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Cleaning Spills and Stains from

Shaw Rugs

No Carpet or rug is stain proof, but since many are stain resistant, you have time to act, if you do so quickly, to prevent deep-set staining. Follow these general guidelines for spills not specifically listed below.

1. Remove as much of the spill as possible by scraping the carpet gently with a spoon of a dull knife.
2. Absorb wet spills as quickly as possible by blotting repeatedly with white paper towels or white cloth towels. Always blot; never rub or scrub abrasively, as a fuzzy area may result. When blotting, work from the outer edge in towards the center of the spot to avoid spreading the spill.
3. Remove the stain using one of the cleaning items from the checklist below.
4. Rinse the cleaned carpet area with water to remove detergent residue that may become sticky and cause rapid re-soiling.
5. Absorb any remaining moisture by placing several layers of white towels over the spill and weighing them down with a heavy object. This step isnecessary even when the rug or carpet doesn't seem particularly damp.

Cleaning Oil-Based Spills

The following types of oil-based spills can be cleaned using the method below:

• Asphalt
• Butter
• Crayons
• Furniture Polish (oil-based)
• Grease (auto)
• Grease (food)
• Ink (ballpoint)
• Lipstick
• Paint (latex, dry)
• Paint (oil)
• Shoe Polish

Blot as much as possible with white paper towels. Apply the special oil or grease spot remover (Use a spot remover engineered specifically for grease, oil, or tar, such as Carbona or Energine.) to a paper towel and repeat blotting. (Protective gloves should be worn, as the solvent will quickly remove oils from the skin and could result in irritation.) Do not pour or spray directly on the carpet pile, as damage to the backing or adhesive underneath could result; use the towels to transport the solvent to the carpet. Repeat as often as necessary.

Provide adequate ventilation. Do not use flammable solvents.

If necessary, continue to blot the stained area with white towels dampened with cool water until there is no more transfer of the stain onto the towels.

Then use the detergent solution. Spray lightly onto the spot and blot repeatedly with white towels, working from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to avoid spreading the stain. Rinse thoroughly by spraying with clean water, and then blot or extract. Do not use too much detergent because the residue will contribute to rapid re-soiling.

For stubborn stains we reccommend using a professional cleaner.

What do you use to clean the spill? Be prepared with the following checklist.

White cloths or white paper towels

Detergent solution: Mix mild liquid detergent with water (no more than 1/4 teaspoon of detergent to 32 ounces of water.) A clear non-bleach liquid dishwashing detergent such as Dawn, Joy or clear Ivory is reccommended. Do not use detergents that are cloudy, creamy, or colored as they may leave a sticky residue.

Vinegar solution:  Mix 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water.

Ammonia solution:  Mix one tablespoon of ammonia to one cup of water. (Do not use on wool or wool-blend carpets or rugs.)

Non-oily nail polish remover

Chewing gum remover (freeze or solid type)

Spot remover:  Use spot remover designed specifically for grease, oil, or tar, such as Carbona or Energine.

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