First Aid & Advice
Caring for your carpet
At Richmond Flooring & Tiles 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.
Bleach
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.
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.
Blood
Cold water
Dye stripper. Dilute 50 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.
Burns/ Scorches
Hydrogen peroxide (20 vol) diluted 10 to 1 with cold water. Caution: Do not use on dark or patterned carpet.
Chewing gum
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.
Burns/ Scorches
Hydrogen peroxide (20 vol) diluted 10 to 1 with cold water. Caution: Do not use on dark or patterned carpet.
Urine
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Excrement
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.
Ice cream
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ink - Ballpoint
Methylated spirits. 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
Milk
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Mustard
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wine - White
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.
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.
Vomit
Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.
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.
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.