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Cleaning will usually only partially
remove them and they may reappear. Putting down
paper and sealing the edges of the floor before
the carpet is laid may stop them happening.
Flood Damage - Water stains,
i.e. from burst pipes, should be treated professionally
and quickly if a lot of water has gone on the
carpet. Soak up as much water as you can but get
advice before pulling up a wet carpet, as it will
shrink while it dries.
N.B. Many terracotta plant pots are porous and
will slowly leak water.
Food - Remove any excess then
wipe with a cloth wrung out with mild detergent.
Ink - Blot up any excess. Indian
and other natural inks are very difficult to get
out of a carpet completely, but synthetic inks
i.e. as used in shoe polish, can be removed by
a solvent such as Dab It Off. For large stains
get professional advice. For ball-point pen marks
use a dry cloth and methylated spirits.
Mud - Let mud dry completely
then vacuum clean off.
Nail Varnish - use a non-oily nail varnish remover
or cellulose thinners and a dry cloth on superficial
stains. Get professional advice for larger marks.
Pet Stains - Animal urine is
often caustic and will permanently stain a carpet.
As with drink stains soak up as much as possible.
There are proprietary odour removers but professional
cleaning may be needed. For upholstery and curtains
dry cleaning is effective for removing smells.
Paint - Do not get it on the
carpet in the first place is the best advice.
Emulsion when wet should be rinsed off with water,
when dry it can be broken down (if superficial
stain) by rubbing with the blunt edge of a knife
and then vacuum cleaned off. Use white spirit
for gloss paint. If it is dry and superficial
it can be shaved of with a sharp knife though
be careful not to make holes in the carpet.
Rust - Put lemon juice on the
mark, leave for a minute then rinse off with water,
repeat if necessary. If this is unsuccessful professional
cleaning will normally remove rust.
Tar/Soot/Oil - Remove stain
with a spirit based cleaner such as Beaucare or
Dabitoff, according to instructions. Do not use
water. Vacuum soot first.
Tea/Coffee/Drinks - Mop up as
much as possible using a paper towel or absorbent
cloth. You can add a little water and soak up
again with cloths until the colour is gone. A
cloth wrung out in mild detergent or methylated
spirits dabbed with a dry cloth may loosen up
any residue left.
Red Wine - As with other drinks
blot up as much as possible with a paper towel
or dry cloth. Sprinkle white wine (its acidity
helps neutralise the stain) or water onto the
stain and blot again. Remove remaining stain with
methylated spirits and a dry cloth.
Upholstery
Spot clean upholstery very cautiously as it is
easy to make watermarks, particularly on cotton
and linen fabrics.
As with carpets, try to blot up any excess with
kitchen towel or a cloth. A cloth well wrung out
in mild detergent can be used to wipe up sticky
stains but be careful not to get the fabric damp.
Do not use water on silk or cotton velvet. Only
wash loose covers if the manufacturers instructions
recommend it. | 
