First Aid & Advice

Caring for your carpet

At Flooring First we care about you caring for your carpet so we have developed this stain removal guide. A new wool carpet will last longer and look better if a routine of regular vacuuming, periodic cleaning and immediate removal of spots and spills is followed. Very little equipment is required to maintain a carpet well. A good vacuum cleaner is essential as well as a small box of supplies - including carpet shampoo, dry cleaning fluid and clean absorbent cloths or paper tissues to remove spills.

Terms and Conditions:

Please note that whilst this advice is offered in good faith, no responsibility is accepted for claims arising from the treatments proposed. If stains fail to respond to treatments listed, call a professional carpet cleaner immediately. IMPORTANT: These instructions do not apply to synthetic carpet (nylon, polypropylene etc). Refer to manufacturer's cleaning instructions. CAUTION: Before proceeding to treat stain, pre-test treatments on an inconspicuous part of the carpet to check for possible colour change.

BEER

Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

BEETROOT

Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

BLEACH

Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

BLOOD

Cold water
Dye stripper. Dilute 50 to 1 with cold water. Caution: Do not use on dark or patterned carpet.

BURNS/ SCORCHES

Hydrogen peroxide (20 vol) diluted 10 to 1 with cold water. Caution: Do not use on dark or patterned carpet.

BUTTER

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

CHEWING GUM

Chewing gum remover (freezing agent).

CHOCOLATE

Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.
Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.

COCOA

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Cold water.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

COFFEE

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Cold water

COOKING OILS

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

CRAYON

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

CREAM

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

EGG

Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

EXCREMENT

Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

FRUIT JUICE

Clean, warm (not hot) water.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

GRASS

Methylated spirits. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.

GREASE

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

ICE CREAM

Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

INK - BALLPOINT

Methylated spirits. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

INK - FOUNTAIN

Clean, warm (not hot) water.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.
Dye stripper. Dilute 50 to 1 with cold water. Caution: Do not use on dark or patterned carpet.

LIPSTICK

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water

METAL POLISH

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

MILDEW

Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.
Hydrogen peroxide (20 vol) diluted 10 to 1 with cold water. Caution: Do not use on dark or patterned carpet.

MILK

Clean, warm (not hot) water.
Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

MUSTARD

Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

NAIL POLISH

Nail Polish remover.
Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.

OIL

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

PAINT - ACRYLIC

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Cold water.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

PAINT - OIL BASED

Mineral turpentine - effectiveness is increased with equal quantity of dry cleaning fluid. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

RUST

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.
Weak solution of white vinegar or lemon juice with cold water.

SALAD DRESSING

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

SHOE POLISH

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

SOFT DRINK

Clean, warm (not hot) water.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.
Hydrogen peroxide (20 vol) diluted 10 to 1 with cold water. Caution: Do not use on dark or patterned carpet.

TAR

Mineral turpentine - effectiveness is increased with equal quantity of dry cleaning fluid. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

TEA

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Cold water.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

URINE

Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

VOMIT

Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

WINE - RED

Absorbent powder (salt or talc). Sprinkle on spillage, leave overnight and vacuum next day.
Clean, warm (not hot) water.
Dye stripper. Dilute 50 to 1 with cold water. Caution: Do not use on dark or patterned carpet.

WINE - WHITE

Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

WOOD POLISH

Dry-cleaning fluid, lighters fluid or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lit cigarette is near, and use in well ventilated areas.
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.