Stain guide

It's important to deal to stains immediately. Before you do anything, make sure you have scraped up any solids and blotted up any excess liquid spills with paper towels.

 

Most common household stains can be removed by tipping a small amount of room temperature water on the spill and pressing on the spill using clean white paper towels, until there is no more transfer of the spill onto the paper towel. And remember – never rub wet carpet as this can damage the pile.

For other specific stains, simply cross reference the type of treatment with the stain in the table below. 

CLEANING SOLUTIONS

1. Room temperature water OR our Carpet Stain Remover for Wet Stains.
2. One teaspooon of wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar in one litre of warm water.
3. Clear household disinfectant
4. Our Dry Stain Remover. Use only on dry stains.
5. Chill with ice cubes in a plastic bag. Pick or scrape off solids.
6. Mix 1/3 cup of white vinegar with 2/3 cup of water.
7. Nail polish remover (should not contain lanolin)
8. Surgical alcohol
9. Place absorbent paper over wax or paper towel and apply hot iron to paper. Wax will melt and be absorbed by paper.
10. Vacuum clean
11. Mineral turpentine
12. Seek assistance from a professional carpet cleaner. 

STAIN TYPE	STEP 1	STEP 2	STEP 3
Beer & spirits	1	2
Bleach	1	12
Blood	1	2
Butter	4	2
Candle Wax	9	4
Chewing Gum	5	4
Chocolate	4	2
Coffee	1	6
Cola & soft drinks	1	2
Cooking oil	4	2
Cream	1	4
Egg	1	12
Faeces	1	3	12
Floor wax	4	1
Fruit juice	1	2
Furniture polish	4	1
Gravy & sauces	1	2
Ink - ballpoint	8	1
Ink - felt tip	4	1
Lipstick	4	2
Milk	1	4
Mustard	1	2
Nail polish	7	4
Oil & grease	4	2
Paint (oil based)	4
Paint (acrylic)	1	2
Rust	6	12
Salad dressing	1	4
Shoe polish	4	2
Soot	10	4
Tar	11	4
Tea	1	6
Tomato sauce	1	2	4
Urine (fresh)	1	2	3
Urine (old stain)	12
Vomit	1	3	6
Wine	1	6

* Based on advice from Wools of New Zealand