Compare carpet stain removers for their effectiveness?

Introduction: (Initial Observation)

General purpose detergents may not be able to remove certain types of stain on clothing, carpet or any other fabric. Some stains produce a mechanical bind with the fiber of the fabric. Some other stains create a molecular bond. In either way, a more effective stain remover is needed to remove them.
Almost all manufacturers of stain removers claim that their product is the best and is effective; however, that might not be the case for every type of stain.

In this project you will determine which carpet stain remover is more effective in removing certain stains. First select which carpet stain removers are to be tested. At least three different stain removers should be selected as a minimum number, with four or five to be preferred.

Dear

This project guide contains information that you need in order to start your project. If you have any questions or need more support about this project, click on the “Ask Question” button on the top of this page to send me a message.

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Project advisor

Information Gathering:

For each stain remover see if there is a home-page on the web and find any information the producer provides about that specific stain remover. Also search the web for the term “stain remover” and related terms to gain useful information about stain removers.

Many stain removers contain some detergent and some alcohol. Following are three common chemicals used is stain removers:

Isopropyl Alcohol
Propylene Glycol n-Propyl ether
Sodium Thiosulfate
Anionic Surfactant

You can make hundreds of different stain removers at home. Each stain remover is good for a specific type of stain. Following are some stain remover recipes ordered by the stain type.

Ballpoint Ink …. Use rubbing alcohol.

Beer – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
2. Mix one-third cup of white household vinegar with two-thirds cup of water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.

Blood – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery
(CLEANING INGREDIENTS MUST BE COLD)

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) to a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
2. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half-cup of water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Butter – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
Candle Wax – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Remove with heated iron into absorbent paper towel or napkin.

2. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride).
3. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
Candy (sugar) – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
2. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half- cup of water. Blot.
3. Repeat step one with the neutral detergent.
4. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Chewing Gum – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings, or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid or carbon tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
Chocolate – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
2. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half-cup of water. Blot.
3. Repeat step one.
4. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Coffee – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings, or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Crayon – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Catsup – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
2. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half-cup of water. Blot.
3. Repeat step one.
4. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Earth (dirt)– Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
2. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half-cup of water. Blot.
3. Repeat step one with the detergent.
4. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Egg (raw)– Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
2. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half-cup of water. Blot.
3. Repeat step one.
4. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Excrement– Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
2. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half-cup of water. Blot.
3. Repeat step one.
4. Mix one-third cup of white household vinegar with two-thirds cup of water. Blot.
5. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Fruit and Juices – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
2. Rinse with white household vinegar. Blot.
3. Repeat step one.
4. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Furniture polish– Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings, or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clear water. Blot.

Glue (school, white) – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

Gravy– Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings, or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clear water. Blot.

Hand lotion – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings, or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.

Ice cream – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
2. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half-cup of water. Blot.
3. Repeat step one.
4.Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Ink (ballpoint) – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backing or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Iodine, Merthiolate – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
2. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half-cup of water. Blot.
3. Mix one-third cup of white household vinegar with two-thirds cup of water. Blot.
4. Repeat step one. Blot.
5. Sponge with clean water. Blot.

Marble Stain Removal – Make a poultice from white absorbent material such as a napkin, blotter, paper towel or facial tissue, dampened with the chemical recommended to dissolve that stain; or mix whiting with that chemical to make a soft paste to cover the stain. The poultice should be left on the stain from 1 hour up to 48 hours, depending on the age and depth of the stain. Plastic wrap, held in place by masking tape, can be put over the poultice to keep it damp; otherwise it will have to be redampened with the chemical periodically. Mix only enough poultice for immediate use; mix a second batch if another application is needed.

Marking Ink Pen – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings, or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Milk – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

Nail Polish – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Apply nail polish remover (acetone). Blot.
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.

Oil Stains

Oil stains may include butter, hand cream or lotion. As soon as possible, spread surface with an absorbent fine powder such as whiting or even corn starch. After short time brush to remove and reapply more powder. Let stand 24 hours.

To remove: Scrub with hot, sudsy (detergent) solution and stiff brush. Or wipe with ammonia-dampened cloth. In either case, then rinse and wipe dry. If these alkaline solutions don’t remove all the oil, you can try a solvent. Make a poultice dampened with acetone or amyl acetate (available at drug stores), or with home dry cleaning fluid. Use good ventilation with windows open to remove fumes, do not use near spark or flame, and do not leave on too long.

Organic Stains

Tea, coffee, colors bleached from paper, textiles or soft drinks.
Make poultice soaked with 20% peroxide (hair bleaching strength) and a few drop of ammonia.

Paint, Latex – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
2. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Paint, Oil-Base Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings, or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid or carbon tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
4. OR Seek the help of a professional carpet cleaner.

Removing Blue Stains on Bathroom Fixtures:

Blue, green or other unusual colored stains, can be caused in old, badly worn bathtubs andsinks, from cleansers not rinsed off thoroughly. When harsh abrasives (such as most scouring powders) are used regularly on these porcelain enamel surfaces, over several years they wear down the smooth surface, leaving it rough.

Dyes used to encapsulate the cleaning particles in scouring powders or other colored cleansers can get into the crevices of such worn surfaces, and if not rinsed off, and allowed to stay and harden for days, can be almost impossible to remove. A strong chlorine bleach solution may lighten the stain, but will also further dull or discolor the porcelain surface. So one may have to live with the stain.

Removing Rust/Iron Stains on Bathroom Fixtures:

Rust stains come from iron in the water supply, which can only be permanently remove through installation of an iron filter. Occasionally iron is dissolved from rusting water pipes or mains by corrosive water. Iron stains can be removed by a weak acid solution, usually oxalic acid which is highly toxic and must be handled with care. Never use chlorine bleach as this sets the iron stain.

Fresh iron stains on plumbing fixtures such as sinks, bathtubs and chrome will generally yield to treatment with heavy duty cleaning compounds containing large proportions of trisodium phosphate. Apply cleaner with damp cloth, pad or sponge. Rub discolored surface until stain is removed. Rinse. Wipe dry and polish.

Heavy, stubborn rust stains can often be removed by oxalic acid stain remover compounds such as Zud or a tri-chloro-melanine compound such as Barkeepers Friend. Follow directions carefully.

For rust stains already set on bathroom or kitchen plumbing fixtures, dissolve oxalic acid crystals in hot water and add enough whiting or talc to make a soft paste. Apply this poultice to stain and let dry before removing. Rinse and polish.Use with care-it is poisonous.

Rubber Cement– Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings, or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid or carbon tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Rust- Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

Use Whink or Zud or other Rust Remover. Follow directions on package.

Shoe polish – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings, or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
4. OR Seek the help of a professional carpet cleaner.
Soft Drinks – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

Tar (asphalt) – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings, or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or carbon tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Tea – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

Caution: Follow directions carefully when you use chemicals to remove stains. Always “remove the stain remover” as soon as its job has been done. Remember many of these substances are on the “Not recommended list” for general floor care, but must be used if the stain is to be removed.

Try the following methods for these common stains. Try the first method listed first, and go to the second only if this doesn’t work. For unknown stains or heavy staining, consult a professional.

Vaseline – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

Wax (paste) – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

1. Sponge a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings, or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid or carbon tetrachloride).
2. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
3. Sponge with clean water. Blot.
Wine – Stain Removal on Carpet and Upholstery

Question/ Purpose:

What do you want to find out? Write a statement that describes what you want to do. Use your observations and questions to write the statement.

The purpose of this project is to find out which stain remover is more effective on a certain type of stain.

Identify Variables: (updated)

When you think you know what variables may be involved, think about ways to change one at a time. If you change more than one at a time, you will not know what variable is causing your observation. Sometimes variables are linked and work together to cause something. At first, try to choose variables that you think act independently of each other.

The independent variable is the type of stain remover

The dependent variable is the time it takes for the stain to be removed

Constants are stain type, stain substrate, stain remover concentration, test procedures and equipment.

Controlled variables are temperature and moisture

Hypothesis:

You will state which stain removers have been selected and then the hypothesis will state which of the stain removers is believed to be more effective. The hypothesis may be based on your intuition or past experiences with stain removers.

Experiment Design:

Materials Needed are:

Samples of stain removers
Dropper or spray gun
Small brushes (one for each stain remover)
Ink, paint or any other staining liquid

Procedure: (updated)

Get five pieces of fabric or carpet and stain four of them with one drop of the staining liquid. Keep the fifth one clean and label it as “CLEAN CONTROL”

Label three stained pieces with the names of three different stain removers that you want to test. Label the last stained piece as “STAINED CONTROL”

Wait 10 minutes for the stains to fix on the fabric.

Apply 3 drops of each stain remover on each stain. Use only one type of stain remover for each fabric as labeled.

Wait one minute. Rinse each fabric with 50 drops of clean water.

Make observation. Record the time (minutes or seconds) that it take for each stain remover to fully remove the stain. Record your results in a table like this:

Name of Stain Remover	Time to remove the stain

Make a graph:

Make a bar graph to show your experiment results. Use one vertical bar for each stain remover. The height of each bar is the time it took for that specific stain remover to remove the stain.

Old Procedure:

In laboratories, devices such as colorimeter are used to determine what percentage of stain is removed. At home you may make a color chart using stains that are diluted. You may also visually estimate the percent of remaining stain and determine which stain remover worked best. If visual estimation is not acceptable for you, use the above procedure instead.

In this experiment time is a constant. Dependent variable is the percent of remaining stain.

Get five pieces of fabric or carpet and stain four of them with one drop of the staining liquid. Keep the fifth one clean and label it as “CLEAN CONTROL”

Label three stained pieces with the names of three different stain removers that you want to test. Label the last stained piece as “STAINED CONTROL”

Wait 10 minutes for the stains to fix on the fabric.

Apply 3 drops of each stain remover on each stain. Use only one type of stain remover for each fabric as labeled.

Wait one minute. Rinse each fabric with 50 drops of clean water.

Make observation. Visually compare the pieces with controls that you have and determine the percent of remained stain. Record your results in a table like this:

Name of Stain Remover	% of remaining stain

Experiment variations:

You may modify the above procedures as follows:

Instead of one drop, you may use a different amount of staining liquid; however, make sure that you apply the same type and amount of stain in all your stained samples.
Instead of 3 drops of stain remover, you may spray the stain remover or use any other applicator; however, the same amount and method should be used on all stain removers.
Instead of using 50 drops of clean water, you can use a different amount of water; however, the same method of rinsing and the same amount of water must be used for all samples.

Results of Experiment (Observation):

The data could be presented in written form or a bar graph would be an excellent visual method of displaying the final results. Each brand tested should have its own bar. The length of the bars would be proportional to the percent of removed stain or percent of remained stain.

Summary of Results:

All measurements should be recorded in the project book and may be presented in the final project report either as numerical data or shown as a bar graph. For each brand of stain remover tested, the length of the bar should show the percentage of stain removed.

Conclusion:

The conclusion to the report will state the ranking of the various stain removers, and decide if the original hypothesis was proven or disproved. The conclusions might also state any relationships you have noted between the popularity of a given stain remover and its effectiveness or its price.

Possible Errors:

If you did not observe anything different than what happened with your control, the variable you changed may not affect the system you are investigating. If you did not observe a consistent, reproducible trend in your series of experimental runs there may be experimental errors affecting your results. The first thing to check is how you are making your measurements. Is the measurement method questionable or unreliable? Maybe you are reading a scale incorrectly, or maybe the measuring instrument is working erratically.

If you determine that experimental errors are influencing your results, carefully rethink the design of your experiments. Review each step of the procedure to find sources of potential errors. If possible, have a scientist review the procedure with you. Sometimes the designer of an experiment can miss the obvious.

References:

List your references here.

Compare carpet stain removers for their effectiveness?