Maintenance and cleaning of your new floor are as important as selection and installation. Please use our maintenance guide to ensure years of pleasure and service from your floors.
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Carpet |
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Vinyl |
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Laminate |
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Ceramic |
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Wood |
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Emergency Stain Removal Guide |
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Water-Based Stains |
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Special Water-Based Stains |
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Greasy, Oil-based Stains |
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Most household spills and stains can be removed. For best results, always clean up spots and spills immediately. Locate your stain on the accompanying chart, and follow the cleaning steps until the stain is removed. |
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It is not unusual for stains to reappear after spot cleaning. This is referred to as “wicking.” Wicking can occur when a liquid is spilled on the carpet (usually a large quantity). Cleaning can remove only the stain from the carpet fibers. Liquids from spills can remain in the backing or padding. Through capillary action, the stain can “wick” back up into the carpet fibers. These stains are generally not permanent and can usually be removed by repeating the cleaning steps you followed above. It is important that you place paper towels weighed down by a heavy object over the area while the carpet is drying to absorb any of the remaining stain.
Spot stains can also be cleaned with Scotchgard™ Cleaner for Rugs & Carpet in the purple can available at retail locations near you. It’s great for removing tough stains and spots, and it leaves behind a soil resistant Scotchgard protection.
If you are unable to remove the stain yourself, and you want to have a professional clean your carpet, make sure they use the hot water extraction method for cleaning. And be sure to have them reapply Scotchgard protector to maintain maximum carpet appearance. |
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Water-Based Stains |
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| Alcohol |
Cola |
Grape Juice |
Soil Spots |
| Baby formula |
Cologne |
Graphite |
Syrup |
| Beer |
Cranberry juice |
Ice Cream |
Tomato juice |
| Blood |
Felt tip marker |
Jelly |
Vomit |
| Candy |
Food stains (general) |
Latex paint |
Water colors |
| Catsup |
Fruit juice |
Liquor |
Watermelon |
| Chocolate milk |
Fruit punch |
Milk |
Whiskey |
| Clay |
Furniture polish
(water-based) |
Soft drinks |
Wine |
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Step 1 |
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Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials. |
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For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading. |
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Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel. |
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Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently. |
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Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet. |
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Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers. |
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If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain. |
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Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse. |
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Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot. |
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Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed. |
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If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket. |
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Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries. |
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If stain remains, proceed to Step 2. |
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Step 2
Do NOT use on coffee, tea or urine stains.
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Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water. |
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Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1. |
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Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to Step 3 to neutralize the ammonia solution. |
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Step 3 |
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Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water. |
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Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1. |
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Special Water-Based Stains |
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Coffee
Tea
Urine |
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Step 1 |
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For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading. |
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• |
Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel. |
|
• |
Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently. |
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• |
Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet. |
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• |
Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers. |
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• |
If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain. |
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• |
Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse. |
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Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot. |
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Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed. |
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If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket. |
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Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries. |
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If stain remains, proceed to Step 2. |
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Step 2 |
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Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.
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Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1. |
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Greasy, Oil-based Stains |
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Step 1 |
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Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials. |
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For these stains, use a citrus solvent applied directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet. |
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Step 2 |
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For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading. |
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• |
Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel. |
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• |
Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently. |
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• |
Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet. |
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Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers. |
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If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain. |
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Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse. |
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Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot. |
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Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed. |
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If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket. |
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Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries. |
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If stain remains, proceed to Step 3. |
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Step 3
Do NOT use on coffee, tea or urine stains. |
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Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water. |
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Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1. |
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Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to Step 4 to neutralize the ammonia solution. |
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Step 4 |
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Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water. |
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Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1. |
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