blot dry.

Glue: Remove excess with a blunt knife. Use Detergent solution and blot. If stain remains, apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Gravy: Remove excess with a blunt knife. Apply Detergent solution and blot. If stain remains, apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. If stain remains, apply Enzyme Detergent. Rinse and blot dry.

Grease: Remove excess with a blunt knife. Apply Dry Cleaning Solvent and blot. If stain remains, apply Detergent solution and blot. Apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Ice Cream: Remove excess with a spoon. Apply Detergent solution and blot. If stain remains, apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Lipstick: Remove excess with a blunt knife. Apply Dry Cleaning Solvent and blot. If stain remains, apply Detergent solution and blot. Apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Milk: Blot up the surplus spillage. Apply cool Detergent solution and blot. If stain remains, apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Apply Enzyme Detergent, if necessary. Rinse and blot dry.

Nail Polish: Remove excess with a blunt knife. Cautiously blot repeatedly with nail polish remover. If stain remains, apply Dry Cleaning Solvent and blot. Apply Detergent solution. Apply Ammonia solution followed by Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Oil: Remove excess with a blunt knife. Apply Dry Cleaning Solvent and blot. Apply Detergent solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Paint (Oil-base): Remove excess with a spoon. Apply Dry Cleaning Solvent and blot. If stain remains, apply Detergent solution. Apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Paint (Water-base): Remove excess with a spoon. Apply Detergent solution and blot. Apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. If stain remains, apply Dry Cleaning Solvent. Rinse and blot dry.

Shoe Polish: Remove excess with a blunt knife. Apply Dry Cleaning Solvent and blot. Apply Detergent solution. If stain remains, apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Soft Drinks: Blot up the surplus spillage. Apply cool Detergent solution and blot. If stain remains, apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Urine: Blot up as much as possible, if still wet. Apply Detergent solution and blot. If stain remains, apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Vomit: Remove excess with a spoon. Apply Enzyme Detergent and blot. Apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry.

Wax: Remove excess with a blunt knife. Apply Dry Cleaning Solvent followed by Detergent solution. Rinse and blot dry. For persistent wax residue, and on nylon carpet only, place a white absorbent towel on the wax area. Heat an iron to “low heat” and place on the towel for 30-seconds to melt and absorb the wax. Move the towel as needed. Caution: This procedure can damage the carpet if not done very cautiously.

Wine: Blot up the surplus spillage. Apply cool Detergent solution. If stain remains, apply Ammonia solution and follow with Vinegar solution. Rinse and blot dry.