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November
1999
For Immediate Release
When
Bad Things Happen to Good Carpet Good Advice for Treating
Stains
London.Most spills
on carpet respond easily to a quick cleanup, but extra care
must be taken for certain substances. As the preeminent authority
on carpet care and cleaning, the Scotchgard service center
is where many turn for help to maintain the beauty of their
carpets.
The service center offers these general tips
for any carpet spill:
- Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove large quantities
of liquid spills before spot cleaning
- Apply cleaning solutions to a clean, white
towel rather than directly to the carpet to avoid wetting
the carpet and leaving excessive detergent residue.
- Do not rub, scrub or use a brush since carpet
fibers could become permanently distorted.
- Work from the outside to the center of the
stain to prevent it from spreading.
According to the service center, KOOL-AID®
FRUIT JUICE and COLA are three of the most frequently reported
beverage stains. Here's how to beat them: You will need a
clean white cloth towel (or white, non-printed paper towels),
clear dishwashing liquid, a measuring cup, measuring spoons,
a bucket or bowl of lukewarm water and a small bowl for mixing
a solution.
Prepare detergent solution in the small
bowl by mixing ¼ teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid and
one cup of lukewarm water. Then follow these steps:
- Dip a white cloth towel (or paper towel)
in the solution and dampen the carpet fibers by blotting
the stained area. Turn the cloth frequently. Avoid saturating
the carpet. Always work from the outside of the stain to
the center to prevent spreading.
- Blot the stained area with clear, lukewarm
water to rinse detergent from carpet.
- Place dry white cloth towels (or paper towels)
over the stained area and apply pressure to absorb as much
moisture as possible.
- Repeat steps two and three until all traces
of the detergent have been removed. When the stain is gone,
place white paper towels over area weighted down by a heavy
colorfast object, such as phone books in a plastic wastebasket.
Change paper towels until carpet dries.
If the stain remains, follow these instructions:
- Prepare an ammonia solution and a
vinegar solution. NOTE: If you use the ammonia
solution you must also use the vinegar solution. For the
ammonia solution, mix two tablespoons of non-bleaching,
non-sudsing ammonia and one cup lukewarm water. In a separate
container, make a vinegar solution using one cup
white vinegar and two cups lukewarm water.
- Follow steps one to four with ammonia solution
as outlined above.
- Finally, repeat steps one to four using the
vinegar solution.
COFFEE is another prime offender. Follow
steps one through four (as in fruit juice or cola) with the
detergent solution. If the stain persists, use only the
vinegar solution, repeating steps one to four.
GREASE and LOTIONS require another
tactic. You will need a clean white cloth towel (or paper
towels), and a dry cleaning fluid such as Carbona or Energine
spot remover available in grocery, hardware or discount stores.
Follow the instructions on the product package taking extra
caution not to saturate the carpet as this may cause the backing
to separate.
If the stain remains, treat it as recommended
for apple juice or cola using the detergent solution and going
through steps one to three. If it still persists, proceed
with the ammonia solution and vinegar solution as outlined.
The trained professionals at the Scotchgard
service center can offer further advice is stains prove unusually
stubborn. The service center number is 1-800-433-3296. Or
access the 3M web site 24 hours a day at www.mmm.com/carpet
for carpet care information.
Contact 3M
Canada PR department.
3M and Scotchgard are trademarks of 3M. Used
under license in Canada.
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