Surface Cleaning Tips
Caution: Do not try to clean surfaces that are made of pressed paper, cardboard, or any surface that
is painted with a non-enamel paint.
Carpets, stain resistant
Use the same techniques as for other types of carpets, except only low pressure should be used. Move
quickly.
Caution:
The chemical used to make carpet stain resistant can be removed from the fibers by temperatures
over 180°. However, if the carpet is heavily soiled the stain resistance is already gone and the carpet may
need to be retreated after the cleaning has been finished.
Carpets, pure wool or Persian
Caution:
These carpets often do not have colorfast dyes. Do not get them wet without testing them first.
Vacuum first. Hold the nozzle approximately two to four inches above the surface. Spray about ten square
feet at a time with high pressure from the side with light and quick movements from side-to side, lengthwise
and crosswise. Hold a towel so as to catch all dirt and stain particles as they are blown out of the carpet. Be
careful not to get the nozzle closer then two inches from the fibers. Trim off vapor and brush carpet with a
dry towel to fluff up fibers evenly. Using a good vacuum cleaner at this point can also bring the nap back
up.
Spot clean wool or oriental carpets only with a cold water gentle detergent and cold water. Blot dry with a
clean towel.
Removing Deep Stains from Carpets- Coffee, Gravy, Fruit Juice
First try to determine if the stain has a “reservoir” under the padding that can cause the stain to reappear
again and again. If the stain has a reservoir, the reservoir should be dried out before the surface stain can be
permanently removed. This can be done with any good agent such as talcum powder, a mixture of corn
starch and cornmeal or even a clean unscented, uncolored cat litter. Press, do not rub, the drying agent into
the fibers around the stain and let sit for twenty minutes. Next, vacuum out the mixture. Carefully brush
off any remaining residue before going on with the cleaning. Next, determine the type of stain: protein
based, oil-based or water related.
For protein stains (milk, broth, etc.), apply a stain remover and warm the area with vapor from 2 inches
away. Wait 20- 30 minutes and clean in the usual manner.
