Upholstery SPOT Cleaning Primer

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GLORY Carpet Cleaning Service Mr. & Mrs. C. Pat Lanyon, Owners

47 Long Hill Street Phone 860 - 528-7205

East Hartford, CT 06108-1436

Workmanship Guarantee : Recleaned for FREE if you are not Satisfied

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See the Pet spotting primer below for details pertaining to urine spots.

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning with Extraction Excellence!

Upholstery SPOT Cleaning Primer

Spot cleaning is important to know because cleaning spots right after they occur is our best assurance they will be safely and in many cases, completely removed by a professional if not by yourself. Extraction utilizes the principles of evaporation and wicking to deep clean.

Steps to Take for Spotting Furniture.

Figure 1 Simple Spotting Kit

1. SETTING UP a Spotting Kit. You will first need a 24 oz or similar spray bottle for each spotter required. Second, you will need a soft brush for agitation. Third, you will need blotting soft white terry cloth towels. Fourth, you will need a hair dryer. Use a clothes spotting super-market product greatly diluted (about ½ teaspoon for above size bottle). Always pretest each product before first use. Keep the kit readily accessible.

Figure 2 Soiled Fabric Being Reconditioned

2. Preconditioning (Figure 2). It is sprayed onto the soiled fabric. This solution has a minimum of detergent. As it is sprayed down, it surrounds and softens, after a brief dwell time, most soil. Excessive application of solution is not required unless the level of soiling is great.

Figure 3 Grooming – Soils now in Solution "Appears" Clean

3. Grooming (Figure 3). It disperses loosened soil into the solution. The fabric from the surface looks clean immediately after TAMPING, if the spotter is effective. For spots, ALWAYS use the brush like a hammer, the effect is many times more effective.

Figure 4 Extraction uses Evaporation

4. Extraction (Figure 4) Furniture extraction is by blotter cloth or small extractor, but limit rinsing greatly if possible. For especially soiled fibers, multiple passes for rinsing may be needed. Dry passes both speed drying and extract solution which was not absorbed by the fibers or picked up after the initial application.

Figure 5 Properly Cleaned – No Residue & No Soil

5. Drying. If cleaning is proper and drying is complete, fabric surface appears clean (Figure 5).

Figure 6 Residue /Soil Dries on Top [Improper Rinse]. Cleaned Fabrics Dry Last on Fiber Tips

Often, however, spots reappear (usually the result of abused fabric or over-soiling without cleaning – Figure 6). The spot must be re-cleaned and blotted as a dryer is used by the customer. The absorbent will collect any soils not first extracted. Volume spills may require 3,4 or more cleanings. Sometimes the absorbent can be left to dry on the fabric overnight, but most of the solution should be already removed or mold will appear if drying is incomplete before 48 hours.

Figure 6 highlights the importance of regular EXTRACTION CLEANING! Without deep extraction cleaning indoor air quality issues are not addressed.

Upholstery URINE Cleaning Primer

Similar principles are involved, but the approach varies a little.

You will need to add the following spotters to your kit:

1) White (cider) vinegar (acid neutralizer-spotter) solution mix with water and vinegar 50% each.

2) Enzyme spotter which will digest proteins from urine, blood and/or vomit. Enzymes are more difficult to find in the supermarket, but should be in the laundry detergent section, when in stock. 3) Baking Soda Container – powder on allow to dry then vacuum powder/crust with crevice tool.

What is different about spotting urine?

Spots are usually larger in size.

Spots are typically tougher to remove from textiles, especially thick and dense cotton fabrics in the furniture.

Reappearance of spot is common, and explainable (usually due to the volume).

Thoroughly removing them is not always possible but a minimum-reside condition is obtainable.

Extended cleaning times (multiple sessions) are usually required to see satisfying results.

Facts to keep in mind:

Urine is deposited initially as an alkaline and becomes acidic (uric acid) after evaporation.

The salts in uric acid are always sensitive to moisture and therefore usually test positive with a moisture probe. This is why the urine smell is so pungent on high humidity days.

Fabric Protection is an important measure to improve the likelihood of removal without permanent damage or odors.

Older animals usually have weaker organs resulting in stronger urine, and male species urine is usually stronger than female.

Feline urine spots are typically the most difficult to remove or deodorize.

Procedure to assist a technician coming out to spot clean for you in this scenario: (Please note: You must pre-test any product you use to prevent disqualification of your warranty!!)

Blot as soon as noticed with a dry towel as much urine as is possible. If already dry to touch, proceed to the next step.

Over-spray with pre-tested spotter of vinegar noted above. Apply generously, but layered over several application times to dilute only affected areas.

Immediately blot up with a dry towel, and use multiple towels to extract as much as possible. Use of a hair dryer will speed up the process, but figure on 30 to 60 minutes for effective evaporation time.

Apply an alkaline detergent spotter, and blot with towels as above.

Observe if any discoloration returns as drying is done. Also check for odor. Both should decrease with each cleaning. Doing this procedure saves time and decreases the technician’s in-home time requirements and enables more concentration on completion of stain and/or odor removal.

Remember to continue to towel-absorb as drying takes place if using a dryer; if not, leave the towel on surface of fabric to dry with a porous weight to increase contact area.

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