Spot & Stain Removal

Stains and Soil:

The majority of stain complaints are actually soil related. For example, many sugar-based spills, such as soft drinks and coffee, leave a sugar residue after removal. This sticky residue readily attracts soil from ordinary shoe traffic, and the resulting discoloured area appears to be a stain.

The same thing happens when spills are cleaned with a detergent solution and the area is not sufficiently rinsed with plain water, leaving a sticky detergent residue. It is important to rinse thoroughly with water and blot dry after removing any spill.

Carpet

No carpet is stain proof, but since many are stain resistant, you have time to act. Remove as much of food spills as possible by scraping the carpet gently with a spoon or a dull knife. Absorb wet spills quickly by blotting repeatedly with white paper or white cloth towels. Always blot; never rub or scrub abrasively, as a fuzzy area may result. When blotting, work from the outer edge in toward the centre of the spot to avoid spreading the spill. Remove the stain using one of the cleaning items from the checklist below. Rinse the cleaned carpet area with water to remove detergent residue that may become sticky and cause rapid re-soiling. Absorb any remaining moisture by placing several layers of white towels over the spot and weighing them down with a heavy object. This step is necessary even when the carpet doesn't seem particularly damp.

Be prepared for any spill with the following checklist:

• White cloths or white paper towels
• Detergent Solution: Mix mild liquid detergent with water (no more than 1/4 teaspoon of detergent to 32 ounces of water). A clear, non-bleach liquid dishwashing detergent such as Dawn, Joy, or clear Ivory is recommended. Do not use detergents that are cloudy or creamy because they may leave a sticky residue.
• Vinegar Solution: Mix 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water
• Ammonia Solution: Mix one tablespoon of ammonia to one cup of water. (Do not use on wool or wool-blend carpets.)
• Non-oily nail polish remover
• Chewing gum remover (freeze or solid type)
• Spot Remover: Use spot removers designed specifically for grease, oil, or tar
• "¢ Specialty Spot Removers: Several specialty spotting products are available from cleaning industry suppliers to remove difficult stains.

Give your local End Of The Roll Flooring Centre a call to see what we have in store and to ask a Flooring Advisor any questions you may have.

Laminate Flooring Care

For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Do not wash or wet mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination, and joint-line separation, and void the warranty.

• Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong ammoniated or chlorinated type cleaners.
• Do not use any type of buffing or polishing machine.

Content thanks in part to Shaw Floors.