SELECT A STAIN

Between scheduled cleanings, you may need some help with stains and spots.

Use the drop-down menu to select the type of stain you have and removal instructions will appear below - or simply scroll down to browse the whole list.

Beer

Appearance

Yellow, yellowish brown, stiffens when dry

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Blood

Appearance

Red to dark brown, stiffens when dry

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with cool water and blot dry.

Butter

Appearance

Yellowish, brown, greasy

Directions

1. Remove excess.
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.

Candle Wax

Appearance

Stiff, built up on surface

Directions

1. Remove excess.
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.
3. Place absorbent brown paper over spot; use electric iron on low heat; iron over paper until all wax is absorbed into the paper

Ketchup

Appearance

Red, brown, stiffens when dry

Directions

1. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply cool Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Rinse with cool water and blot dry.

Chewing Gum

Appearance

Grey, pink, sticky

Directions

1. Harden gum with ice cube; when brittle, scrape off.
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.
3. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Chocolate

Appearance

Brown, stiffen when dry, built up on surface

Directions

1. Remove excess.
2. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
3. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
4. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
5. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Cocktails

Appearance

Light brown, or colorless

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Coffee

Appearance

Brown, darkens with age

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Cough Syrup

Appearance

Red, brown, sticky when wet, stiffens when dry

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Crayons

Appearance

Any color, shiny, waxy

Directions

1. Remove excess.
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.
3. Apply Detergent Solution, blot.
4. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Egg (raw)

Appearance

White, yellow, stiffens when dry

Directions

1. Remove excess.
2. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
3. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Food Coloring

Appearance

Any color, absorbed into surface

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Fruit Juice

Appearance

Yellow, or color of fruit, absorbed appearance

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Furniture Stain

Appearance

Red,brown, absorbed appearance

Directions

1. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.
2. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Glue (School)

Appearance

White, clear, sticky when wet, stiffens when dry

Directions

1. Apply water, blot.
2. Apply Detergent Solution, blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Grass

Appearance

Green/brown smudges

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Gravy

Appearance

Brown, built up on surface

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Ice Cream

Appearance

Any color, stiffens when dry

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Ink

Appearance

Can be any color, usually blue or black

Directions

1. (On smooth finish vinyl/leather) Use hair spray; let set; clean with Detergent Solution.
2. (On carpet/fabric) Use Dry Cleaning Solvent or Isopropyl alchohol.

Lipstick

Appearance

Oily, waxy, all colors

Directions

1. Remove excess.
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.
3. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Mercurochrome/Merthiolate

Appearance

Reddish orange

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Mildew

Appearance

Greyish brown with grey or black spots

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Milk

Appearance

White, stiffens when dry

Directions

1. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Mud

Appearance

Grey, brown, stiff when dry

Directions

1. Let dry, remove excess.
2. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Mustard

Appearance

Yellowish, brown

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Nail Polish

Appearance

Red, pink,stiffens when dry

Directions

1. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.
2. Apply Detergent Solution, blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Oils/Grease

Appearance

Red, pink,stiffens when dry

Directions

1. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.
2. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Paint (Oil-based)

Appearance

Any color, stiffens when dry, built up on surface

Directions

1. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.
2. Apply Dry cleaning fluid, weight down with tissues on spot, let stand; replace tissues and apply P/V remover periodically.
3. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Paint (Water-based)

Appearance

Any color, stiffens when dry

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.
4.Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.

Preserves, Jam & Jelly

Appearance

Usually reddish or blue purple; will cause stiffness of fiber

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Rubber Cement

Appearance

Colorless, or white, sticky when wet, stiffens when dry

Directions

1. Remove excess.
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.
3. Apply Detergent Solution, blot.
4. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Rust

Appearance

Red, brown, usually built up on surface

Directions

1. Apply rust remover.
2. Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes, blot; repeat.
3. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Shoe Polish

Appearance

Black, brown, built up on surface

Directions

1. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.
2. Apply Detergent Solution, blot.
3. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Soft Drinks

Appearance

Yellow, red, brown, darkens with age

Directions

1. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Soot

Appearance

Black spots, smudges

Directions

1. Vacuum first, Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.
2. Apply Detergent Solution, blot.
3. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Tar/Asphalt

Appearance

Brown, black, built up on surface

Directions

1. Remove excess.
2. Apply Non-Flammable Dry Cleaning Fluid, blot.
3. Apply Detergent Solution, blot.
4. Rinse with water, blot dry.

Toothpaste

Appearance

White, green, built up on surface

Directions

1. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Urine

Appearance

Yellow, brown, darkens with age

Directions

1. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Vomit

Appearance

Various colors, built up on surface

Directions

1. Remove excess.
2. Apply Detergent Solution and blot.
3. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.

Wine

Appearance

Red, purple, absorbed appearance

Directions

1. Apply cool Detergent Solution and blot.
2. Apply Vinegar solution and blot.
3. Apply Ammonia solution and blot.
4. Rinse with water and blot dry.