Top Tips for Stain Protection

We always advise that you call a professional rather than attempt DIY stain removal, however, we are always happy to offer advice – we’re only a FREE phone call away!

If you need to attempt a DIY approach we hope the following tips might be of interest.

“Stay calm!”

• Keep the fabric or carpet as dry as possible
• Do not over wet, so as to soak into backing materials/underlay
• Scrape up or blot up any excess spillage prior to treatment
• BLOT/DAB as much of the spillage into white paper towels/kitchen roll or a plain absorbent cloth, (use as many paper towels as necessary)
• Do not use inappropriate detergents on carpets or upholstery i.e. (washing up liquid, washing powders, household bleach, disinfectants.) These will usually cause discolouration or set the stain
• Always work from the outside of the stain inward to avoid spreading
• Always apply the cleaning fluid to the absorbent spotting material not directly onto the carpet or fabric
• Deal with stains as quickly as possible for increased chances of success

Dried In Stains

• Mix up a detergent solution of two litres of tepid water + a quarter of a teaspoon of carpet shampoo + one eggcup full of white vinegar
• Rewet the stained area using the detergent solution applied on a piece of cotton wool
• Blot using kitchen roll as above.

Greasy Stains

(i.e. chocolate, butter, lipstick, some oily food stains, some Inks)

• Apply small quantity of surgical spirit to some cotton wool or cotton bud
• Using the lightly soaked cotton wool apply to the edges of the stain working inwards to the centre
• Gently press (blot) with plain kitchen roll, and repeat as necessary until the stain no longer transfers. Do not allow penetration into the backing of the carpet or foam filling materials on upholstery. Some fabrics may darken initially during this process
• Using a detergent solution on cotton wool, dampen the area and follow up by blotting with kitchen roll
• Dry, using hair dryer, continually moving over the damp area. (This will help to prevent water marking)

Water Based Stains

(i.e. tea, coffee, fruit juices, wine, some basic food stains)

• Soak up spillage immediately using absorbent material, or suck up with a wet pick up vacuum. (Do not use a normal vacuum cleaner, as this can be very dangerous to you and damage the motor)
• Rewet the area using tepid water on a small piece of sponge or cotton wool
• Blot with dry absorbent material such as kitchen roll, and repeat as necessary
• Dry with hair dryer keeping the dryer moving all the time, (this will help to prevent watermarking).

To discuss your stain protection requirements in more detail or to receive a free no obligation quotation please call us on FREEPHONE 0800 1955 044.

We serve the towns and surrounding villages of Reading, Earley, Woodley, Newbury, Thatcham, Wokingham, Caversham, Henley, Sonning Common, Marlow, Bourne End, High Wycombe, Beaconsfield, Bracknell, Ascot, Maidenhead, Eton, Windsor, Slough, Gerrards Cross, Stoke Poges, Virginia Water, Amersham, Chesham, Chalfont St. Giles, Chalfont St. Peter, Little Chalfont, Princes Risborough, Wallingford, Thame, Aylesbury, Great Missenden.