Ceiling Stains

The stains are generally caused by water getting into the backing board (plywood, hardboard etc) and bringing the chemicals from that into the carpet. That's why the clean rainwater stains brown in most cases.

Therefore it is imperative that you don't get the carpet too wet or it will simply bring more and more back (ask me how I know LOL)

I found that applying the cleaner (in my case Oxyclean I mixed very strong myself) to a decent kitchen towel (I use Viva) and then blotting the carpet - apply pressure for a minute of so and then finish with a dry cloth, works best.

It takes several applications but works great in the end.

Our old coach, a '96 Allergo bus, had evenly spaced stains that went across the ceiling about four feet apart. We tried various chemicals and techniques but nothing worked. While at Red Bay in the service area, I inquired about a solution and was told that the ceiling carpet was permanently stained and nothing would work. I cut oak strips about 1/4" X 3" X width of celing and stained them to match the cabinents. Covering the stains was a good solution. Good luck with yours, Bob

We have in home carpet cleaning machine with a spray type hose attachment. Use the same carpet cleaner we use on our in home carpets. Spray on, us a soft hand brush to work in cleaner, suck the cleaner off. Works great. You can also use a carpet cleaning solution in a spray bottle, spray on stain, work in with a soft hand brush and suck off with a wet/dry vac.

we tried 409 carpet cleaner because of good reviews but not much good on those stains, will try some of these ideas. I did hear one recipe 1 part of each, hot water, bleach and club soda, I tried a heavy duty spot shot only to bleed through the glue, not that spot is darker and hardened.

Oxyclean or rub a fels naptha bar and extract.

(I clean carpets as a side job)

I've read on here that some folks have used Woolite with Oxiclean.

We use Spot Shot which is sold almost everywhere and is designed for use on rugs and carpets. Works great for carpet ceiling stains, just be sure you use a clean white rag to blot it and you're good to go. It has worked great for us and we had tried almost every concoction before using it as a last resort. Wish I had thought to try it first.

copied and saved from previous threads ( not mine)
Ok guys this came directly from the Fleetwood factory and it works.

Mix distilled water 50% with plain old household bleach, spray it on the stained area, let it sit for maybe 1 minute them blot with a absorbent towel. 75% to 80% of the water stains will come out with the first blotting. Repeat the process again and more will come out I had to do it three and four times to get it all. Don't saturate it just fog it.

Next fill your spray bottle with just distilled water and do the spray and blot routine a couple of times to rinse out the bleach.

Finally, mix 50% white vinegar and distilled water and spray it again and blot then just fog it and leave to dry.

One other thing, be sure you wear a mask as the over spray of bleach is real tough to take and the vinegar ain't much better.

If you want to see some B4 and after photos go to picasaweb.google.com/rchonly look in "Roger Photos" - "View Files" for my file entitled "1991 American Eagle - Water Damage". Don't let the date on those photo's fool you, my camera decided to default itself back to day one and I didn't notice it until those were published. I took those in May and have just finished the restoration of the Eagle about 10 days ago. I'll put up some new photos in about a week. I found me a jewel as it has 6,011 miles on it.

You will be surprised how fast this works and pleased with the end results.

Roger

11/21/2010
Before you try painting, mix plain old Clorox bleach & distilled water in a spray bottle at a 50% solution. Spray it on leave for about 30 to 45 seconds and wipe it off with an absorbent towel if it's going to work you'll see it right away. If it works keep applying that way until the stain is gone. Once the stain is gone spray a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water and wipe off a couple of times and you will have nuetralized the bleach, finally just spray and wipe with distilled water and it should be cured.

If that doesn't work go with the paint job.

OH YEAH, WEAR A DUST MASK WHEN YOU SPRAY THAT STUFF (the bleach & the vinegar) OVERHEAD IT IS REALLY NASTY TO BREATH.