How We Clean Carpets
Carpet & Rug Spot Removal Chart




  • We pre-inspect traffic lanes, spots, stains, or problem areas with the customer to evaluate the probable outcome of the situation.
  • We pre-vacuum the areas to be cleaned thoroughly, removing as much dry soil as possible. We vacuum wall to wall, moving most of the furniture.
  • We precondition the carpet. This step loosens soil from the fiber making it easier to rinse away.
  • We steam clean the carpet, using hot water generated from the van. This step rinses away the loosened soil and vacuums it to a tank inside the van.
  • We place all furniture on tabs and blocks. The carpet is brushed to its "up" position to help it dry faster.

Maintenance Tips

  • Entry mats: Mats should be placed at all entrances outside the home. Mats should be placed on non-carpeted surfaces and maintained by periodic cleaning, vacuuming, or shaking.
  • Vacuuming: This is the most important step in maintaining and extending the life of the carpet. Vacuums should be in proper working order and vacuum bags should be changed when 1/2 full to maintain efficiency.
  • Spots: Spots should be removed immediately with a clean white towel. Use either plain water or a mild spotter (pH range of 5 to 9) to remove spots. Blot removed spot with water to remove residue and excess material.
  • Cleaning: Residential carpet should be cleaned professionally at least once a year. More heavily traveled carpeting should be cleaned more often to extend the life and appearance of the carpeting.
Acne medication 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8
Alcoholic Beverage 3, 6, 5, 4, 8
Bleach 3, 4, 8
Blood 6, 3, 4 (cold), 7, 8
Butter 1, 3, 6, 5 ,4, 8
Candle Wax 2, 1, 8
Catsup 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
Charcoal 1, 3, 8
Chewing Gum (freeze with ice, chip away, then...) 1, 8
Chocolate 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8
Coffee/Tea with Cream & Sugar 3, 5, 4, 7, 8
Cosmetics 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
Crayon (freeze with ice, chip away, then...) 1, 3, 8
Food 3, 6, 4, 8
Fruit Juice 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
Furniture Polish (water base) 3, 4, 1, 6, 7, 8
Furniture Polish (solvent base) 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
Grass 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
Grease 1, 3, 4, 8
Ink-ball Point Pen 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
Iodine 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8
Kool-Aid 3, 5, 4, 7, 8
Lipstick 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
Medicine 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
Milk 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8
Mud 3, 4, 8
Mustard 3, 5, 4, 7, 8
Nail Polish 2, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Oil 1, 3, 8
Paint, Latex 3, 6, 4, 7, 8
Plant Food 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
Rust 5, 3, 4, 7, 8
Shoe Polish 2, 1, 3, 6, 4, 7, 8
Soft Drinks 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
Tar 1, 7, 8
Toothpaste 3, 5, 6, 4, 8
Unknown 2, 1, 3, 5, 6, 4, 7, 8
Urine Wet 3, 6, 5, 4, 8
Urine Dry 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
Vomit 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8
  1. Dry Cleaning Fluid (non flammable spot removal liquid available in grocery and hardware stores)
  2. Nail Polish Remover (amyl acetate - often has a banana fragrance)
  3. Detergent solution (mix 1 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon of mild liquid detergent - no lanolin - no bleach)
  4. Warm Water (lukewarm tap water)
  5. Vinegar Solution (1 cup white vinegar to 2 cups water)
  6. Ammonia Solution (2 tablespoons household ammonia to 1 cup water)
  7. Spot Removal Cup (available from retail carpet stores or professional cleaners)
  8. Call a Professional (if you cannot completely remove the spots)


A & J's Cleaning Service, Inc.
16321 Yeoho Road
Sparks, MD 21152
410 472-2995
Fax: 410 472-1298
Email: tag@ajclean.com

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