CARPET & TEXTILE SPOTTING MANUAL© COPYRIGHT BY JAMES B. SMITH ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

I. DEFINITIONS Definitions from the S CLEANING STANDARD says this about spots and stains: Page 37 spot - The result of a material adding substance or texture to a fabric or surface. Usually the terms "spot" and "stain" are used interchangeably in a non-technical context. spotting - The process of treating isolated spots and stains, that do not respond to normal cleaning with, specifically formulated agents. stain - the result in a material adding color (without texture) to a fabric or surface, in a non- technical context. The term "stain" is often applied to discoloration, or color removal from fabrics, as well. Consumer responsibility for spots and stains in the S CLEANING STANDARD says this: 3. Immediate Spotting - Most spots can be removed easily if the excess is lifted or blotted and treated immediately by carpet owners with plain water, or with spotters containing mild (pH range of 5 to 9), dilute detergents that do not leave residue. If ignored those spots, or components thereof, may bond with fiber dye sites, forming permanent stains. Immediate spotting is an essential responsibility for home and business owners/managers. Concerning what the consumer can expect from the cleaner is says this on page 8: g. Special attention to spots and stains must be included in normal job performance. However, time consuming specialized spotting of quantities of spilled materials or prolonged effort on color- added spots may incur an additional charge. Customers should be advised of additional charges before extensive spotting procedures are undertaken.

Rules for Spotting. APPEARANCE - Spots that are lighter than the surrounding unaffected area are the result of color loss. Spots that are darker than the surrounding unaffected areas are the result of something added. Spots that end-up changing in different light and diminish or disappear in direct intense light are the result of texture variations, usually from over aggressive mechanical action.. HEALTH & SAFETY - Protect yourself with gloves, face mask, and respirator when using dangerous chemicals. Dangerous chemicals such as Erusticator, and strippers, and some solvents should be rinsed out completely after using.. CHEMICALS - Physically remove as must excess of the spot as possible before adding chemicals. VDS is the first chemical to use on an unknown spot. Strong oxidizers, strippers are the last chemicals to use.. APPLICATION - Do not distort the texture of the fiber. Tap and blot, do not brush and rub. Work from the outside of the spot to the inside. Blot up excessive usage of chemicals. Wait to evaluate the results.

SPOTTING KIT CHECK LIST

PRE-INSPECTION & IDENTIFICATION

A.The third step comes from TOUCH. Categories for touch are as follows: crusty, hard, soft, tacky, oily, wet, and waxy. B.The fourth step comes from SMELL. This may be the best instrument for identification, but it is subjective too. Also, caution should be given concerning inhaling toxins from chemicals and bacteria. C.pH is important when a spot does not respond to solvents. pH reading from an electronic instrument will likely be less than those taken from paper or strips. This is so because moisture on paper or strips will ultimately measure the dry pH while pH Pens measure a diluted pH at the time of the reading.

CHOCOLATE. Remove as much excess as possible. Apply alkaline-enzyme type preconditioner. Extract with acidic rinsing agent. Repeat if necessary. Blot COCKTAILS. Apply tannin spotter Extract Coffee Method 1. Apply tannin spotter. Extract Method 2 - more aggressive. Apply sodium meta-bisulfite. Blot or extract  If cream is present, pretreatment with enzyme may be necessary Alkalinizes may set stain in wool and silk

EGG (Raw). Remove as much excess as possible. Apply cool alkaline enzyme spotter and wait. Rinse with water Dry COUGH SYRUP. Apply alkaline preconditioner. Rinse with acidic rinsing solution. Apply enzyme spotter Rinse CRAYONS. Apply solvent base product. Blot Extract with detergent

FOOD COLORING/DYE Heat transfer method. Apply ammonium hydroxide or formulated product to affected area. Lay wet white cotton towel on top of affected area. Place steam iron with water set barely in steam mode on top of towel for 45 to 90 seconds. Repeat as necessary Steam Gun Method. Apply ammonium hydroxide or formulated product to affected area. Apply live steam to the affected area. Extract with hottest water possible Reduction method. Apply sodium hydrosulfite solution to affected area. Accelerate with Tannin Spotter. Neutralize by rinsing with just water and then a mild oxygen bleach. Blot dry. Professional spot dye will likely be necessary

FRUIT JUICE. Apply alkaline preconditioner. Rinse with acidic rinsing solution. If stain remains; Apply enzyme spotter Rinse

GLUE. Apply amyl acetate, blot or rinse with an extractor. Repeat as necessary GRASS. Apply amyl acetate, blot. Apply enzyme detergent GRAVY. Apply alkaline-enzyme type preconditioner. Extract with acidic rinsing agent Repeat if necessary

FURNITURE STAIN Heat transfer method. Apply POG & blot. Apply ammonium hydroxide or formulated product to affected area. Lay wet white cotton towel on top of affected area. Place steam iron with water set barley in steam mode on top of towel for 45 to 90 seconds. Repeat as necessary Steam Gun Method. Apply POG & blot. Apply ammonium hydroxide or formulated product to affected area. Apply live steam to the affected area. Extract with hottest water possible Reduction method. Apply POG & blot. Apply sodium hydrosulfite solution to affected area. Accelerate with Tannin Spotter. Neutralize by rinsing with just water or mild oxygen bleach. Blot dry

JAM & JELLY. Apply alkaline-enzyme type preconditioner. Extract with acidic rinsing agent. Repeat if necessary LIPSTICK. Apply amyl acetate or solvent based product & blot. Repeat as necessary. If stain persists, then apply alkaline preconditioner. Rinse with acidic rinsing agent MERCUROCHROME. Apply alkaline-enzyme type preconditioner. Extract with acidic rinsing agent. Repeat as necessary. If stain persists, then apply Sodium Meta-Bisulfite Solution. Rinse

MERTHIOLATE. Apply bleach neutralizer solution such as sodium thio- sulfite. Blot dry MILDEW. Apply alkaline-enzyme type preconditioner. Rinse. Repeat as necessary. If stain persists, then apply Oxygen Bleach Solution, such as 3% hydrogen peroxide. Blot or Rinse MILK. Remove as much excess as possible. Apply cool alkaline enzyme spotter and wait. Rinse with acidic Rinsing Solution. If stain persists, then apply solvent based product & blot

MUCILAGE. Remove as much excess as possible. Apply alkaline enzyme spotter and wait. Rinse or blot dry MUSTARD Method 1. Remove as much excess as possible. Apply neutral pH detergent solution. Rinse with acidic rinsing solution. Apply enzyme detergent solution, with low pH. If stain persists, apply rust remover or 3% hydrogen peroxide to stain, but not both. A dangerous chemical reaction may occur if you do!  Do not apply any alkaline chemicals to this stain Method 2. Apply a professional spotter design for removing mustard. Rinse or blot

NAIL POLISH. Remove as much excess as possible. Apply amyl acetate or solvent base product & blot. Repeat as necessary. If stain persists, then apply alkaline preconditioner. Rinse with acidic rinsing agent OILS. Apply solvent based product & blot. Repeat as necessary. If stain persists, then apply alkaline preconditioner. Rinse with acidic rinsing agent

URINE. Apply enzyme/bacteria type deodorizer as per manufacturer instructions. Rinse. Apply ammonium hydroxide solution & blot. Apply tannin spotter & blot, phosphoric acid may work the best. Rinse completely. If stain persists, apply rust remover or 3% hydrogen peroxide to stain, but not both. A dangerous chemical reaction may occur if you do!  Heat and alkalinity may set some stains especially on wool VOMIT. Remove as much excess as possible. Apply alkaline-enzyme type preconditioner. Extract with acidic rinsing agent. Repeat if necessary WINE. Apply neutral pH detergent solution. Rinse with acidic rinsing solution. Apply alkaline enzyme detergent solution. If stain persists, apply rust remover or 3% hydrogen peroxide to stain, but not both. A dangerous chemical reaction may occur if you do!