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Gemini's Handy Spotting Guide For Carpets

Want to try your hand at removing a spot yourself? Try these tricks! 

First, Review the Do's and Don'ts, then proceed.

Image by Brett Jordan
Terminology

A few words

Scrape Use a spoon or dull knife to remove bulk of spill

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Blot- Use soft terri-cloth towel and press firmly on spot

 

 

Flush- Use Cold water only

 

 

Dry Cleaning Solvents- Apply dry-cleaning solvent to a clean white terri-cloth towel and work spot

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Wet-Spotter- Mix 1 part mild dish soap with 8 parts cold water

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Rinse- Mix 1 part white vinegar with 4 parts cold water

Image by Markus Spiske
Do's

Do This

-ACT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Removing old spots is very complicated, so act fast!

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-Remove as much as possible by scraping, blotting and/or sponging. 

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-Always work spot from edges to middle

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-Call a professional! We will be happy to assist you with any questions you have, as well as direct you in how to try to remove the spot yourself! 

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Image by Gaelle Marcel
Dont's

DON'T do this

-NEVER use heat or hot water.  Heat can set the colors of the stain.

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-Never RUB the carpet, as it can fray the ends 

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-Never apply solvents directly to the spot.  Use in well vented rooms and away from spark. Wear rubber gloves

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-Don't use vinegar on COTTON

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-Don't use alcohol on acrylics

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-Don't use enzymes on wool or silk

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-Don't work on a spot if you don't know what it is or what to use, please call a professional, we want to help you! 

Anchor 1

BLOT

FLUSH

BLOT AGAIN

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Repeat if necessary.

 

If red wine, soak with WHITE WINE and flush.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Image by Mathilde Langevin

SCRAPE

BLOT

FLUSH

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Apply a 1 to 8 solution of ammonia and water

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RINSE

BLOT

BLOOD
Image by Diana Polekhina

APPLY ICE, AND SCRAPE

CHEWING GUM
Gumballs

BLOT

FLUSH

(If cream & sugar)

Follow with wet spotter

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RINSE

BLOT

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COFFEE, TEA
Coffee

SCRAPE

BLOT

Wipe with dry solvents

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BLOT

WET SPOTTER

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RINSE

BLOT

COSMETICS
Makeup Brushes

BLOT

FLUSH

BLOT 

FLUSH

blot

flush

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blot (LOTS OF WATER)

BLOT

KOOL-AID
Protein Drink Bottles

SCRAPE

BLOT

 

Wipe with rag treated with acetone (nail polish remover) 

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BLOT

NAIL POLISH
Nail Polish

SCRAPE

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Use Ice Cold Water when mixing wet spotter 

 

RINSE 

(cold water)

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BLOT

BL

EGG
Egg Delivery

BLOT

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Spray with HAIRSPRAY.

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BLOT

 

REPEAT

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INK
Image by Nicolas Thomas

SCRAPE

BLOT

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Apply coarse absorbent such as corn meal. Allow to set overnight. 

Vacuum in morning.

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If spot persists, wipe with solvent. If necessary, use wet-spotter, rinse & blot.

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GREASE/OIL/BUTTER
Image by Sorin Gheorghita

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Moisten with cold water. Squeeze on lemon juice.

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FLUSH

BLOT

RUST
Image by Julian Hochgesang

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SCRAPE​

BLOT

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Use wet-spotter

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RINSE

BLOT

PAINT/LATEX (OIL BASE)
Image by Taelynn Christopher

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BLOT​-FLUSH

BLOT-RINSE

BLOT

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SCRAPE

RINSE

BLOT

WET-SPOTTER

BLOT RINSE

PET SPOTS/URINE/FECES
Image by Krista Mangulsone
Alcoholic Beverages
Blood
Gum
Coffee/Tea
Cosmetics
Kool-Aid
Nail Polish
Egg
Ink
Grease
Rust
Paint/Latex
Pet Spots
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