Here’s an opportunity to do a little online research. Search online for “janitorial suppliers,” and you should find several who can assist in creating a spotting kit. While on these companies’ websites, browse through other products. You’ll likely discover many items available for home maintenance; and because they are packaged in gallons, they may be less expensive than grocery store products.

Basic tools for spotting include a carrying tray, spotting brush, flip-top spotting bottles, and old spoon, and some white absorbent towels.

Chemical requirements include a volatile, dry solvent, which is designed to dissolve oil, grease, tar, asphalt, gums, fresh paints, etc. This dry-solvent spotter – which must evaporate completely, leaving no residue – is available at grocery, variety, and hardware stores. In addition, you will need a neutral detergent solution. This solution can be made from almost any detergent safe for fine fabrics, or specialty spotters are available at your grocer. Forget the general-purpose kitchen spotters – they are usually too harsh for carpet dyes.

General procedures for the spotters include:

  1. Use only enough chemicals to wet contaminated face yarns. Excess dry solvent weakens adhesives used in carpet backings.
  2. Tamp (lightly tap, never scrub) the spot with your spotting brush.
  3. Blot and observe for transfer to your towel. As long as this transfer takes place, repeat 1 through 3 patiently.
  4. When no more transfer takes place, blot the remaining spotter and proceed with another type, if appropriate.
  5. Use dry solvents first, followed by water-based spotters.
  6. When as much of the spot as possible is removed, place a one-inch thick layer of towels over it and weight it down with a heavy object. Then allow drying overnight. Excess chemical wicks out of the carpet into the towels, and no residue remains to create future spots.

Remember, the best insurance against permanent discolorations on your carpet is a prepared, knowledgeable homeowner – that’s you.