Carpet Maintenance

Upholstery Maintenance

Tips for Spot Removal

Spot Removal Techniques

Despite great care, food, beverage and pet accidents happen. Your best defense against permanent stains is by protecting your carpet and upholstery with 3M Scotchgard.

If a stain does penetrate through this protective coating and you have received our Scotchgard warranty call 3M before attempting to remove the stain on your own.

If you have not received Scotchgard protection use the free bottle of spot remover that we have given you, but make sure that you follow the following tips to ensure the best cleaning method possible.

Remember: The spot removal technique is more important than the cleaning chemicals used. Here are some important techniques to use when attempting to remove a stain:

• Gently scrape up solids with a spoon, working from the outside of the spot toward the center to prevent spreading.
  
  
• Blot the spotted area with a dry white towel or paper towels. Continue blotting the area by pressing firmly with a clean portion of the towel until there is no further transfer from the spot. Then begin use spot remover chemicals. NOTE: Do not scrub stains. Scrubbing action can damage the fabric and spread the stain. Use blotting action.
  
  
• Never soak upholstery. Over-wetting with cleaning solution or water will make effective cleaning difficult. Messy spills will spread, and soiled water will seep deep into the fabric, cushions and wood frame.
  
  
• Test for colour fastness: Never pour cleaning solution directly on a spot or spill. Put solution on a white towel and in an inconspicuous area, apply with a blotting action to the upholstery before attempting to remove the spot. If colour from the fabric transfers to the towel, do not attempt to remove the spot. Call a professional NuLook technician for help.
  
  
• Finding the colour to be fast, continue blotting with the spotting solution as mentioned above.
  
  As long as the colour of the stain is trasferring to the towel, you are "moving" the spot. Keep at it patiently. However, if the spill will not come out at all-do not persist.
  
  Trying many different chemicals will probably make it worse, or create a permanent stain. If you need help call a professional NuLook technician; we have been traind to remove all types of stains.

  When accidents happen, quick attention is imparative. Follow the chart below for best results. Most reputable textile companies assign universal cleaning codes to their carpet and upholstery fabrics. These codes are usually found on a label under the cushion of your piece of upholstery or on a hang tag, and will be abbreviated in one of the following ways. Check these codes before cleaning.

WS	Can be cleaned with dry foam and water-based cleaning agents. May also be cleaned with dry cleaning solvents.
W	Dry Foam or water-based cleaning agents may be used for cleaning.
S	Dry clean only. (This code is used very often as an "easy answer". If fabric passes the color-fastness test described earlier, it is safe for dry foam cleaning.)
X	Damp-dust monthly with a solution of warm water and neutral detergent, such as mild dishwashing liquid.
V	Vacuum or brush lightly to remove soil. Consult a professional for cleaning.
STAINS PROCEDURE Beer, Liquor C Blood G Butter A Candy D Catsup B Chewing Gum F Chocolate D Coffee C Crayon A Egg B Excrement B Food Color B Fruit Juices D Furniture Polish A Furniture Polish (w/Stain) A,P Gravy D Glue (Model Cement) H Glue (White) B Hair Spray A Hand Lotion A Ice Cream D Ink (Ballpoint) A STAINS PROCEDURE Ink (Marking pen) A Lipstick A Oil (Cooking) A Oil (Furniture) A Mascara A Mayonnaise B Merthiolate D Milk D Nail Polish H Paint (Latex) E Paint (Oil Base) A,P Rust P Shoe Polish (Liquid) A,P Shoe Polish (Paste) A Soft Drinks D Tar A Tea C Urine D or P Water Colors E Wax Candle F Wine D
PROCEDURE SEQUENCES Use these procedures only after as much as the material as possible has been removed by blotting or scooping up the excess. A Apply Solvent / Blot / Detergent / Blot / Water / Blot B Detergent / Blot / Ammonia / Blot / Detergent / Blot / Water / Blot C Detergent / Blot / Vinegar / Blot / Detergent / Blot / Water / Blot D Detergent / Blot / Ammonia / Blot / Vinegar / Blot / Detergent / Blot / Water / Blot E Detergent / Blot / Ammonia / Blot / Water / Blot / Solvent / Blot F Freeze with Ice Cube / Shatter with Blunt Object / Vacuum Out Chips / Solvent / Blot / Or, for wax place paper towel or bag over wax, iron with warm (not hot) iron to absorb G Cool Water / Blot / Ammonia / Blot / Detergent / Blot / Ammonia / Blot / Water / Blot H Polish Remover (not oily) / Blot / Repeat  I Consult a professional NuLook Technician

Cleaning Formulas

• Detergent: Mix one teaspoon of mild hand dishwashing detergent without skin conditioner into a cup of lukewarm water.
  
  
• Solvent: If you have the free spot remover provided by NuLook it may be used for this type of stain. If you are not a past customer you can use any commercial brand cleaning solvent commonly available in supermarkets or hardware stores. Do not use any type of fingernail polish remover. For oil based paints, check label for specific thinners.
  
  
• Vinegar Solution: Mix one-third cup of white vinegar with two-thirds cup of water.
  
  
• Ammonia Solution: Mix one tablespoon of clean household ammonia with one-half cup of water.