Tips

Carpet Care and Maintenance
The carpet in your home is a big investment that you want to always look its best and certainly to last as long as possible. Following these few simple steps can really aid in keeping up the life and look of your carpet.

  • Frequent Vacuuming
  • Using Door Mats
  • Immediate Spot Treatment
  • Professional Cleaning

First of all, frequent vacuuming is the key to good-looking carpet. This is especially helpful in high traffic areas because it keeps the dirt from working itself down into the carpet. Placing mats at entrances can help reduce the amount of dirt that is tracked inside onto the carpet.

Cleaning up spills immediately after they happen is also very important. You can use the Spot Treatment guide that we have provided to assist you in getting out stains. If you are unsuccessful after using our tips, be sure to call QCare right away! The best chance of getting out a stain lies in the first 48 hours of its occurrence.

Our third suggestion is to have your carpets cleaned by a carpet care professional every 6-18 months depending on several factors including children, pets, smoking and general soiling. Some carpet manufacturers even require that you have your carpets professionally cleaned or the warranty is voided.

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Basic Food and Beverage
You will need:

  • 1 teaspoon of mild detergent, like a non-bleach laundry detergent or Spot Out, our professional strength low-residue stain remover
  • 1 quart of warm water
  • A clean white cloth or paper towel

Cleaning Procedures:

  1. Immediately scoop up as much of the spill as you can. If it is a solid material, try to scrape up as much as possible with a spatula or spoon. BLOT to remove as much moisture as possible. DO NOT RUB.
  2. Apply warm, not hot, water to the stained area. Blot with the clean white cloth or paper towel. Press down firmly to make sure most of the moisture is removed. Again, DO NOT RUB. Repeat this step until there is no evidence of the stain on the cloth or towel.
  3. If the stain is still on the carpet, combine warm water and the mild detergent (1quart to 1tsp) or use Spot Out and apply enough to cover the solution. Let soak for a few minutes. Blot up excess moisture.
  4. Rinse with warm water until all of the detergent is removed. Using the white cloth or paper towel, blot away the extra moisture.
  5. Absorb the rest of the moisture by placing multiple layers of white paper towels, weighted down overnight with a glass or ceramic object that won't further stain the carpet.
  6. After all of the moisture has been removed, vacuum or brush pile to restore carpet texture.

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Basic Food and Beverage Spills
You will need:

  • 1 teaspoon of mild detergent, like a non-bleach laundry detergent or Spot Out, our professional strength low-residue stain remover
  • 1 quart of warm water
  • A clean white cloth or paper towel

Cleaning Procedures:

  1. Immediately scoop up as much of the spill as you can. If it is a solid material, try to scrape up as much as possible with a spatula or spoon. BLOT to remove as much moisture as possible. DO NOT RUB.
  2. Apply warm, not hot, water to the stained area. Blot with the clean white cloth or paper towel. Press down firmly to make sure most of the moisture is removed. Again, DO NOT RUB. Repeat this step until there is no evidence of the stain on the cloth or towel.
  3. If the stain is still on the carpet, combine warm water and the mild detergent (1quart to 1tsp) or use Spot Out and apply enough to cover the solution. Let soak for a few minutes. Blot up excess moisture.
  4. Rinse with warm water until all of the detergent is removed. Using the white cloth or paper towel, blot away the extra moisture.
  5. Absorb the rest of the moisture by placing multiple layers of white paper towels, weighted down overnight with a glass or ceramic object that won't further stain the carpet.
  6. After all of the moisture has been removed, vacuum or brush pile to restore carpet texture.

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Cleaning Tips Recommended for: Asphalt, Crayon, Furniture Polish/Stain, Grease, Hair Oils, Ink**, Lotion, Lipstick, Machine Oil, Makeup, Paint (Latex), Shoe Polish, Tar, Varnish, Petroleum Jelly

  1. Immediately scoop up as much of the spill as you can. If it is a solid material, try to scrape up as much as possible with a spatula or spoon. BLOT to remove as much moisture as possible. DO NOT RUB. Apply a dry cleaning solvent (available in the cleaning aisle of your grocery store). Be sure to follow all directions on the label of the cleaner.
  2. Apply warm, not hot, water to the stained area. Blot with the clean white cloth or paper towel. Press down firmly to make sure most of the moisture is removed. Again, DO NOT RUB. Repeat this step until there is no evidence of the stain on the cloth or towel.
  3. If the stain is still on the carpet, combine warm water and the mild detergent (1 quart to 1 tsp.) ad then apply enough to cover the solution. Let soak for a few minutes. Blot up excess moisture.
  4. Rinse with warm water until all of the detergent is removed. Using the white cloth or paper towel, blot away the extra moisture.
  5. Absorb the rest of the moisture by placing multiple layers of white paper towels, weighted down overnight with a glass or ceramic object that won't further stain the carpet.
  6. After all of the moisture has been removed, vacuum or brush pile to restore carpet texture.

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Cleaning Tips Recommended for: Blood, Toothpaste, White Glue

  1. Immediately scoop up as much of the spill as you can. If it is a solid material, try to scrape up as much as possible with a spatula or spoon. BLOT to remove as much moisture as possible. DO NOT RUB.
  2. Apply warm, not hot, water to the stained area. Blot with the clean white cloth or paper towel. Press down firmly to make sure most of the moisture is removed. Again, DO NOT RUB. Repeat this step until there is no evidence of the stain on the cloth or towel.
  3. If the stain is still on the carpet, combine warm water and the mild detergent (1quart to 1tsp.) ad then apply enough to cover the solution. Let soak for a few minutes.
  4. Apply a solution of white (clear), non-suds ammonia (2tbsp ammonia to 1qt water). Blot with the clean white cloth or paper towel.
  5. Repeat step 3.
  6. Rinse with warm water until all of the detergent is removed. Using the white cloth or paper towel, blot away the extra moisture.
  7. Absorb the rest of the moisture by placing multiple layers of white paper towels, weighted down overnight with a glass or ceramic object that won't further stain the carpet.
  8. After all of the moisture has been removed, vacuum or brush pile to restore carpet texture.

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Cleaning Tips Recommended for: Rust, Urine/Feces

  1. Immediately scoop up as much of the spill as you can. If it is a solid material, try to scrape up as much as possible with a spatula or spoon. BLOT to remove as much moisture as possible. DO NOT RUB.
  2. Apply warm, not hot, water to the stained area. Blot with the clean white cloth or paper towel. Press down firmly to make sure most of the moisture is removed. Again, DO NOT RUB. Repeat this step until there is no evidence of the stain on the cloth or towel.
  3. If the stain is still on the carpet, combine warm water and the mild detergent (1quart to 1tsp.) ad then apply enough to cover the solution. Let soak for a few minutes.
  4. Blot up excess moisture. Using the white cloth or paper towel, blot away the extra moisture. Rinse with warm water until all of the detergent is removed.
  5. Apply a solution of white (clear) vinegar (2 tbsp vinegar to 1 qt water). Blot with the clean white cloth or paper towel.
  6. Repeat steps 3 and 4.
  7. Absorb the rest of the moisture by placing multiple layers of white paper towels, weighted down overnight with a glass or ceramic object that won't further stain the carpet.
  8. After all of the moisture has been removed, vacuum or brush pile to restore carpet texture.

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Cough Syrup

  1. Immediately scoop up as much of the spill as you can. If it is a solid material, try to scrape up as much as possible with a spatula or spoon. BLOT to remove as much moisture as possible. DO NOT RUB.
  2. Apply warm, not hot, water to the stained area. Blot with the clean white cloth or paper towel. Press down firmly to make sure most of the moisture is removed. Again, DO NOT RUB. Repeat this step until there is no evidence of the stain on the cloth or towel.
  3. If the stain is still on the carpet, combine warm water and the mild detergent (1quart to 1tsp.) ad then apply enough to cover the solution. Let soak for a few minutes.
  4. Apply a solution of white (clear) vinegar (2 tbsp vinegar to 1 qt water). Blot with the clean white cloth or paper towel.
  5. Apply a solution of white (clear), non-suds ammonia (2tbsp ammonia to 1qt water). Blot with the clean white cloth or paper towel.
  6. Repeat step 3.
  7. Rinse with warm water until all of the detergent is removed. Using the white cloth or paper towel, blot away the extra moisture.
  8. Absorb the rest of the moisture by placing multiple layers of white paper towels, weighted down overnight with a glass or ceramic object that won't further stain the carpet.
  9. After all of the moisture has been removed, vacuum or brush pile to restore carpet texture.

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Chewing Gum

  1. Freeze gum with ice cubes. Shatter into pieces with a blunt object. Pick up and discard as much as possible and vacuum up the rest.
  2. If the stain is still on the carpet, combine warm water and the mild detergent (1quart to 1tsp.) ad then apply enough to cover the solution. Let soak for a few minutes. Blot up excess moisture.
  3. Rinse with warm water until all of the detergent is removed. Using the white cloth or paper towel, blot away the extra moisture.
  4. Absorb the rest of the moisture by placing multiple layers of white paper towels, weighted down overnight with a glass or ceramic object that won't further stain the carpet.
  5. After all of the moisture has been removed, vacuum or brush pile to restore carpet texture.

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Nail Polish

  1. Wipe up as much of the spill as possible. Test nail polish remover (without lanolin) in an inconspicuous to make sure it doesn't remove color from the carpet. Apply remover with an eyedropper. Repeat until the stain is removed.

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Cleaning Tips Recommended for: Dye, Flea/Tick Powder or Spray, Fungicide, Iodine, Plant Food, Soot, Toilet Cleaner, Vomit

  1. Immediately scoop up as much of the spill as you can. If it is a solid material, try to scrape up as much as possible with a spatula or spoon. BLOT to remove as much moisture as possible. DO NOT RUB.
  2. Apply warm, not hot, water to the stained area. Blot with the clean white cloth or paper towel. Press down firmly to make sure most of the moisture is removed. Again, DO NOT RUB. Repeat this step until there is no evidence of the stain on the cloth or towel.
  3. If the stain is still on the carpet, combine warm water and the mild detergent (1quart to 1tsp.) ad then apply enough to cover the solution. Let soak for a few minutes. Blot up excess moisture.
  4. Rinse with warm water until all of the detergent is removed. Using the white cloth or paper towel, blot away the extra moisture.
  5. Apply a dry cleaning solvent (available in the cleaning aisle of your grocery store).
  6. Follow steps 3 and 4.
  7. Absorb the rest of the moisture by placing multiple layers of white paper towels, weighted down overnight with a glass or ceramic object that won't further stain the carpet.
  8. After all of the moisture has been removed, vacuum or brush pile to restore carpet texture.

Note: If these procedures do not successfully remove the stain, contact QCare, your carpet care professionals at (770) 594-1836

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