Stain Removal Tips

Actual stained carpet cleaned
by a Chem-Dry Professional

Act Quickly - Time is of the Essence.  Spills and stains should be dealt with  immediately. The longer a spot remains, the more difficult it will be to remove. Most stains that are allowed to dry overnight will become more difficult to remove. This also applies to hot tea and especially coffee, as they become heat set. So whenever possible always deal with any stains as soon as they happen.

Know what kind of stain you are working on as well as the type of fabric or surface it is on so you can choose the best product. View the list below to see which product to use for water or oil based spots.

Blot up spills with clean, white, absorbent slightly damp material (towels, napkins, tissues, etc.).  Do not use clothes with colors in it, as the dyes may transfer to the carpeting when you are trying to absorb the staining material.  Always work from the outside of the stained area towards the middle of the stain.  This will ensure that you do not spread the staining material any further.

Always blot the area with a towel - Do not rub or brush the stain.  Doing so can damage the carpet fibers or your upholstered materials.  Remember to work from the outer edge of the spot towards the centre to prevent rings or spreading of the staining material.

Test all fabrics and carpets before cleaning by spraying a small amount of Chem-Dry Professional Strength Spot Remover or Chem-Dry Grease & Oil Remover on a hidden area (under a sofa cushion, on an area of carpet under or behind a piece of furniture.), blot gently with a clean dry and observe for 10 minutes. Make sure there is not carpet color removal onto the cloth and that, when dry, there is not a visible discoloration in the area you cleaned.

Do not over wet. Use small amounts of the spot removal agents and blot frequently. Let the solution dwell on the stain for 30-60 seconds before you try to remove it by blotting.  The solution needs time to break down the stain for easier removal.

Work from the outside edge of the stain to the inside to keep the stain from spreading.

Remove solid built-up materials with a rounded tablespoon, spatula, or the edge of a dull knife.  Do not get too aggressive with the removal process as you may damage the carpet fibers.  again, work from the outside of the stained area towards the middle of the stain.

Rinse.  The final step is always to gently rinse the area with water, then absorb all the remaining moisture with absorbent towels.  Do not skip this step as over-damp or wet carpets can start a whole new set of problem by promoting mold and fungi growth if left to wet for too long.

Be patient. Some stains respond slowly. All spots and stains cannot be removed from every fabric due to differences in fibers, dyes, constructions, finishes, composition of the stain, length of time the stain has remained on the article, etc. Some stains require professional treatment.  We understand that you want to fix the problem yourself in order to save money, but sometimes the "first loss if the smallest"...Call a Chem-Dry professional before you damage your carpet or upholstery investment!