Frequently Asked Questions

How to clean asphalt

Apply a dry-cleaning solvent found in the grocery store or spray spot-remover containing a grease solvent such as petroleum naphtha or trichlorethylene. An all-purpose spot remover can also be used. Be careful to just blot the stain. Cover stain with a pad of absorbent material dampened with the dry-cleaning solvent. Change the absorbent materials as it picks up the stain. Keep the stain and pad damp with the solvent. Rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean ball point ink stains

Sponge with rubbing alcohol. If stain is still present, apply dry-cleaning fluid or spray spot-remover containing a grease solvent such as petroleum naphtha or trichlorethylene. If the stain still persists, apply glycerin that can be purchased from a drug store. Blot the surface with an absorbent material. It is important to remove stain immediately. Keep stain moist with glycerin. Continue as long as any stain is being removed. Then apply wet spotter (one part glycerin, one part liquid hand dish washing detergent, and one part water, shake well before using). Reapply and blot as long as stain is being removed. Add few drops of household ammonia and blot. Apply as long as stain is being removed. When stain is removed, rinse with cool water until the entire residue of cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean blood stains

If blood stain is fresh, soak in cold water, and rub with liquid dish washing detergent. Rinse with cold water. Repeat this process several times. Next apply a household ammonia solution consisting of one tablespoon household ammonia to one cup of cold water. Blot up the excess moisture. If the stain has not been removed, make a paste of water and an enzyme laundry product. After using chemicals, rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean spilled candle wax

Put ice in a plastic bag and then put the plastic bag on the wax to harden. Scrape off excess wax with a dull knife or spatula. Vacuum up the loose pieces. Apply a dry-cleaning solvent, all-purpose spot remover, or spray spot-remover containing a grease solvent such as petroleum naphtha or trichlorethylene. Blot. If any of the stain is left, apply lacquer thinner. Do not soak. Rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

Carpet Cleaning

Choices between a home cleaning method or professional cleaning will depend upon the requirements of the particular situation, the amount of money, time, effort, skill, and equipment available. If home cleaning is chosen, there are two basic methods: dry methods and wet methods. Dry methods include dry-cleaning chemicals in an absorbent material that are applied to the carpet and vacuumed. Although this method does the least damage to the carpet, it generally does not provide deep cleaning. Wet carpet cleaning methods include the following: aerosol spray foam, shampoo, and hot water extraction or referred to as steam cleaning. One problem with some steam machines rented from grocery stores is that they often put too much water into the carpet that can cause damage, such as excess moisture that causes mildew growth. Professional cleaners use a variety of wet and dry methods similar to home cleaning methods. Steam cleaning by professional carpet cleaners is less likely to damage carpet because more powerful machines are used. Steam cleaning is often used to clean carpets that are very soiled. Before choosing a professional cleaner, check with a carpet retailer for names of reputable companies. Friends and neighbors who have had their carpet cleaned professionally are another source for recommendations.

How to clean up chewing gum

Put ice in a plastic bag and then put the plastic bag on the chewing gum to harden. Crunch fabric to loosen gum. Scrape off excess gum with a dull knife or spatula. Vacuum up the loose pieces. Sponge with lacquer thinner. Do not soak. Another alternative is to apply dry-cleaning solvent, all-purpose spot remover or spray spot-remover containing petroleum naphtha or trichlorethylene. Rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean fruit juice\punch stains

Immediately blot up the spill. Spray with carbonated club soda and blot up the stain until no more of the stain comes up in the blotter. If the stain persists, apply household ammonia solution (one tablespoon ammonia to one cup lukewarm water) and blot. If this does not seem to remove the stain, then apply a white vinegar solution (one tablespoon vinegar to one cup lukewarm water) to the spill. Blot until stain is removed. Rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean glue stains

It is important to treat the stain while glue is wet. Dried glue may be permanent. For water soluble glues, like Elmer's and paste, immediately sponge with warm water to remove the glue. For synthetic glues such as super glue and model cement, stains may be permanent. Try sponging with lacquer thinner. If this does not work, try using a dry-cleaning solvent, or all-purpose spot remover. On fresh glue, use laundry soap and water. Rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean label residue

Sometimes labels can be rubbed off with your fingers. Just roll the rubber cement into small balls with your thumb. Try removing as much of the label as possible. Vacuum the little pieces of paper and glue before sponging with a dry-cleaning solvent. Keep the area moist with dry-cleaning solvent and change the area of the sponge often to not reapply the glue. You can also try cleaning with pre-wash spot remover purchased at the grocery store, liquid dish washing detergent in warm water, or fingernail polish remover. Do not use fingernail polish on acetate it will dissolve fibers. After using chemicals, rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up excess the moisture.

How to clean lipstick stains

Use a damp cloth to blot up fresh lipstick. Then apply a all-purpose spot remover, dry-cleaning fluid, or spray spot-remover with a grease solvent. Blot area until it is free of stain. If stain remains, sponge with rubbing alcohol. Then dampen stain with water and rub with laundry detergent or a paste of granular laundry detergent and water. Rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean Magic Marker stains

Sponge with cool water and blot. Spray stain with hair spray. Blot and reapply hair spray until the area is free of color. Apply a solution of one part glycerin, one part liquid hand dish washing detergent, one part water, and a few drops of vinegar. Shake well before using and let stand for 30-40 minutes on the stain. Blot frequently and reapply solution as necessary. Rinse with cool water and blot. If stain persists, apply a dry-cleaning solvent or a spray spot-remover containing petroleum naphtha or trichlorethylene. When stain is removed, rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean oil-based paint stains

Blot up spilled paint as soon as possible. Read the label on the paint container to determine the solvent for the paint. If you can not find the container for label information, remove the stain using turpentine or paint thinner. Once the stain is removed, apply a water and detergent solution, or a dry-cleaning solvent to remove the oily residue. If you wait until the paint has dried, the stain may be permanent and you may consider having the carpet replaced. After using chemicals, rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean pine sap stains

For a pine sap stain, sponge with dry-cleaning solvent, all-purpose spot remover, or spray spot-remover containing a grease solvent such as petroleum naphtha or trichlorethylene. If the stain is not removed, use a solution of liquid laundry detergent and ammonia. After using chemicals, rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean shoe polish stains

Remove as much of the shoe polish as possible with a clean cloth. Apply dry-cleaning fluid or spray spot-remover containing a grease solvent such as petroleum naphtha or trichlorethylene. Blot the residue. If this does not work, apply a household ammonia solution of one tablespoon of household ammonia to one cup of water. Blot. If this does not lift the stain, apply a white vinegar solution of one tablespoon vinegar to one cup of water. Blot up the excess moisture. After using chemicals, rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean urine stains

Blot up as much as possible, if still wet. Apply a white vinegar solution consisting of one part vinegar and one part water. Let sit for ten minutes. The vinegar will neutralize the urine odor. Blot and dab with cool, clear water and blot thoroughly. If this does not get rid of the odor, apply an ammonia solution consisting of one tablespoon household ammonia, one-half teaspoon liquid dish washing detergent, and one cup warm water. Put solution onto the urine stain. Let sit for thirty minutes. Rinse with water and blot to remove as much moisture as possible. Once stain and odors are removed, rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean vomit stains

Blot up as much as possible, if still wet. Apply a solution of two cups warm water, one-half teaspoon liquid dish washing detergent, and one tablespoon of ammonia. Let soak for fifteen minutes. Blot area occasionally with absorbent material. Continue as long as the stain is being removed. Rinse with water. It is important to remove all of the ammonia. Apply a solution of one quart of warm water and one tablespoon of an enzyme product. Let soak for thirty minutes. Once stain and odors are removed, rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.

How to clean water-based paint stains

Blot up spilled paint as soon as possible. Spray a solution of warm water and liquid dish washing detergent on the stain. Repeat spraying and blotting until the stain is removed. If paint has dried, moisten areas with rubbing alcohol. If this does not remove the paint, try using lacquer thinner. Once the stain is removed, rinse with cool water until the entire residue of the cleaning materials are gone. Blot up the excess moisture.