Cleaning and Spot Guide

1. Cleaning and Spot Cleaning Guide
Residential Carpet Cleaning Frequency Chart
Did you know that according to the Institute of Inspection , Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC)
you should have your carpets cleaned AT LEAST 1 TIME PER YEAR depending on the
amount of traffic . The IICRC is a professional association that trains & monitors cleaning
technicians throughout North America. To help you decide how often your carpets need to be
cleaned, I have included a graph from the IICRC S100 Standards. These standards provide the
guidelines used by the Carpet Industry to give your carpet the longest life possible.
Cleaning Frequency Guidelines
from the IICRC Standard for Carpet Cleaning S001-1991
. Traffic Soil
Rating
Carpet Owner/Maintainer
Professional Carpet
Cleaner/Restorer
Vacuuming Spot Cleaning
Heavy-Use Area
Cleaning
Restorative
Cleaning
Light Soil
1 time per
week
Daily or as soon
as the spots are
noticed.
Traffic areas
every 12-18
months
Every 2 years per
manufacturer
warranty
Normal Soil
(Families with children,
elderly)
1 to 2 times
per week
Daily or as soon
as the spots are
noticed
Traffic areas
every 6 to `12
months
Annually
Heavy Soil
(Families with pets,
smoking)
2 to 4 times
per week
Daily or as soon
as the spots are
noticed
Traffic area
every 3 to 6
months
Semi-annually
(2 times annually)
Extreme Conditions
(large families, multiple
pets)
Daily
Daily or as soon
as the spots are
noticed
Traffic lanes
every 2 to 3
months
Quarterly
(4 times annually
This table is intended to serve as a guideline for recommended cleaning frequencies from a
public health perspective. Originally published in a letter from the U.S. EPA, this schedule has
been adopted as part of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification's
(IICRC) Carpet Cleaning Standard S001-1991. Complete copies of the IICRC Carpet Cleaning
Standard can be obtained by calling the Institute at 360-693-5675. (From: U.S. EPA Letter,
January, 1989)
What do we recommend?
There's no doubt that regular, professional cleanings benefit both you and your carpet.
Removing unwanted contaminates from your carpet promotes a healthier indoor environment.
Properly maintaining your carpet prolongs its useful life. We can help you determine how often
you should clean your carpets during your cleaning visit. Here are a few tips.

2.  Clean your carpet sooner rather than later. Soil buried in your carpet acts like an
abrasive, accelerating the wear of face yarns, and soils are much harder to remove when
they've been ground in over an extended period of time.
 Vacuum regularly, especially in front of exterior doors where soils can accumulate.
 Clean up spills when they happen.
 Use products intended for use on carpets only. Try water or carbonated water first. If the
spot remains use a non-residual product such as “Spotter Blotter”.
 Properly performed cleaning, even frequent cleaning, does not damage your carpet nor
will it cause your carpet to soil more quickly.
 ALWAYS consult a professional if you have questions about the care of your carpet.
 Call Our Office at 770-410-1950.
SPOT REMOVAL STEPS
Act Quickly! Most carpet available today has been treated with a stain-resist treatment, so many
spills can be removed if immediate action is taken. The longer the delay, the higher the
probability of a spill becoming a permanent stain. Remember, staining is influenced by many
factors, and no carpet is completely stain proof.
Blot liquids with a dry, white, absorbent cloth or white (no printing) paper towels.
Do not scrub the area! Scrubbing can cause pile distortion in the affected area. Continue to use a
dry cloth or paper towels until the area is completely dry. For semi-solids, gently scrape up with
a rounded spoon. Solids should be broken up and vacuumed until completely removed.
If the spot can be identified, locate the substance in the spot removal computer and follow the
directions carefully.
Pretest any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area to make certain the solution will not
damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth
on the wet area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or
damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.
Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to a white cloth, allow to sit for about 10
minutes and work in gently.
Work from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent the spill from spreading. Do not scrub!
Blot, absorbing as much as possible, and repeat if necessary.
Continue using the first cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. It
is not necessary to use all of the cleaning solutions if the first solution removes the spill. Be
patient! Complete removal of the spill may require repeating the same step several times.

3. After the spill has been completely removed, rinse the affected area thoroughly with cold water,
and blot with a dry cloth until all of the solution has been removed. Some cleaning solutions will
cause rapid soiling if the solution is not completely removed. Apply a one-half inch layer of
white paper towels to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy object. Continue to
change paper towels as needed.
A dry, absorbent, cleaning compound may be used as a substitute to accelerate drying time.
For more detailed information on a specific spill, please call our office at 770-410-1950 and
request our Professional Guide at no cost to you mailed to your residence.
Many fiber manufacturers provide a toll-free cleaning assistance and advice (consult your
warranty).
Spotting Guide
The key to successful spot removal is getting to it as quick as possible. Keep this page book-
marked, or make a copy of it so you will be able to refer to it when you need it. Be sure to let
your friends and family know about this spotting guide so they will be able to use it as well.
YOUR BASIC SPOT REMOVAL KIT
Keep the following items on hand so you will be prepared to handle fresh spills on your carpet:
Neutral dish detergent such as Joy® or Dawn® (dilute 20:1); clear household ammonia; white
vinegar (dilute 1:1); wet spotter such as Spot Gone®; dry spotter such as Dissolve®; paint
thinner; hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) for bleaching; denatured or isopropyl alcohol; a good
supply of white terry cloths; and a spotting brush. If you have pets, stock a bacteria/enzyme
digester such as Liquid Alive®. A wet/dry vacuum is great to have as well.
THE 6 STEPS TO REMOVING SPOTS
1. Catch it while it's fresh, when chances of removal are 75% better. Don't iron or hot-air dry
until the stain is gone. Heat will set most stains.
2. First blot up all the liquid and scrape up all the solids you can. On a large liquid spill you can
use a wet/dry vac. Be careful not to spread the stain.
3. Test any chemical you intend to use in a hidden area to make sure it won't discolor or damage
the surface.
4. Apply spotter and work from the outside of the stain in, to avoid spreading. Blot, don't scrub;
strike with the flat face of a spotting brush if needed to help break up the stain.
5. Rinse chemical spotters out with water, blot the area dry and feather the edges. Brush or fluff
up pile or nap.

4. 6. On carpet and upholstery, put a thick pad of toweling over the spot, weight it down with
books, and leave it there overnight to "wick up" any remaining moisture.
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC SPOTS AND SPILLS
1. Acid - Apply a solution of baking soda and water until acid has been neutralized. Then apply
ammonia solution and rinse with cold water.
2. Alcohol - Apply detergent solution. Blot. Apply vinegar solution. Blot. Bleach with hydrogen
peroxide if necessary. Rinse with cold water. Blot dry.
3. Blood - Scrape off dried blood and apply cool detergent solution. Blot. Apply cool ammonia
solution. Blot. Rinse. Blot dry. If stain remains, apply rust remover or bleach with hydrogen
peroxide.
4. Candle Wax - Scrape off all you can. Ice cubes will make it brittle for easier scraping. A hot
iron (on low heat setting) over a damp cloth will melt and absorb remaining wax. Apply dry-
cleaning solvent. Blot.
5. Candy - Scrape off all you can with a dull knife. Sponge with detergent solution. Blot. Rinse.
Be sure all traces of sugar are gone. Sugars left in carpet will cause a rapid re-soiling problem.
6. Chocolate - Scrape off all you can first. Sponge with dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. Sponge with
detergent solution. Blot. Rinse. If stain remains, bleach with hydrogen peroxide.
7. Cigarette Burns - If the burn is slight, rub with dry steel wool - or if you feel confident, trim
the damaged tufts. If the burn is bad, take a razor blade and scrape some fibers from a hidden
area and use super glue to patch the burn with the fibers.
8. Coffee - Blot with detergent solution. Rinse. Blot with vinegar. Rinse. Air dry. If stain
remains, sponge with dry cleaning solvent. Bleach remaining stain with hydrogen peroxide.
Coffee is a very difficult stain, and can in many cases be permanent. Call us.
9. Crayon - Scrape off all you can. Just as with candle wax, use a hot iron and a damp cloth to
melt and absorb the remaining wax. Apply dry cleaning solvent. Blot. Apply detergent solution.
Rinse. Blot dry.
10. Grass - Apply detergent solution. Blot. Rinse. Blot. Apply ammonia solution. Blot. Apply
vinegar solution. Blot. Rinse.
11. Greasy Foods - Apply dry cleaning solvent. Work to center to avoid ring. Blot. Apply light
detergent solution. Rinse. Blot dry.
12. Gum - Use aerosol gum freeze or ice cube to harden the gum and make it brittle, then strike
and break into pieces. Scrape them up with a dull butter knife. Remove residue with dry cleaning

5. solvent.
13. Ice Cream - Don't wait. Blot up all you can immediately with a dry cloth. Apply ammonia
solution or protein digester. Rinse. If area is large, shampoo afterward.
14. Ink - Sponge with detergent solution. Rinse. If stain remains, saturate with cheap hair spray
and blot. Always work from the outside in to avoid making the spot bigger.
15. Jam/Jelly - Apply detergent solution. Let sit to soften. Blot. Apply vinegar solution. Blot.
Rinse. Blot dry.
16. Lipstick - Scrape off all you can, taking care not to spread the stain. Apply dry cleaning
solvent and blot repeatedly until color is gone. Apply detergent solution. Blot. Apply ammonia
solution. Blot. Rinse. Blot.
17. Mildew - Dry-brush to remove as much as possible. Sponge area with disinfectant solution.
Blot. Sponge with ammonia. Rinse. Bleach with hydrogen peroxide.
18. Mud - Allow to dry and vacuum or brush off as much as possible. Apply detergent or
ammonia solution. Blot. Rinse. Blot dry. If stain remains, apply dry cleaning solvent. Blot dry.
19. Mustard/Ketchup - Apply vinegar solution. Blot. Apply detergent solution. Blot. If stain
remains apply rust remover or hydrogen peroxide solution. Blot. Do not use ammonia or alkaline
cleaners.
20. Nail Polish - Blot acetone or non-oily nail polish remover through the stain into a clean
absorbent pad. No acetone on acetate, modacrylic, silk, or wool. Use amyl acetate from a
pharmacy. Flush with dry cleaning fluid. Air-dry.
21. Oil - Apply dry cleaning solvent. Work to center to avoid ring. Blot. Apply light detergent
solution. Rinse. Blot.
22. Paint/Varnish - Oil-based paint or varnish: if fresh, flush with mineral spirits. If dry, carefully
soften with lacquer thinner (test first for fabric damage) then flush with appropriate solvent.
23. Pet Stains - Blot out all liquid possible by placing a clean towel on the spot and standing on
it. Apply bacteria/enzyme digester according to directions. When dry, remove any remaining
stain with detergent solution. Rinse. Blot dry.
24. Rust - Rub with steel wool or rust remover. If you use professional rust remover, be careful
not to get any on your skin. Don't apply it to glass, porcelain or enamel surfaces. Rinse. Blot dry.
25. Shoe Polish - Gently scrape off all you can, being extra careful not to spread the stain. Blot
dry cleaning solvent through the stain into a clean absorbent pad. Sponge with detergent solution.
Blot. Sponge with ammonia. Rinse. If stain remains, try alcohol, then hydrogen peroxide.

6. 26. Soft Drinks - Blot up all you can. Blot with detergent solution. Rinse. Air dry. If stain
remains, soak with glycerin for 30 minutes and rinse.
27. Tar - Scrape up all you can, then remove residue by blotting with paint thinner or dry
cleaning solvent. Blot with detergent solution. Rinse. Blot dry.
28. Vomit - Scrape up as much as possible. Apply bacteria/enzyme digester according to
directions. When dry, remove any remaining stain with detergent solution. Rinse. Blot dry.