Spot Removal Guide

Most people think that as soon as something spills you need to attack it with a spot remover.  What it actually ends up doing is diluting the spot remover.  So if you can get most of the liquid out of the carpet first, your spot remover will work much better!

Follow these steps for any spot still in liquid form
1. If saturated, use a wet/dry vacuum or vacuum attachment from a spotting machine to remove as much liquid as possible
2. Apply folded paper towel on the spot and blot until there is no longer any moisture transfer into the paper towel
3. Apply more paper towel on the spot and put some weight on it (standing on it is most common) for 10 seconds and repeat until there is no longer any moisture transfer into the paper towel.
4. Apply more paper towel on the spot and set something heavy of little value (old books) on top for 6 to 12 hours.  Any remaining moisture will wick to the surface and be absorbed into the paper towel.
5. Apply water to the spot and use a wet/dry vacuum or use water in a spotting machine and rinse the spot thoroughly.  Repeat until there is no noticeable difference

If the spot is already dry, complete step #5

I know that sound like a lot of work but at this point the spot should be 95% to completely gone.  Now your favorite spot remover will be much more effective to remove any of the remaining spot.


Pet Stains and Odor

Please be aware that Cleaning and Odor Removal are two different chemistries.  Cleaning agents remove Soil and are not effective at removing Odors.   Think of it this way.  A dog gets into a fight with a skunk and comes home smelling like a skunk.  You can bath the dog but it will still smell like skunk.  To remove the odor, you need something specifically designed to remove that particular odor.

The problem with removing liquid pet odors is that sometimes we dont know exactly where all the spots are.  We may know about 3 but there actually may be 5.  (using a Black Light can be helpful, but is not foolproof)  So after we treat the 3 spots we are aware of and it still off gasses and smells from the 2 we were not aware of, it would be easy to say that the treatment didnt work.  Well it did for the 3 we treated but the odor is still coming from the 2 that were not treated.  So to completely remove an odor, we need to know exactly what areas have been affected.

To remove any pet stain and odor, I recommend products made by the Brampton Company.  The specific products would be Outright or Simple Solution.  I also have had many customers over the years that have had good results using a product called Natures Miracle.  These should be available at any pet store.

Pet Stains and Odor Removal

Most pet stain and odor removal products are enzymes which digest the source of the odor.  They should be mixed according to the directions and poured on the spot - AT LEAST 1 INCH LARGER THAN THE SPOT!  So if the spot is 2" round, pour the solution on slowly until it is 3" round.  That way you are putting more in than the pet did.  Now cover it with wax paper and set old books or magazines on top of the wax paper to keep it in place.  Let sit 24-48 hours.  The longer it is wet, the longer the enzymes have to work.  After that, remove the wax paper and let air dry.

For severe cases, it is recommended that the carpet be lifted, the affected section of the pad be removed and the subfloor be sealed with BIN or KILZ.  The carpet can be treated as above, new section of pad put in and the carpet reinstalled.  That is the only way to make sure you eliminate all of the odor.

A rule of thumb is that if 25% of the carpet has been contaminated, it should be removed and replaced.

If you have any questions, please call!