Good Advice on Caring for Fabric  

Tips on how to handle a spill or stain. This advice will help you clean fabrics safely.

Things You Should Do:

No one plans spills and stains! Once you understand the properties of fabric, you will be able to appropriately handle a stain. If the spot is food or a solid substance, remove the material by lifting it off with a spoon or a dull table knife. If the spot is a liquid, use a paper towel or a cloth and blot up the spill. Always blot from the outside of a spot to the center of the spot. This will control the spread of a spill. Always test the fabric in an area that is hidden from view to make sure the color doesn't come off with the stain.

Things you should not do:

1. First of all when you have a spill do not rub, scrub, or brush it in an attempt to remove it. No amount of elbow grease will remove the spill or stain.
2. Detergents are never to be used. They attract soil because they leave a soapy residue.
3. Unless recommended by a specialist, never use chemicals like acids bleach, or solvents.
4. Use only distilled water or seltzer water. Tap water should not be used. Common tap water has minerals that can cause rings. Even on treated fabrics.
5. Common commercial furniture and rug cleaners should be avoided. After their use resoiling occurs rapidly.

Here is some expert advice for some common problems!

Beverages:

1. For tea and wine, mustard, medicines, colas, alcohol, fruits, juices and mildew: If after a pretest it looks safe to use water, take a distilled water or club soda and slightly moisten the spot with a white paper towel or a white towel. Blot the area till it's dry using a dry towel. Repeat this several times till the stain is lifted. Be careful not to overwet the carpet or fabric.
   
   
2. Repeat this process three or four times. If it does not lift the stain, then in an inconspicuous location take some household strength hydrogen peroxide and use it along with the distilled water. Allow the test area to dry thoroughly and check for color loss. If it seems okay, apply the solution to spot with a cotton and allow it to dry.

What to do about Blood, Ketchup, Chili Sauce, Berries, Chocolate, Coffee , Cream, Egg, Soup, Meat, Mayonnaise, Sauces, Milk, Tomato Sauce:
Use the same steps as you would for beverages. If the stain doesn't remove them, after a test on a hidden area, use a laundry pre-spotter that has enzyme cleansers. Then dry the area. Then on the test area sponge it with water and blot it dry with a towel. Dry it again. If area is okay, use this process on the stain. Take care not to oversoak fabric. If the enzyme doesn't remove all of the stain, use the second step of removing a beverage. If grease still remains, apply spotter like 1,1,1trichloroethane. Follow instructions in what to do about grease.

What to do about Grease such as Margarine, Butter, or Oil:
First remove off excess with spoon or dull knife.
Use dry-cleaning solvent such as 1,1,1 trichloroethane and apply a few drops of with a cotton swab, then immediately sprinkle on some plain talcum powder. Vacuum up the talcum powder. and repeat this act until no traces of grease remain.

What to do about make up:
Use extra care when removing make up stains. Solvents and dyes will cause damage to most any fabric. Caution should be used to avoid spreading the stain. Always test first. Use dry-cleaning spotter applied with clean cotton swab, then blot with a white towel. Repeat this several times. If the stain is persistent, you will need to call a carpet cleaning professional.

What to do about ink:
Water-based inks are removable with alcohol by dabbing with a sponge. First try this on a test area. Ball point can be removed easily with Acetone. Used sparingly, it often removes almost all traces. Follow the same procedures as you would for grease, when using acetone. Caution: Acetone is a solvent and can dissolve synthetics fibers. Make sure you test the fabric first.

What to do about nail polish:
Be sure and test this procedure using the same nail polish in a less conspicuous area of the room. Use an oilless nail polish remover or you can also use acetone applied to the area with a cotton swab after which you then absorb the stain with a white paper towel - - very gentlly. Take your time and go slow.

What to do about shoe polish:
Sponge it with club soda or distilled water. If stain will not remove, sponge it off with alcohol. Test it first, of course. If the color does not change, repeat this process three or four times. If it does not lift the stain, then in an inconspicuous location take some household strength hydrogen peroxide and use it along with the distilled water. Allow the test area to dry thoroughly and check for color loss. If it seems okay, apply the solution to the spot with a cotton swab and allow it to dry. For wax-based shoe polish, use the same technique as removing grease spots.

What to do about urine:
Mix distilled water and equal parts of white vinegar and slightly moisten the spot with a white paper towel or a white towel. Blot the area till its dry using a dry towel. Repeat this several times till the stain is lifted.

What to do about vomit:
Add 1 Tablespoon ammonia, the non sudsy type, to 1 cup distilled water and slightly moisten the spot with a white paper towel or a white towel. Blot the area till its dry using a dry towel. Repeat this several times till the stain is lifted. Be careful not to overwet the carpet or fabric.

 

Please call Al's Finish Carpentry at: 714-664-8824

 

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