Do-It-Yourself Spot Cleaning

Children, pets, parties and other things can create accidents on your carpets and rugs. It is wise to clean them and remove any spots as quickly as possible to prevent stains. We have found that many people will use products purchased from the store to try and remove these accideents. We do not recommend that approach for the following reason. Consumers tend to assume that if a little bit of something works well, than a whole lot of it should work even better. This philosophy is bad in the spot cleaning world. The reason is that store bought cleaners will leave a residue. The amount of residue left is based on how much cleaning product was applied to the spot and how good of a job the consumer did removing the cleaner after application. The problem is that the residue left on the carpet (or rug) will then attract dirt (see picture above).

So, what do you do? First, removal of the initial insult is top of the list. For liquid spills, use a dry clean white cloth or towell. Put it on the spill and apply pressure. The liquid will migrate from the carpet or rug onto the towel. Keep moving the towel so a dry area is over the spill and keep this up until no more liquid is transferred to the towel. For any solid particles, scrap them off with a spoon or dull object.

If a spot is still visible, we recommend starting with clean water first. If the water does not work, try either 1 teaspoon of a neutral detergent with 1/2 pint of lukewarm water (a non-alkaline detergent that does not contain bleach such as used for washing delicate fabrics) or 1/3 cup white vinegar to 2/3 cup of water. Using a spray bottle, sprits the spot with the cleaner but do not over wet the spot. Then blot it up as described above.

Upholstery Spills, How to deal with them

When there is a spill on your upholstery, DON'T PANIC. However, act promptly before it spreads or dries.

For Liquid Spills

Blot lightly with a dry towel to start. Increase pressure and use a fresh towel until no more liquid is absorbed. DO NOT RUB! If residue remains, see the stain removal guide on our website, http://www.graysoncleans.com/

For solid or semi-solid spills (such as foods)

Gently lift the substance from the upholstery with a spoon or dull knife, scraping carefully toward the center of the spill. Treat any wet residue as a liquid spill.

For dry spill (such as ashes or dry cosmetics)

Adding any liquid to a normally dry substance, such as ashes, may cause a permanent stain. Vacuum, then beat the area with a ruler or similar implement and vacuum again. Then, using the adhesive side of masking tape, remove any residue.

After trying these tips, if the stains presist, contact us, http://www.graysoncleans.com/

Dealing with spills quickly

Parties are fun but they provide an increased chance of spills -- Don't Worry

It is best to get to a spill as soon as possible and remove it. The problem is you can never find a towel when you need it. The trick is to put old towels under your seat cushions. Then, when the spill happens, reach under the nearest seat cushion, pull the towel out and stand on it to blot up and remove the spill. Periodically move the towel so a non-wet portion of it is on the spill. Keep up until all the liquid is transferred to the towel.

Removing candle wax

Candles can provide an ambience and pleasant odor. But, what do you do when candle wax drips onto the carpet.

First, wait for the wax to cool, then try to scrape off as much of the hardened drips as you can, using a dull knife. Next place a clean white rag over the remaining wax and run a warm iron over the area. Repeat the process, using clean towels each time, until all the wax is gone. If wax residue remains, apply a small bit of dry-cleaning solvent and blot.

Removing furniture dents in carpet

Rearranging a room but worried about furniture dents in the carpet.

There are a few things you can try. Fill a spray bottle with water and sprits it over the dents. Then use a blow-dryer, on a hot setting, to blow air over the moistened areas. (The heat helps wool and nylon carpet rebound.) Then, fluff up the fibers with your fingers or spoon. Another option is to steam away dents. Place a clean, damp cloth over them and hold an iron, on medium heat, several inches above the cloth for about 30 to 60 seconds. Don;t let the iron touch the carpet -- it could burn! Brush up the fibers with a coin or a spoon.