Spotting Guide
NOTE: The products mentioned in this guide can all be purchased in our online store
Tab 1: General Instructions
Tab 2: Spots and Stains
Tab 1: General Instructions
If a spot or stain can be identified, start with the recommended products for the spot or stain.
If a spot or stain can’t be identified, try Spot-N-Boost first. If there isn’t any transfer to your spotting towel try PIG-Out next.
When more than one spotting agent is suggested, they are listed in order of preference.
Before using any product, be sure to read its label for complete mixing and use instructions.
Blot liquids with a dry, white, absorbent towel.
Pretest any spotting agent in an inconspicuous area to make certain it won’t damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white towel on the area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and towel for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.
Work from the edges of spot or spill to the center to prevent it from spreading.
Do not scrub! Blot and absorb as much as possible. Repeat if necessary.
Continue using the first listed spotting agent as long as there is a transfer to your spotting towel. It is not necessary to use all of the listed cleaning agents if the first one removes the spot or stain.
Be patient! Complete removal of the spot or stain may require repeating the same steps several times.
As a last step to removing stains caused by sugary, sticky or soapy substances, apply HALT to greatly reduce the possibility of the stain reappearing later on.
Tab 2: Spots and Stains
Acne Medication
Extract or blot excess.
Apply Hel-Gel ORANGE to fibers only; be careful not to get the Hel-Gel into the carpet backing or delamination could occur.
Give 1 or 2 minutes dwell time.
Apply Spot-N-Boost.
Extract or blot dry with a clean white absorbent towel.
If the medication has caused bleaching spot dying may be necessary.
Adhesive – Glue
Scrape off excess.
Apply Hel-Gel ORANGE or PIG Out.
Agitate.
Extract or blot dry with a clean white absorbent towel.
Repeat as necessary.
Alcohol Beverages
Extract or blot excess.
Apply Spot-N-Boost and extract or blot dry with a clean white absorbent towel.
Asphalt – Creosote – Driveway Sealer – Tar – Toner
Encircle the Spot with a barrier of Spot-N-Boost or any VacAway cleaning solution to keep from spreading during the next steps.
Apply Hel-Gel ORANGE, PIG Out or Spot-N-Boost.
Agitate.
Extract or blot dry with a clean white absorbent towel.
Repeat if necessary.
Beets – Berries – Betadine – Ketchup – Chalk – Cheese – Chocolate – Red Clay – Coffee – Colas – Correction Fluid – Eggs – Feces – Fertilizer – Gelatin – Grass – Gravy -Hair Dye – Hand Creme – Highlight Markers – Honey – Ice Creme – Iodine – Jam or Jelly – Most Medicines – Merthiolate – Milk – Mildew – Mold – Plant Food – Potting Soil – Pumpkin – Sauces – Spackling – Starch – Sugar – Syrups – Tannin Stains – Tea – Tobacco Stains – Toilet Bowl Cleaner – Vomit – Water Colors – Wine
Scrape, extract or blot excess.
Apply Spot-N-Boost.
Agitate.
Extract or blot dry with a clean white absorbent towel.
If stain remains apply Oxi-Moxie, Problem-B-Gone or Red Vanish according to directions.
Blood
Apply Spot-N-Boost.
Agitate.
Extract or blot.
If stain remains apply Rust Assassin.
Butter – Cooking Oils – Fats – Margarine
Apply Spot-N-Boost, PIG-OUT or Hel-Gel ORANGE.
Agitate.
Extract or blot with a clean white absorbent towel.
Candle Wax
Scrape off excess. Cover with a white terry cloth towel or absorbent paper grocery bag (use side without writing or logo.)
Place an iron, low to med setting, on top of the absorbent material to melt the wax into the material (never use this procedure on wool. Use low heat to prevent melting the fibers on olefin.)
Agitate.
Extract or blot with a clean white absorbent towel.
If a tinge of color remains apply Oxi-Moxie, Problem-B-Gone or Red Vanish according to directions.
Carbon – Copier Toner -Fingerprint Dust – Graphite – Soot
Try NOT to get these materials wet until you VACUUM extremely well.
Apply Spot-N-Boost.
Agitate.
Extract or blot dry with a clean white absorbent towel. If stain remains apply Oxi-Moxie, Problem-B-Gone or Red Vanish according to directions.
Chewing Gum
To allow product penetration, cut criss crosses into gum deposit or punch holes in it with an awl, nail, etc.
Apply Hel-Gel ORANGE to all sides of the gum making sure it gets into all areas where gum is in contact with the fibers.
Allow 1 – 5 minutes dwell time.
Scrape with blunt object to remove gum.
Repeat as necessary until excess is removed.
Apply PIG Out or Spot-N-Boost to remove any residual gum.
Extract or blot dry with a clean white absorbent towel.
Colored Stains
Apply Problem-B-Gone, Red Vanish or Oxi-Moxie according to directions.
Agitate.
Extract or blot dry with a clean white absorbent towel.
Cosmetics – Crayon – Lipstick – Nail Polish
Apply PIG-Out, Spot-N-Boost or Hel-Gel ORANGE.
Agitate.
Extract or blot dry with a clean white absorbent towel.
If a tinge of color remains apply Oxi-Moxie, Problem-B-Gone or Red Vanish according to directions.
Drywall – Plaster
Scrape and vacuum excess.
Apply Spot-N-Boost.
Extract or blot dry with a clean white absorbent towel.
Filtration Lines – Polution Stains
Dry vacuum very thoroughly.
Apply Spot-N-Boost.
Agitate.
Extract or blot dry with a clean white absorbent towel.
Repeat as necessary.
NOTE: These are the black or darkened areas along the baseboard, under closed doors, around furnace vents, along the sides of staircases, etc.
This is caused by air movement where extremely fine soil is deposited on the fibers as the air moves under walls, closed doors, etc. The polluted air can be from a number of sources including candles, cigarette/cigar smoke, kerosene heaters, etc .
Furniture Polish
Apply PIG-Out followed by Spot-N-Boost.
If a tinge of color remains apply Problem-B-Gone, Red Vanish or Oxi-Moxie. Cover with plastic to allow slow drying.
Furniture Stains
Apply PIG-Out or Spot-N-Boost.
Agitate and blot dry with a clean white towel.
If stain remains, apply Problem-B-Gone, and cover with plastic to retard drying time.
Process could take up to 12 hours to remove the stain. For difficult stains, repeat as necessary with a fresh solution of Problem-B-Gone.
Ink