Check also: 9 Things You Need to Know About Stain Protection for Carpets and Upholstery

Carpet pile reversal is most noticeable in solid color carpets.

1. Carpet Pile Reversal

Pooling, pile reversal, watermarking, and shading all describe the same frustrating phenomenon. Pooling, sometimes called watermarking or shading, is a form of pile reversal that can affect both wool and synthetic carpets. It’s a particularly annoying issue because it can happen to brand-new carpets just as easily as to older ones, and even the most expensive ones aren’t immune. It occurs when the carpet yarns lie in different directions in adjacent areas, creating a visible distortion. One area will appear lighter, while the adjoining area appears darker, depending on the angle you view it. It’s an optical effect caused by how light reflects off the carpet fibres.

As an experiment, we’ve tried using the hottest water temperatures (the industry standard for removing “crush marks”) on these areas, but the pooling persists. And unfortunately, carpet cleaning does not cause this. It’s a characteristic of certain carpet types, most often dense, deep, cut-pile carpets, and particularly noticeable on solid-coloured carpets. While it might appear more prominently after a professional cleaning, this is usually because the removal of general soiling makes the existing issue more visible. It was likely there before but perhaps masked by dirt, furniture placement, or lighting. Notably, most carpet manufacturers do not consider pooling a manufacturing defect and won’t cover it under warranty.

How to Prevent Pooling

If you’re furnishing a new home, consider the flooring choices for different rooms. While carpets are cosy in bedrooms, they might not be the best choice for high-traffic areas like living rooms or dining rooms, where pooling would be more visible. Hardwood or laminate flooring could be a more practical option for these spaces. 

Alternatively, when choosing carpets, consider the pile type. Loop-pile styles are far less susceptible to pooling than cut piles. Loop-pile carpets are durable, resilient, fashionable, and stain-resistant, making them a superior choice for busy households.

Read also: How to Choose Carpets for Your New Home

What Can Be Done to Fix or Hide Pooling?

Sadly, there’s no permanent fix for pooling. While temporary solutions like steaming and grooming the affected area might offer limited and short-lived improvement, they won’t resolve the issue completely. The best way to deal with pooling is to conceal it. Placing rugs over the affected areas is a simple and effective way to hide the visual distortion.

If heavy furniture, like a dresser or bookcase, is placed on your carpet, deep, permanent indentations can form within a few months.

2. Carpet Indentations

Carpet indentations are those annoying marks left behind when furniture stands in the same spot for an extended period. While minor indentations can often be addressed with some simple DIY tricks or professional cleaning, deep, long-standing indentations are a different story. If a heavy piece of furniture has been pressing down on the carpet for years, it’s unlikely that any amount of cleaning will fully restore the pile. We frequently encounter clients, especially tenants moving out, who expect us to erase these deep indentations magically. We always strive to be upfront about what can and cannot be achieved through professional cleaning, to ensure you have realistic expectations.

How to Prevent Carpet Indentations

Prevention is key when it comes to carpet indentations. Regularly moving furniture, even slightly, can help distribute the pressure and prevent deep indentations from forming. Using furniture coasters and cups under the legs of heavy items can also help. Regular vacuuming and brushing of the carpet can also help maintain the pile and reduce the likelihood of indentations becoming permanent.

Check also: Things You Can Do to Keep Your Carpets Clean

What Can Be Done to Fix Carpet Indentations?

For recent, less severe indentations, you can try putting ice cubes over the dents and letting them melt. Once the ice has melted, blot up the excess water with a sponge and gently lift the carpet fibres with a spoon or a dull knife. Another method involves using a steam iron. Place a clean cloth over the indentation and apply steam from the iron. However, for older, deeper indentations, these methods, and even professional cleaning, are unlikely to provide a complete solution.

We always advise treating carpet stains with any product before testing them first because doing so can lead to stain bleeding and permanent discolouration, as shown in the photo.

3. Carpet Discolouration: Bleaching and UV Damage

Carpet discolouration can occur due to several factors, including bleaching from harsh cleaning products, accidental spills, or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight (UV damage). Unfortunately, discolouration is permanent and cannot be reversed by carpet cleaning. There’s no magic formula or technique that can restore the original colour of the carpet.

How to Prevent Carpet Discolouration

When using any cleaning products, always test them on a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet first. This step will help you avoid accidentally bleaching or discolouring the carpet. For area rugs, rotate them periodically to prevent uneven fading from sunlight. Use thick curtains or blinds to block direct sunlight during peak hours for wall-to-wall carpets.

Read also: Successful Stain Removal Is a Matter of Chemistry

What Can Be Done to Fix Carpet Discolouration?

While professional cleaning can sometimes revive dull-looking carpets by removing embedded dirt, it cannot fix discolouration caused by bleaching or UV damage. If the colour loss is significant, the only option might be to replace the affected section of the carpet or, in extreme cases, the entire carpet. 

Another option to consider is re-dyeing the bleached area. However, this is an expensive and specialised service, and there’s no guarantee that the re-dyed colour will perfectly match the surrounding carpet. 

The sudden appearance of bald patches on your carpet is always alarming, and you should immediately call pest control specialists.

4. Moth Infestations

Moth infestations are a serious and persistent problem. These pests lay eggs in carpets and furnishings, and the hatching larvae feed on the carpet fibres, causing significant damage. While some DIY methods, including steam cleaning, are often suggested for moth removal, they are rarely effective on their own. Professional carpet cleaning alone will not eliminate a moth infestation.

How to Prevent Moth Infestations

Regular vacuuming, especially in less frequently accessed areas like under furniture and behind wardrobes, is crucial for preventing moth infestations. Moths thrive in dark, humid environments, so good ventilation is also important. Regularly inspect your carpets and furnishings for signs of moth activity.

Read also: How to Keep Your Furniture and Carpets Clean All Year Long 

What Can Be Done to Deal with Moth Infestation?

If you suspect a moth infestation, immediately contact a professional pest control company. They will be able to recommend the most effective treatment for your specific situation. Only after the pest control treatment has been completed and confirmed a success should you consider having your carpets professionally cleaned to remove any remaining debris, dead moths, larvae, eggs, and residue from the pest control products. It’s a two-step process: pest control first, then carpet cleaning.

After a professional carpet cleaning, a long pile like this will look great; however, it will flatten again, especially in high-traffic areas.

5. Flattened Carpet Pile

In recent years, we’ve noticed a trend of people purchasing carpets that mimic the lush feel of more expensive options. These carpets, often with a long pile or certain fibres like Polypropylene or Polypropylene blends, for example, can initially feel incredibly soft and luxurious underfoot. However, over time, the pile can start to flatten, losing its volume and softness. Unfortunately, this is often an inherent characteristic of these types of carpets, and carpet cleaning alone won’t permanently restore the pile’s original loft.

How to Prevent Flattened Carpet Pile

You can’t entirely prevent the pile from flattening over time with certain carpet types. The initial softness is often due to the underlay, not the pile itself. If you prioritise a thick, plush feel, invest in a high-quality underlay, which is sold separately.

Check also: Pros and Cons of Getting a Viscose Rug

What Can Be Done to Fix a Flattened Carpet Pile?

While professional cleaning might temporarily improve the appearance of a flattened carpet pile, the effect is not permanent. The pile will likely flatten again over time. For long-pile carpets prone to flattening, replacing the carpet might be a more cost-effective solution in the long run than repeated professional cleanings. Consider choosing a short, dense, ideally loop-pile carpet for greater durability and less risk of flattening.

Honest Solutions for Your Carpet Care Needs

As you can see, there are some carpet issues that even the most skilled carpet cleaners can’t resolve. However, professional carpet cleaning can address many other problems, such as stains, embedded dirt and dust, and bacteria, restoring the beauty and freshness of your carpets. If you’re looking for experienced carpet cleaners in London who will provide a thorough clean without making false promises, don’t hesitate to contact Cleaner Cleaner Ltd. We’re here to help you keep your carpets looking their best.

Our comprehensive guide covers the unique considerations for professional deep carpet cleaning in London during the colder months. We explore the challenges of winter conditions and review practical strategies for ensuring thorough drying. Our experienced carpet cleaners have also put together some valuable tips for maintaining a healthy indoor environment during the cold and humid London winter.

Read also: How to Clean the 3 Most Common Types of Carpets

Stains happen unexpectedly. Don’t ignore them! For large or stubborn stains, professional carpet cleaning of the entire carpet may be necessary.

Why Winter Carpet Cleaning May Be Necessary

Despite the inherent challenges, there are several compelling reasons to consider deep carpet cleaning during the winter months:

• Spills and accidents: Winter often increases indoor activity, leading to a higher likelihood of spills, food messes, and pet accidents. Prompt, professional cleaning can prevent stains from setting and damage from occurring.
• Spending more time indoors: In cold weather, we tend to spend more time inside the house. This increases foot traffic inside and can lead to a faster accumulation of dust, dirt, and allergens in our carpets.
• Health concerns: Winter months often coincide with an increase in respiratory illnesses. Carpets can harbour dust mites, allergens, and other pollutants that aggravate allergies and respiratory problems. Regular cleaning significantly improves the indoor air quality and creates a healthier living environment for all family members, especially those with sensitivities.
• Holiday season: Winter holidays lead to more foot traffic inside our homes, which increases the potential for spills and stains. A professional carpet cleaning after the festivities can restore your carpet’s fibres to their original condition and prepare your home for the new year.

Humid London weather presents unique challenges for deep carpet cleaning, especially in winter.

The Challenges of Winter Carpet Cleaning

While maintaining your carpet clean in winter is essential, the season presents a few particular challenges that you must address to ensure successful results:

• Slower drying times: Low temperatures and increased humidity levels significantly slow down the drying process. This can lead to prolonged dampness, creating an ideal environment for mould growth and musty odours.
• Health risks: In addition to mould growth, carpets’ moisture provides perfect conditions for developing bacteria and can even attract pests like moths, which thrive in damp conditions.
• Reduced ventilation: Cold weather often requires that windows and doors remain closed, which limits natural ventilation and prevents moisture from escaping carpets.
• Increased use of heating: Relying heavily on heating systems can complicate the drying process. While heating can help evaporate moisture, it may also raise indoor humidity levels without proper ventilation.
• Potential for damage: If carpets remain damp for extended periods, the fibres can be damaged, including shrinkage, warping, and discolouration.

Check also: 7 Ideas for Dealing with Mould at Home

Hiring a carpet care expert is always a sure bet against mold, stains, and dirt. However, there are a few other things you can do to ensure perfect results for your winter carpet cleaning.

Strategies for Successful Winter Carpet Cleaning

To overcome these challenges and ensure successful winter carpet cleaning, consider the following strategies:

Optimise the Use of Heating

Use your home’s heating system strategically. Turn on the heat before and during the carpet cleaning to warm the air and accelerate drying. However, ensure adequate ventilation to prevent excessive humidity buildup.

Ensure Proper Airflow

Open windows and doors whenever possible, even for short periods, to allow maximum airflow and moisture escape. Utilise fans to circulate air and expedite the drying process.

Minimise water usage

Opt for cleaning techniques that minimise water usage, such as the hot water extraction method or dry carpet cleaning.

Put Your Dehumidifier to Work

Dehumidifiers significantly reduce the humidity in your home, creating a more favourable environment for carpet drying.

Request Powerful Carpet Cleaning Machines

When selecting a professional carpet cleaning company, it’s crucial to inquire about their equipment. Ensure they utilise advanced machines with powerful suction to extract as much moisture as possible. Excessively wet carpets can lead to prolonged drying times, increased risk of mould, and potential damage to the carpet fibres. If the company’s standard machines lack sufficient suction, they should offer specialised drying equipment, such as high-powered air movers.

Avoid Rental Carpet Cleaning Equipment

It’s essential to avoid using rental carpet cleaning machines like Rug Doctor, especially in winter. These machines often over-saturate carpets due to their high water usage and limited suction power. Domestic carpet cleaners typically lack the power and specialised solutions necessary for effective and thorough professional cleaning.

Prepare the Carpet Before Cleaning

Thoroughly vacuum your carpets before the professional cleaning to remove loose dirt, debris, and pet hair. This step will not only improve the effectiveness of the cleaning but also reduce the amount of moisture absorbed by the carpets.

By addressing the unique challenges of winter carpet cleaning, you can create a more comfortable and enjoyable living space for you and your family.

Read also: Which Carpet Cleaning Method is the Best?

A clean carpet is a crucial step towards improving indoor air quality this winter, but there are a few other things you can do as well.

Maintaining a Healthy Indoor Environment

In addition to using professional cleaning services, you can take several measures to maintain a cleaner carpet and healthier indoor environment during the winter months:

• Regular vacuuming: Vacuuming your floorings at least twice a week is crucial to remove dust, dirt, and allergens from carpets.
• Air filtration: Utilise air purifiers with HEPA filters to remove airborne particles, including dust, pollen, and mould spores.
• Proper ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation throughout your home by regularly opening windows and doors, even for short periods.
• Control humidity: Use dehumidifiers to maintain optimal humidity levels in your place, reducing the risk of mould growth and other moisture-related issues.
• Wear clean shoes indoors: Encourage family members and guests to take off their outdoor shoes before entering the house to minimise the tracking of dirt, mud, and other contaminants onto carpets.
• Dust regularly: Dusting surfaces frequently helps to prevent dust from settling on carpets.
• Minimise the use of chemical products: Be mindful when using chemical products on carpets, such as stain protection sprays. Many contain potentially harmful chemicals like PFOS, which can harm human health and the environment. Consider natural alternatives or professional stain protection applications for high-traffic areas or expensive carpets.
• Choose natural cleaning products: Opt for natural and non-toxic cleaning products and eco-friendly cleaning techniques for your home whenever possible.
• Clean your rugs more often: While cleaning wall-to-wall carpets is challenging, maintaining area rugs is significantly easier. Inspect and clean area rugs to prevent the buildup of dirt and allergens.
• Consider Flooring Alternatives:
  • Hardwood, cork, or laminate flooring can be easier to clean and maintain than carpets.
  • However, it’s important to note that dust on hard floors is more readily airborne, potentially triggering respiratory issues for some individuals.
  • With carpets, dust remains trapped within the fibres, minimising its impact on indoor air quality.
  • Regardless of your flooring choice, regular and thorough cleaning is essential to maintain a healthy indoor environment and minimise the accumulation of dust and allergens.

Check also: 9 Things You Need to Know About Stain Protection for Carpets and Upholstery

Combining these additional measures with regular professional carpet cleaning can significantly improve indoor air quality. Remember, a clean home contributes to your well-being.

Don’t hesitate to call us for expert carpet cleaning and stain removal, even in winter! We use low-moisture cleaning methods and advanced products to ensure your carpets are pristine.

Call Us If You Need Expert Carpet Care This Winter

Winter can make maintaining a clean and healthy home challenging, especially regarding carpet care. However, careful planning allows you to clean the carpet successfully during the colder months. For the best results, consider hiring a reputable professional carpet cleaning company experienced in winter cleaning. If you are in London, don’t hesitate to call us to request a free quote and book our professional carpet cleaning service any time of the year!

Plastic blinds are notorious dust collectors, but regular wiping can significantly reduce the amount of dust circulating in your home. Image by freepik

Combating Summer Dust and Dirt

Warmer weather means open windows, inviting dust and other airborne particles indoors. Regular vacuuming with a HEPA filter is essential, targeting high-traffic areas, carpets, rugs, and furniture edges. Curtains and blinds are dust magnets, so it’s a good idea to include them in your regular cleaning schedule. Use your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachment to remove dust from curtains and the small nozzle to clean blinds, regardless of whether they are textile, plastic, or wooden. If you have an air conditioner, regularly clean its filter to prevent airflow obstruction and potential damage to the unit.

You might also like: Are Robotic Vacuum Cleaners Worth It

If you (and your pet) enjoy outdoor activities in summer, our tips will help prevent tracking dirt and grime onto your carpets and furniture.

Dealing with Dirt from Outdoor Adventures

Even if you don’t have a mudroom, it is wise to designate a space near your home’s entrance where you remove dirty clothes and shoes to contain mud and dirt. Use washable doormats for pets and wipe down your shoes after outdoor adventures. Keep a towel by the door to clean muddy paws before your pets enter the house. Vacuuming regularly during the summer is essential to prevent dirt buildup and keep indoor air quality healthy. If dirt gets tracked inside, consider deep cleaning your carpets to avoid damage to the fibres and lengthen the lifespan of your floors. 

Check also: 6 Proven Ways to Keep Your Furniture and Carpets Clean All Year Round

Sweat stains can quickly ruin your bedding, so following our laundry and mattress cleaning tips is essential.

Managing Summer Sweat and Odours

Increase ventilation, wash bedding frequently, and consider using mattress refreshing sprays. Summertime increases sweat and sebum buildup on bedding. Unless you have a thermoregulating mattress pad, you should wash your sheets, pillowcases, and mattress covers in hot water (at least 55°C or 130°F) weekly to eliminate sweat and prevent bacteria growth. If your mattress is double-sided, flip it to the summer side for cooler sleep and less sweating. Consider professional mattress cleaning for the winter side to tackle stains, odours, allergens, and dust mites. 

Read also: 6 Questions About Your Mattress Answered By a Professional Cleaner

Increased sweating can also become an issue for the upholstery too. To prevent your sofa from looking shabby and worn out, consider using a throw cover during the hottest months – the sebum and sweat will remain on the washable covers instead of the furniture fabrics.

Check also: 4 Ways to Restore and Maintain the Sofa Upholstery

Deep clean carpets and furniture to keep pests away. Cleaning your pet’s bed more often during summer also minimises the risk of infestations. Image by wirestock on Freepik

Keeping Summer Pests at Bay

During the summer, as we become more active, so do insects. Seal up your home’s entry points, install window screens, and use repellents to deter insects. Research targeted solutions for specific pest issues to prevent infestations. Regular deep cleaning of carpets, upholstery, and mattresses helps eliminate hiding spots for pests and their eggs. Professional deep cleaning removes deeply embedded dirt, preventing bacteria buildup that attracts pests. The hot water extraction carpet and furniture cleaning procedures effectively kill dust mites and allergens.

Check also: Summer Cleaning Tips for a Healthy & Pest-Free Home

Brushing your pet will help minimise pet hair on your sofa, and it’s also a wonderful bonding experience. Image by freepik

Summer Shedding and Furry Friends

Regularly brush your pets as shedding increases in summer. Keep a lint roller at hand for quick furniture touch-ups. For stubborn fur, use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Deep carpet cleaning effectively removes embedded fur from heavily fur-laden carpets. Also, you can check some of our professional tips on dealing with pet hair on upholstery and carpets.

Disinfect your bathroom with bleach while wearing gloves to protect your hands and prevent the spread of mould spores throughout your home.

Combating Mould and Mildew

Summer brings up humidity levels, which increases the risk of mould growth. Maintain low humidity levels and ensure good ventilation to prevent your home from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Ideally, the humidity levels in your home should be around 30- 50%. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Run bathroom fans during showers and leave doors open when you don’t use the area to allow proper airflow. 

Read also: 7 Ways to Deal with Mould at Home

To sanitise the bathroom, clean the surfaces like mirrors, tiles, and cabinets with vinegar and water. If you suspect there’s already mould growth, opt for the heavy artillery and get a bathroom cleaner containing bleach or bleach and water solution. Use silica gel packets or chalk in wardrobes to absorb moisture. Avoid leaving spills unattended, and fix any leaks, as even small amounts of standing water can result in mould growth.

When you book a professional cleaning in summer you can enjoy stain-free, sanitised carpets and upholstery, ready to use the same day!

Carpet and Furniture Cleaning is a Summer Essential

Summer is the perfect time to clean your carpets, furniture, and mattresses thoroughly. The warmer temperatures and improved ventilation help speed up the drying process. Another advantage of summer is that you can leave removable upholstery and furniture covers, as well as small area rugs, to dry outside in the sun. UV rays effectively kill bacteria and mould spores and help sanitise the fabrics. Essentially, deep cleaning furnishings in summer is an investment in your winter comfort.

Check also: 9 Questions About Stain Protecting Your Carpets and Upholstery

The Benefits of Booking Professional Cleaning Service This Summer

Professional services provide specialised deep cleaning techniques, expertise, and equipment to remove stubborn stains and restore your home’s appearance. Hiring cleaners saves time and effort, contributing to a healthier living space.

At Cleaner Cleaner, we offer professional carpet, upholstery, and mattress cleaning services. Our experienced team uses advanced methods and high-quality products for exceptional results. Contact us for a free quote and experience the difference professional cleaning can make.

We hope these tips help you enjoy a fresh, clean, and healthy home this summer.

Crumbs, spills, and food stains on the carpets can lure ants inside your home.

Summertime Problems: Increased Pest Activity

Summer brings sunshine, warm breezes, and the opportunity to spend more time outdoors. However, it also means a surge in pest activity. From pesky flies and mosquitoes to more troublesome critters like ants, fleas, bed bugs, and moths, warm weather provides the ideal conditions for these creatures to thrive and potentially invade your home.

You might also like:Is It Possible to Get an Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning at Home?

Why Should You Book Professional Cleaning of Carpets and Furniture in Summer 

Some pests are more persistent than others, and regular cleaning might be insufficient. Here are a few reasons why pest infestations are at their peak during the summer and how professional deep cleaning of carpet and furniture with hot water extraction can be your best defence: 

There are ways to open the windows to let the air in but keep the pests outside.

Open Doors = Open Invitations

We naturally keep our windows and doors open more often during the warmer months. Unfortunately, this invites pests like flies, mosquitoes, ants, cockroaches, and even rodents to enter your home. While keeping everything shut tight might seem extreme, there are ways to balance between fresh air and unwanted visitors. Here are some tips:

• Install fly screens: These fine-mesh barriers allow air circulation while keeping out pesky insects.
• Seal entry points: Check around windows, doors, and pipes for cracks or gaps pests could use to enter. Seal up the potential entry points with caulk or weather stripping.
• Consider pet screens: If you have furry friends, keeping them safe while enjoying the outdoor areas of your property is essential. Pet screens let in fresh air but prevent your pet from escaping. Having a designated pet area also allows you to keep the pests at bay by treating the area with tick and flea repellents.

Read also: 6 Proven Ways to Keep Your Furniture and Carpets Clean All Year Round

A short walk in the park can bring fleas and ticks to your home – even if you don’t have a pet.

We Bring the Outdoors In (Along with Hitchhikers)

Summer is a time for barbecues, picnics, and spending more time outdoors with our family and pets. However, these activities can also unknowingly bring pests back into your home.

Here’s how to minimise the risk:

• Perform a post-outing inspection: After spending time outdoors, especially in grassy or wooded areas, check yourself, your pets, and your belongings for hitchhiking insects or ticks.
• Brush off pets: Before letting your furry companions back inside, brush them outside the house to remove any potential hitchhikers. 
• Clean outdoor gear: Brush off dirt, leaves, and debris from shoes, bags, and picnic blankets before storing them indoors.

Read also: What Are the Best Ways to Remove Pet Hair Off of Furniture and Carpets

Carpets are ideal breeding grounds for various pests, including moths, bed bugs, fleas and carpet beetles.

Hidden Invaders: Where Pests Like to Lurk

Some pests, like moths, bed bugs, and fleas, are particularly sneaky. They can hide and breed in carpets, upholstery, and mattresses, creating unseen infestations. 

These soft furnishings provide the perfect breeding ground for pests, as they offer:

• Shelter: Carpets, upholstery, and mattresses offer a dark, protected environment for pests to hide and lay eggs.
• Food Source: Crumbs, shed skin, pet dander, and other organic debris can attract pests and provide them with sustenance.
• Nesting Sites: The soft fibres of carpets and upholstery create ideal nesting spots for pests to build their homes.

Check also: How to Clean Your Mattress at Home?

Besides being an efficient method to keep pests away, deep cleaning your carpets and furnishings in summer has a few other undeniable benefits.

Professional Upholstery and Carpet Cleaning for a Summertime Peace of Mind

Regular deep cleaning of carpets, upholstery, and mattresses is crucial for keeping your home healthy, hygienic and pest-free. 

Here’s why summer is the perfect time to schedule a professional deep clean:

• Faster drying times: The warmer summer weather translates to faster drying times for carpets and upholstery after cleaning.
• Reduced risk of mould growth: Moisture left behind after cleaning can lead to mould growth.  Summer’s warmth helps eliminate this risk.
• Improved air quality: Deep cleaning removes dust, allergens, and pest, leading to cleaner and healthier air for you and your family.

Read also: Which Is The Best Carpet Cleaning Method?

Regular deep carpet cleaning keeps your kids’ bedroom sanitised and free of allergens and bacteria.

The Power of Hot Water Extraction: Your Pest Control Ally

At Cleaner Cleaner, we use the hot water extraction method (a.k.a. professional steam cleaning) to thoroughly clean carpets, upholstery, and mattresses. 

This method offers several advantages in the fight against pests:

• High temperatures: The hot water used in extraction reaches temperatures around 50°C. This is enough to loosen deeply settled dirt allowing the powerful vacuum to extract it, thus creating a more hygienic environment that won’t attract pests.
• Deep cleaning power: The high-pressure steam penetrates deep into the fibres of carpets and upholstery, reaching areas with trapped bacteria and allergens.
• Safe and effective: Hot water extraction is a safe and eco-friendly method that uses minimal cleaning solutions for maximal cleaning results.

Check also: What Is The Best Time of The Year to Clean Your Carpets?

Prolonged exposure to sunlight also helps deal with some pests, eggs, and allergens, so if possible – hang your laundry to air dry outside.

DIY Cleaning Tips for a Pest-Free Home

Here’s what else you can do to minimise the risk of pest infestations this summer:

• Vacuum regularly: Vacuum your carpets, upholstery, and mattresses at least twice a week, paying close attention to high-traffic areas, edges, and corners. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to trap dust mites, allergens, and even small insects.
• Steam clean: Steam cleaning removes dust mites, can help loosen deeply settled dust, and sanitises surfaces and fabrics. You can rent a steam cleaner or call a specialised upholstery and carpet cleaning service for a more thorough job.
• Wash bedding regularly: Wash your sheets, pillowcases, and mattress covers in hot water (at least 55°C) every week, especially in summer. High-temperature washing kills pests and their eggs, preventing them from multiplying.
• Declutter and minimise storage under furniture: Pests thrive in cluttered environments. To make it harder for them to hide, declutter your home and minimise storage under furniture.

Read also: Things You Need to Know When Cleaning Your Upholstered Furniture

Cleaner Cleaner: Your Best Bet for a Pest-Free Summer at Home

At Cleaner Cleaner, we utilise the hot water extraction method for deep carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning to eliminate pests, allergens, and bacteria from your textile floorings, soft furniture, and mattresses. Don’t let pests take over your home this summer! Contact us today for a free quote and take advantage of our expertise!

Our years of experience as certified stain removal experts taught us that, ironically, most accidents happen within the first month of owning a new carpet or sofa. Why take the risk of a permanent stain on your brand-new investment? You wouldn’t hesitate to put a case and screen protector on your new phone – why wouldn’t you extend the same protection to your expensive carpets and furniture? After all, there’s a treatment that provides an affordable way to safeguard your valuable carpets and upholstery.

At Cleaner Cleaner, we’re proud to offer professional stain protection services alongside our deep cleaning. But before you book, let’s explore some fundamental questions about stain protection:

Does Stain Protection Affect Cleaning?

One common concern is whether stain protection makes it harder to deep clean carpets and upholstery. The answer is no! Certified fibre care specialists like Cleaner Cleaner use high-powered alkaline detergents that effectively break down the bond holding the stain protection to the textile. If anything, stain protection allows faster and safer deep cleaning as the grime does not get into the fibres but sticks to the protective coating.

Read also: How to protect your carpets and furniture from stains when painting and decorating?

When applied correctly, stain protection coating effectively repels liquid stains and prevents dirt from adhering to the fibres.

How Stain Protection Works?

Stain protection treatments work in several ways:

Coating the fibres: The product creates a barrier that makes it difficult for particles to stick to the fibres.

Blocking pores: The treatment fills in tiny cracks and pores in the fibres, preventing the absorption of liquids and dirt.

Easier stain removal: The repellent coating allows spills to bead on the surface, making them easier to blot up and remove before they set in. This also helps prevent dirt from embedding in the fibres, making vacuuming more effective.  

Stain protection can significantly extend the lifespan of carpets and upholstery by preventing dirt and debris from accumulating deep down.

Check also: 6 Expert Tips to Help You Protect Your Furniture and Carpets and Keep Them Clean All Year Round

When you get anti-stain treatment for your new furnishings you are protecting your investment. Image by freepik

Types of Stain Repellent Products

Two main types of stain protection products are used for carpets and upholstery: water- and solvent-based. The best type for your furnishings depends on the material:

Water-based: This is the most common type and is generally applied after a professional cleaning or to brand-new furniture and carpets. As the name implies, it’s suitable for water-cleanable fabrics only. It’s typically spread with a hand sprayer and may wear off faster than solvent-based options.

Solvent-based: This coating is highly recommended for newly installed carpets and upholstery and is especially suitable for delicate fabrics. Solvent-based stain protection coating can be applied to all fibres and fabrics as long as they are dry.

Read also: Decoding Upholstery Labels Can Help You Choose the Best Sofa for Your Needs

Which Type of Stain Protection Works Better?

Both types of stain protection create a protective barrier around the fibres, repelling water- and oil-based stains and dirt.

• Water-based: More versatile and can be used on most fabrics, including right after hot water extraction cleaning when carpets and upholstery are still slightly damp.
• Solvent-based: Ideal for brand-new carpets and upholstery, dry textile surfaces, and delicate fabrics like viscose and bamboo silk. It’s also a good choice for highly absorbent fabrics like linen and cotton.

We always test an inconspicuous area before applying any stain protection product, especially on moisture-sensitive fabrics. This check-up helps us determine whether a water — or solvent-based product is best for the material.

Check also: What Kind of Upholstery Fabric to Choose for Easy Care of Your Furniture

The stain-repellent coating we apply effectively protects almost all types of fibres.

Is Stain Protection Treatment Suitable for All Types of Fabrics?

Most carpets and upholstery fabrics respond well to the high-quality stain protection products we use at Cleaner Cleaner. Our stain repellent is effective on a wide variety of materials, including delicate, luxurious, and high-maintenance carpets and upholstery:

• Polypropylene (without stain protection, oil and grease stains are nearly impossible to remove from polypropylene)
• Acrylics
• White wool rugs 
• Oriental rugs (may require a bit more careful application)
• Non-colourfast fabrics (we recommend doing a test first)

Stain protection coating is suitable for various fibres used in carpets and upholstery, except for some dry-clean-only textiles. If you are unsure about the type of materials used in your furnishings or you see a “dry clean only” label, contact our certified fabric care specialists for advice. We can recommend the most appropriate cleaning and protective products for your carpets and furniture.

Read also: How to Clean and Maintain Your Handmade Oriental Rug

Getting a stain protection treatment for your new mattress will keep it in a good shape for years to come.

This Treatment Isn’t Meant Only for Carpets and Sofas

People most often get a stain-repellent coating for their carpets and soft furniture. However, in our experience, this treatment benefits all textile items used daily or placed in high-traffic areas. In addition to carpets and sofas, the protective coating helps maintain all types of furnishings. Stain protection treatment effectively extends the lifespan of area rugs, upholstered headboards, mattresses, and fabric dining chairs by keeping them hygienic and stain-free.

Check also: 6 Questions About Your Mattress You Always Wanted to Ask a Cleaning Specialist

Stain protection treatment should last until you schedule your next deep cleaning appointment.

How Long Does Stain Protection Last?

The stain protection applied after cleaning or to new furnishings can last 1-2 years, depending on foot traffic and how often the carpet or upholstery is deep cleaned. We highly recommend reapplying stain protection after every deep clean, ideally at least once a year. High-traffic areas, family rooms, and homes with pets may benefit from more frequent reapplication, perhaps every six months. Regular vacuuming also helps extend the life of the stain protection by removing abrasive dirt particles that can wear down the coating. It’s important to note that stain protection must be reapplied after every professional cleaning, even on carpets and fabrics pre-treated from the factory.

Read also: What time of the year is best to have your carpets cleaned?

When you have stain protection coating on your furnishings and spill something, it is enough to gently blot out the dirt with a paper towel. Image by freepik

Can Stains Still Penetrate the Barrier?

When applied correctly and regularly, the stain protection products we use create a virtually impenetrable barrier. Spills will simply bead up on the surface of the fabric. After that, all you need to do is to grab a clean cloth or paper towel and soak the spilled dirt.

Check also: Which is the best Carpet Cleaning Method?

We can do the stain protection treatment separately or as a part of our deep upholstery and carpet cleaning services

How Do You Apply the Stain Repellent Coating?

At Cleaner Cleaner, we have a meticulous application process to ensure complete coverage:

Step 1: Fine Mist Spray: We use a specialised sprayer to apply the product in a fine mist, coating all sides of the fibres.

Step 2: Multi-directional Application: We apply the protector in four directions to ensure even coverage.

Step 3: Brushing and Smoothing: We gently brush or use a glove to distribute the product evenly across the surface.

You might also like: Designing for Elegance and Endurance: Material Must-Haves for Luxury Communal Spaces

The stain protection products we work with can be used in homes with small children and pets.

Are Stain Protection Products Safe?

We get this question a lot, which is understandable given the bad rap Scotchguard got in the late 90s. In 1999, 3M released data about chemicals in their product Scotchgard. PFOA and PFOS were found in the environment and can’t decompose in nature. High dosages caused cancer and death in lab rats, while lower doses resulted in developmental problems in humans and animals. In 2000, 3M discontinued Scotchgard production and created a new formula containing PFBS, which is considered not toxic by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

However, we use Alltec stain protectors, a trusted U.K. brand known for its safety and effectiveness. When dry, their water- and solvent-based products are non-toxic and safe for pets and children. The products are biodegradable and not identified as a PBT/vPvB substance.

Read also: Successful Stain Removal is a Matter of Chemistry

Gain a Peace of Mind with Stain Protection

Stain protection is an investment that goes a long way in protecting your carpets and upholstery. Many companies offer this service, but the key is finding one that uses the right products and applies them correctly.

Here at Cleaner Cleaner, we understand the importance of protecting your investment. We recommend keeping the care tag or label for your furniture and carpets so we can determine the best treatment for your specific needs.

We’ve tested various brands and chosen Alltec for its effectiveness and safety. Their stain protectors work for almost all carpets and upholstery, subject to professional testing, offering long-lasting protection until your next professional cleaning.

And here’s an extra perk: if you’ve used our stain protection service and experienced a stain, we’ll offer a 50% discount on stain removal!

So, if you want to protect your furnishings, don’t hesitate to contact us today and book our stain protection service.

You might also like: 9 Things You Need to Know About Stain Protection for Carpets and Upholstery

When selecting carpets, certain patterns can help conceal dirt until the next scheduled deep carpet cleaning.

The Importance of Practical Design in Luxurious Shared Areas

The communal areas in these buildings, such as lobbies, fitness centres, movie halls, and more, are much more than just hallways and gathering spaces. They are extensions of the residents’ homes and social hubs that reflect the building’s prestige. Therefore, choosing appropriate materials for these high-traffic areas is crucial, as they need to withstand daily wear and tear while remaining luxurious and inviting.

You might also like: Pros and Cons of Getting a Viscose Rug

As certified fabric care specialists with years of experience in these environments, we’ve witnessed firsthand the impact material choices have on the longevity and hygiene of these shared areas. Our guide offers insights on selecting the perfect materials that balance aesthetics, durability, and hygiene to maintain the elegance and functionality of communal spaces in high-end buildings. 

Check also: How to Care for Your Togo Sofa to Prolong Its Life

Furniture with lots of details, fold and crevices is a major dust magnet and is not the best option for communal areas.

The Nemesis of Luxury: Common Woes in Communal Spaces

While undeniably glamorous, London’s high-end buildings’ communal areas contend with unique foes. High traffic translates to dirt and grime. Tracked-in mud, dust, beverage spills, food stains, and pet accidents are frequent occurrences. Carpets in high-traffic zones can trap allergens and become breeding grounds for bacteria. Furniture upholstery falls victim to pen marks, dust, and general wear and tear.

You might also like: How to Care for a Velvet Sofa the Right Way

Functional problems arise, too — poorly placed furniture can obstruct traffic and make cleaning take forever. Inadequate lighting not only creates safety hazards but can also highlight dirt and wear. Another problem unique to communal areas is the very openness that makes these spaces grand, as it can lead to noise concerns, as sounds travel easily throughout open-plan areas. Understanding these challenges is key to selecting materials and layouts that promote beauty and functionality. 

Read also: How to Maintain Your Iconic Camaleonda Sofa?

How to Choose Materials for Upscale Communal Areas

You want a few key features in the floorings, furnishings and accessories in the communal spaces in a residential building. Here’s how to create a beautiful and lasting interior:

Choose fade-resistant fabrics for areas with a lot of direct sunlight. Image by Freepik

Durability is King

First and foremost, prioritise durability. These spaces are shared by many, so materials need to be tough enough to handle constant use.

• Floors: Opt for hard surfaces like engineered hardwood, porcelain tile, or high-quality laminate. Another great option is granite and concrete floors, but only if you seal these materials. These are easy to clean, resistant to scratches and stains, and can handle heavy foot traffic. 
• Carpets: While carpets add a touch of comfort, limit their use to low-traffic areas. Consider area rugs with easy-to-clean materials like wool or stain-resistant synthetics in high-traffic zones. Remember, natural fibres like wool often clean more easily than synthetics. Plush carpets may add a touch of luxury, but they’re prone to showing dirt and wear faster, requiring more frequent and intensive cleaning.
• Furniture: Choose furniture with sturdy frames, ideally made from metal, solid wood, or high-density composite materials. Select furniture with smooth surfaces and minimal crevices where dirt can accumulate. Pick stain-resistant fabrics like polyester blends or vinyl for the upholstery. While undeniably luxurious, leather is susceptible to spills and unsightly scratches and requires special care. Choose fabrics that are fade-resistant in areas exposed to direct sunlight to prevent fading. Alternatively, you can reduce the intensity of direct sunlight by adding a film to the windows.
• Walls: Luxury vinyl wallcoverings offer the best of both worlds – the look and feel of fabric or wallpaper with the easy cleaning benefits of vinyl. They resist scratches, stains, and dust, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.

Check also: How to Choose Durable and Easy to Care Upholstery Fabric for Your Furniture

With the right design tiles can turn the entrance and reception area in a bright and welcoming space. Image by Freepik

Functionality Meets Finesse

Durability doesn’t have to come at the expense of aesthetics.

• Colour and Pattern: Consider colours and patterns that hide dirt and scuffs well. Opt for neutral palettes or textured fabrics that mask imperfections. Bold pops of colour can be introduced through artwork or accessories, which are easier to replace when they show wear.
• Timeless Design: Invest in classic, well-made pieces that won’t go out of style quickly. Trendy elements can be incorporated through decorative accents, allowing you to update the space quickly and affordably.
• Easy Maintenance: Select furniture with smooth, non-porous surfaces that can be wiped clean with minimal effort. Avoid intricate details and exposed woodwork that trap dust and dirt.

Read also: How to Choose a Comfortable and Durable Sofa

Thick laminate flooring is a great choice for kid corners and family areas. Image by Freepik

Child-Friendly Luxury

Many luxury buildings cater to families and young couples, so it’s best to prepare and embrace the future. Here’s how to create a space that’s both beautiful and resilient:

• Performance Fabrics: Opt for fabrics with stain and water-resistant finishes. Consider Crypton fabrics, which repel liquids and make cleaning a breeze.
• Sealed Surfaces: Have natural stone or limestone floors professionally sealed to prevent stains and scuffs.
• Furniture: Opt for durable, easily wipeable furniture with rounded corners to minimise the risk of injury. Consider choosing vinyl or vinylized patterned fabrics for sofas, chairs and other high-contact areas.
• Smart Furniture Placement: Avoid placing delicate furniture near exits or high-traffic areas. Opt for lightweight, easily movable pieces in these zones.
• Customisable Comfort: Consider incorporating modular furniture that can be rearranged based on needs. This allows for flexibility and accommodates different uses of the space.

Check also: 6 Ways to Keep Furniture and Carpets Clean All Year Round

Lighting designs that look beautiful but trap dust are impractical for busy communal areas. Image by mrsiraphol on Freepik

Beyond the Basics

• Ceiling Savvy: Soaring ceilings can add grandeur, but ornate light fixtures become dust magnets. Opt for sleek LED downlights with easy-to-access panels for maintenance. Consider PVC crown moulding to conceal unsightly wires and create a polished finish.
• Embrace Technology: Invest in antimicrobial surfaces, especially in high-touch areas like elevator buttons or door handles. This can help reduce the spread of germs, making the space healthier for residents.

Selecting suitable materials helps keeping maintenance schedules and expenses more organized and cost-effective. Image by freepik

Time Schedule for Keeping it Spotless 

Regular cleaning is paramount to maintaining the luxurious feel of your communal spaces. Here are some tips:

• High-Traffic Areas: Focus on frequent cleaning in high-traffic areas like elevator landings, lobbies, and fitness centres. Daily vacuuming for hard floors and spot-cleaning of upholstery will go a long way.
• Deep Cleaning: Schedule regular deep cleaning services to tackle stubborn dirt, dust build-up, and carpet stains.
• Professional Touch: Consider hiring a professional cleaning company with experience in luxury residential buildings, like Cleaner Cleaner. We have the equipment and expertise to ensure a thorough and gentle carpet cleaning and upholstery care that will preserve the lifespan of your furnishings.

Read also: Carpet vs. Wood Flooring for a Rental Property – a Landlord’s Guide to the Best Choice

By following these tips and utilising the expertise of professional cleaners, you can ensure your London upscale residence’s communal spaces remain stunning, durable, and a source of pride for residents for years to come. Remember, creating a luxurious and long-lasting space is all about striking a balance between beauty, functionality, and ease of maintenance.

Read also: How to Clean a Wool Rug

Oriental rugs require specific care, even for a task as simple as dusting and vacuuming.

How to Remove Dust and Dirt from Your Oriental Rug?

Whether you own a vintage Persian rug or a contemporary Turkish kilim, keeping them free from dirt and dust is important. Trapped dirt can cause permanent damage to the natural fibres of these handmade pieces and, over time, make your carpet look dingy and grimy. So, here are some tips that can help you keep your Oriental rug dust and dirt-free:

• Vacuum regularly: We recommend hoovering your Oriental rug at least once a week, even more often if it’s placed in a high-traffic area. Regular vacuuming is necessary for every carpet, but this is especially important for Oriental rugs. 
• Move the vacuum in the direction of the fibres: Run the vacuum head slowly toward the rug’s nap (the direction in which the fibres lie). 
• Clean the rug’s fringe: When cleaning an Oriental carpet, paying particular attention to the fringe tassels is essential. These tassels are the most delicate part of the rug and can quickly become undone, torn, or worn out. Over time, this can cause the rug’s knots to pull away and unravel. If you want to vacuum the fringe of your Oriental rug, it’s best to use the upholstery brush attachment. This attachment is gentle and won’t suck or pull the tassels as hard as the floor head attachment, which can cause damage to the tassels.
• Avoid using the retractable brush on the vacuum head: These attachments are usually coarse, and running them over the carpet can damage the fibres. When vacuuming, use only the floor head.
• Get a soft-bristle brush: If there is some debris ingrained in the pile, use a soft bristle brush to loosen it before vacuuming your rug.
• Clean the back of the rug: Flip the carpet over to expose its backside and vacuum it. You can also use a brush to loosen the dirt on the back.
• Beating vs. Vacuuming: If you have a powerful vacuum cleaner and are concerned that it might pull and warp the fibres of your carpet, you can try the old-school method of cleaning your rug. Remove the carpet from the floor and take it outside. Then, shake and beat it gently to remove dirt and dust manually. This method is especially recommended for braided or hand-hooked rugs rather than flat weave types.

Check also: How to Choose the Best Rug for Your Living Room

If your space receives a lot of direct sunlight during the day, the colours of your Oriental rug will fade faster.

How to Preserve the Colours of Your Oriental Rug?

The beautiful colours of handmade carpets often originate from natural and plant-based dyes. For instance, ancient Persian rugs were dyed using dried, ground madder root for reds, cochineal for reds (although this was less common), indigo for blues, weld for yellow, sequential dyeing in indigo and weld for green, walnut husks for brown and camel, and other vegetal substances for other colours. Even today, many Oriental rugs are still dyed with natural materials. Compared to chemical dyes, natural dyes give the wool a shine that is hard to surpass. Moreover, the natural dyestuffs are harmless and are becoming popular again. However, these dyes are less stable than contemporary fabric dyes, so you must take certain steps to prevent the colours from fading.

You might also like: How to clean the 3 most common types of carpets

• Keep away from direct sunlight:
  • Natural dyes, such as those found in oriental rugs, are susceptible to fading when exposed to direct sunlight. UV rays take out red colours first, as well as other strong saturated colours.
  • Keep your oriental rug away from windows to prevent colour fading.
  • Consider using thick drapes to shield the rug from sunlight exposure.
• Rotate Regularly:
  • Rotate your oriental rug periodically to ensure even wear and prevent colours from fading unevenly.
• Get UV Blocking Window Film:
  • Covering windows with UV-blocking film provides another layer of protection against UV rays, which are a primary cause of discolouration in oriental rugs.
  • The film effectively blocks harmful UV rays while still allowing natural light into the room, preserving the rug’s vibrancy and longevity.

Read also: How to Care for a Synthetic Rug

Natural dyes give your Oriental rug luscious hues but are unstable, so stain cleaning is better left to a professional.

How to Remove a Stain From Your Oriental Rug?

Accidents happen, but when you spill something into your Moroccan, Persian, or Tabriz rug, we don’t recommend trying to remove the stain yourself. There are a few reasons why DIY spot treatment is a bad idea for Oriental rugs:

• People tend to oversoak their rugs during DIY cleanings; however, natural fibres absorb a lot of water, leading to warping or shrinkage of the carpet when it gets dry.
• Soaking the carpet may also cause colour bleeding.
• If you fail to dry the carpet properly, this can lead to deterioration of the fibres and mildew.
• Store-bought stain removal products often contain ingredients that can cause colour bleeding; for example, alkaline cleaning products dissolve unstable natural dyes.
• Soap leaves a residue that attracts more dirt if not well-rinsed.

Still, if you DO have to spill something, here’s what to do before the cleaner arrives: 

• Carefully scrape off any solid bits with a spoon without rubbing the carpet, as this can push the dirt deeper into the fibres.
• Blot up excess liquid immediately with a clean, white absorbent cloth. You can also use thick paper towels.
• Never rub, as this can spread the stain.
• Schedule stain removal and deep cleaning service with an experienced carpet cleaner.

You might also like: What Are the Best Ways to Remove Pet Hair Off of Furniture and Carpets   

Remember:

• • If you DO decide to use stain removal products, always test it on an inconspicuous area of the rug before applying it to the entire surface.
  • Never use harsh chemicals, bleach, or steam cleaners on any handmade rug.
  • Consult a professional rug cleaner if you’re unsure about any cleaning method.

Check also: Stain Removal Is a Matter of Chemical Reactions

Handmade wollen and silk rugs are an ideal source of food for pests’ larvae.

How to Protect Your Oriental Rug From Pests?

Oriental rugs, particularly those made of wool and silk, can be prone to pest infestations. These types of fibres are rich in protein, making them an excellent food source for carpet beetles and carpet moths. Both species are widespread pests and can cause significant damage to rugs, carpets, kilims, and other natural fibre furnishings. They typically lay their eggs in dark, hard-to-reach corners of the house, such as behind furniture. Once the larvae hatch, they begin consuming any natural textile items nearby. Unfortunately, it’s often too late when you spot them, and the damage is done. Once Oriental rugs have been damaged, they lose their value even if repaired by professionals. Here are some tips to follow to protect your valuable Oriental carpet:

• Vacuum regularly around the house to prevent infestations. 
• Every now and then, check hard-to-reach spaces and the furniture around to clean and inspect for larvae.
• Store items susceptible to pest infestation, such as food, woollens, and furs, in insect-proof containers.

Read also: Things You Can Do to Keep Your Carpets Clean

A rug care specialist can help you prolong your Oriental carpet’s life and turn it into a family heirloom.

Deep Cleaning Your Oriental Rug

Oriental rugs need deep cleaning to maintain their value. We recommend professional carpet cleaning at least once every two years, more frequently if the rug is placed in a high-traffic area. Certified rug cleaners have the expertise and equipment to handle deep cleaning, stain removal, and fringe care, ensuring your carpet retains its vibrancy. So, don’t hesitate to contact us if you need deep cleaning or stain removal for your Oriental rug. 

By following these simple tips, you can ensure your treasured Persian, Moroccan, or Tabriz rug continues to bring you joy for years.

You might also like: Christmas Cleaning in 2 Days (or Less): A Practical Guide for Time-Strapped People

Before you continue, it might be helpful to read our post Stain removal is a matter of chemistry. You can also check our post on different types of upholstery fabrics and how to take the best care of them for more useful insights.

Cheerful toasts often result in red wine spilt on both clothes and furnishings. Image by Freepik

1. Red Wine, Port or Cognac

Red wine, mulled wine, or even a splash of port can make for a festive and enjoyable holiday toast. However, accidents can happen, and wine pills can leave behind stubborn stains on furnishings. If you find yourself dealing with a red wine stain after a Christmas get-together, don’t worry! Here is how to treat the spill and salvage your carpet or sofa:

• Blot up as much wine as possible with a clean, dry cloth if the stain is fresh. 
• Apply dishwashing soap mixed with water to the stain and blot gently with a sponge.
• Rinse with cold water and continue blotting until the stain lightens. 
• Rinse with clean water and let it air-dry completely.
• If the stain has dried up, using a carpet stain remover like Wine Away or Chateau Spill may be better. Follow the instructions on the product label. 

Check also: How to Clean a Carpet at Home – DIY Guide

Rich meaty sauces are the perfect addition to the Christmas turkey, but can leave a nasty stain on the carpet. Image:  Robert Owen-Wahl

2. Gravy and other meaty and greasy sauces

Can Christmas dinner be considered complete without the rich flavour of gravy? We don’t think so! The darker and thicker the sauce, the tastier it is. However, it is also more difficult to clean. Therefore, before attempting to remove a gravy stain from your furnishings, please consider the 5 tips at the end of the article. To remove gravy stains from your carpet or sofa, follow these steps:

• Remove any solids and blot excess gravy. 
• Sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda over the stain. 
• Leave the powder on the stain for at least 30 minutes. 
• Vacuum the powder thoroughly. 
• Mix 1 tbsp dish soap, 2 cups of warm water, and 1 tbsp ammonia if the stain persists. 
• Blot the stain with a clean sponge dipped into the solution. 
• Rinse with clean water and blot dry.

Read also: How to Remove Grease Stains From Upholstery Fabrics

The vibrant red colour of cranberry sauce can be quite a challenge to remove from carpet and upholstery. Image: Flickr

3. Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce spills can become stubborn stains and an unpleasant memory of the holiday dinner if not cleaned up promptly. This is because cranberries contain anthocyanins, which are highly pigmented and give red foods and beverages their intense colour. In fact, anthocyanins are commonly used in the food industry as natural colourants. However, cranberry sauce stains are tough to remove since the sauce is also sticky and gooey due to the added sugar. Here’s how to deal with a cranberry sauce stain on your carpet or upholstery:

• Scrape away any excess cranberry sauce using a dull knife or the edge of a spoon.
• Mix a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
• Using a clean cloth or sponge, blot the stain with the solution.
• Continue blotting until the stain lightens.
• Rinse the affected area with clean water and blot dry.
• If the stain persists, consider using a specialised carpet or upholstery stain remover. Be sure to follow the product instructions carefully.

Check also: 6 Ways to Keep Furniture and Carpets Clean All Year Round

Decadents deserts are the star of every festive dinner but nobody likes to remove chocolate from their upholstery. Image by vecstock 

4. Chocolate

During holiday celebrations, hot cocoa, chocolate cakes, and candies are always crowd-pleasers. However, chocolate stains can be quite stubborn to remove from carpets and upholstery. If your furnishings are dark or brown, you might even miss seeing the spots at first. Eventually, the stains will become visible due to milk, butter, and other fatty ingredients present in chocolate. Therefore, inspecting your furnishings for stains and crumbs after your Christmas feast is a good idea. Here’s how you can remove chocolate stains from your carpet and furniture:

• First, gently scrape off any lumpy bits on the surface using a flat knife or spatula.
• Apply carpet and upholstery stain-removal product. 
• Start blotting the area using paper towels or a clean white cloth.
• Reapply the product and keep blotting until the stain is no longer lifting.
• Rinse the area thoroughly by blotting it with a clean cloth dipped in cold water.
• Blot the surface with a dry, clean cloth and let the spot dry before using your furnishings.

Read also: How to Remove Greasy Stains From Your Carpet?

Children often want to be a part of the toast and some of their fruit juice can end on the carpet. Image by Freepik

5. Fruit juices and soft drinks

When children want something colourful in their glasses like adults, they cannot drink alcohol, so we give them fruit juice. Sadly, most fruit juices are brightly coloured, and kids, excited by the Christmas spirit, are the ones who spill the most often. There’s no use in getting angry with the children and ruining your Christmas mood. Instead, you can follow these simple steps to clean a fruit juice stain from your carpet or furniture.

• Blot up as much of the juice as possible using a paper towel or clean cloth
• Mix 2/3 cup of water with ½ cup of white household vinegar into a spray bottle and apply it to the juice stain.
• Blot the vinegar out using a clean, damp sponge.
• Mix 1 tbsp dishwasher detergent with a cup of warm water. Apply this onto the fruit juice stain and blot.
• Rinse the area using cold water and a damp paper towel.

Check also: The Ultimate Guide to Sofa Stain Removal

All the excitement among the youngest family members can lead to accidents on carpets and mattresses. Image by mdjaff on Freepik

6. Urine

During the holiday season, experts often write about removing stains caused by gravies, wine, sauces, and other festive menu items. However, many people seem to avoid discussing stains caused by wetting accidents, even though they are very common. In fact, it’s not a surprise that the abundance of foods and drinks during Christmas festivities results in urine stains left by the youngest family members. Here’s how to treat urine stains on carpets, mattresses or upholstery:

• Put on a pair of heavy-duty cleaning gloves.*
• Grab a few rags or a bunch of paper towels, and soak the urine as quickly as possible.** 
• Mix 1 cup of distilled white vinegar and 1 cup of water in a small bowl or spray bottle.
• Damp a clean sponge into your cleaning solution and blot the affected area, but try not to saturate it. Repeat a few times.  
• Use paper towels or a dry cloth to blot out the cleaning mixture.
• Rinse away any vinegar residue by blotting with a clean sponge dipped in lukewarm water. Repeat until you make sure there’s no cleaning solution on the carpet or upholstery. 
• Use dry, clean rags or paper towels to soak the residual water. 
• Let the carpet air-dry away from direct sunlight or heat.

* Always wear gloves when dealing with organic stains like urine, faeces, vomit or blood to avoid potential health issues.

**If the urine stain has dried, we strongly recommend you book a stain removal specialist to help you remove the strong smell and ensure your carpet or mattress is pristine.

For more information you can read our comprehensive guide on urine stain removal.

Heavy foods can lead to nausea, so it’s not surprising vomit is among the most common stains after a holiday get-together. Image by benzoix on Freepik

7. Vomit

When it comes to uncomfortable topics, we can’t ignore vomit, which is another unpleasant stain that might surface during the holidays. The rich holiday menu, topped with plenty of alcohol, can get the best of us and make us feel a bit sick. Young children may also eat more than their stomachs can handle. As a result, it’s not surprising that vomit is among the most common stains during holiday get-togethers at home. Once you’ve ensured that the person who vomited is okay, the next thing you need to focus on is the vomit stain. Here’s how to deal with it:

• Grab a pair of cleaning gloves, as vomit can be potentially infectious.
• Scrape any solid bits from the surface using a flat knife or spatula.
• Mix 1 cup of water with a few tbsp of baking soda. Apply the solution onto the stain. 
• The baking soda neutralises the high acidity of stomach acid. This will prevent damage to the carpet or upholstery material.
• Blot the area to lift the remaining liquid.
• We strongly advise you to stop the DIY treatment at this point, even if there’s still visible colouration from the vomit. The reason is that vomit can be quite complex, consisting of various foods and beverages, especially after a holiday dinner. It is best to cover the stain with a clean towel to prevent spreading the substance and call a certified stain removal specialist.

Read also: How to Remove Blood Stains from Carpet and Upholstery?

Sometimes you might need to loosen the dried up dirt on the carpet with a brush. Image by Freepik

5 Tips for Successful Stain Removal from Upholstery and Carpets

If we spill something on our clothes, we can easily remove the garment and soak it in water to remove the dirt. However, the stain removal process is quite different when dealing with a spill from the Christmas dinner on carpets or furniture. We must be careful not to spread the stain or oversoak the spot to avoid ruining the furnishings. Additionally, carpet and upholstery stains may not be noticed immediately, unlike a spill on clothes. Therefore, it’s essential to keep in mind the following tips from carpet and upholstery cleaning professionals while cleaning stains from carpets or furniture after a festive dinner:

• Act quickly, as some stains are almost impossible to remove once they dry.
• Don’t treat a stain if you’re unsure of its origin. Some dried foods can look alike, making it challenging to identify and remove.
• Using multiple cleaning products to treat a stain will likely make it worse.
• If you are uncertain about the type of fabric or material you are dealing with, it is best to refrain from cleaning it yourself. Instead, seek the help of a professional stain removal service.
• If you need to wait for a stain removal specialist but want to avoid spreading the dirt, cover the spot with a clean rag or paper towel.

You might also like: 9 Things You Need to Know About Stain Protection for Carpets and Upholstery

Don’t hesitate to contact us whenever you need help getting your home immaculately cleaned. Our cleaning experts will remove even stubborn stains and dirt and bring back the as-new look of your carpets, furniture and mattresses.

We hope our tips will help keep your home nice and clean during the festive season. The CleanerCleaner team wishes you happy holidays!

Check also: 6 Ways to Keep Furniture and Carpets Clean All Year Round

To understand why paint is so challenging to remove from carpets and upholstery, you must first understand its properties. Image by atlascompany

What are the differences between water and oil-based paints?

When discussing whether a paint is oil-based or water-based, we are essentially referring to the kind of solvent incorporated into the paint, which constitutes the liquid element of the paint that evaporates during the drying process. Oil-based paints (sometimes inaccurately termed enamel) employ an organic solvent in their composition, typically mineral turpentine. As the name implies, water-based paints (emulsion paints like latex or acrylic) primarily consist of water as their solvent.

Read also: How to Clean a Carpet at Home – DIY Guide

The easy cleaning of paint stains on the carpet is a myth. Here’s why: 

Before we delve into the most effective methods of safeguarding your carpet from stains during decoration, it’s essential to examine the properties of paints utilised in domestic settings. In doing so, we aim to debunk the notion that a paint stain on a carpet is a trivial matter that can be effortlessly cleansed.

Read also: Stain removal is a matter of chemistry

Emulsion paint is used for both interior and exterior walls.

Emulsion paint

Water-based paints (emulsion paints both latex and acrylic) contain around 50 per cent water – some more, some less, depending on the brand and variation. They are preferred for larger areas like interior and exterior walls because water makes the paint more workable and easier to apply. Yes, acrylic and latex paints can be relatively easily cleaned while still wet. But when the paint dries, and especially when it comes to textiles, there are other factors besides what the paint is based on that can cause a permanent stain. Water-based paints contain various ingredients called polymers that are used to give the finished product its desired qualities – coverage, sheen, durability, washability and so on. With the evaporation of water, these molecules get closer together, forming strong bonds and creating a waterproof barrier.

When emulsion dries up on a hard surface, you can still scrape it off and clean the spot relatively easily. But the outcomes are quite different when a paint spill gets onto the carpet. The particles in the paint attach to the carpet fibres, and the stain becomes extremely difficult to remove. Also, if you are using a more saturated colour, the pigments can blemish the carpet beyond cleaning.

Oil-based paints are used mainly for doors, window frames and furniture.

Oil-based paints 

Oil-based paints exhibit exceptional durability and can endure regular handling, making them preferred for mouldings, skirting boards, and furniture. Besides the oil content (usually turpentine), oil-based paints contain resin. This substance creates a non-porous surface that is highly resistant to stains and rust as time passes. However, it is worth noting that oil-based paints emit a more potent odour than their water-based counterparts and necessitate a longer drying period. They also pose greater challenges when it comes to cleaning.

When the spill is still fresh, you have the best chance to clean oil-based paint from any surface. It would be best to always keep paint thinner and turpentine at hand whenever you use such paint. When the stain is dry, removing oil-based paint from any surface, let alone the fibres of your carpet, is quite challenging.

The absence of floor cover on this image makes us want to pull our hair out! Don’t be that person, check how to protect your carpets and floors. Image by Freepik

What to use to protect carpets from stains when painting and decorating the house?

Now that you know the properties of paints, it is easier to understand why it is crucial to take precautions and protect your carpet when redecorating at home. There are different options to help you prevent paint stains on your carpet when painting, whether it’s painting the walls, furnishings, moulding or skirting boards. Here are the most efficient types of products you can use:

You might also like: 9 Things You Need to Know About Stain Protection for Carpets and Upholstery

Many handyman prefer protection rolls due to their convenience, but they are not suitable for all carpet types. Image: bagsofroom

Carpet protection roll

Often, people doing renovations choose this type of cover because of its convenience. Carpet protection rolls are self-adhesive, durable and tear-resistant. Handymen also prefer it because it doesn’t move around, so it’s an efficient solution to prevent paint spills. Unfortunately, self-adhesive protection rolls are not suitable for all types of carpets. After removing the film, the adhesive may remain on the carpet and walls. Some brands even state that the product can only be used on synthetic carpets. So before laying it all over the room, ensure this product can be used on your carpets. After all, your goal is to prevent carpet stains, not substitute paint spills for glue residue, right?

Dust sheets, when set and fixed correctly are the best way to protect carpets from paint stains. Image by gpointstudio

Dust sheet

Thick plastic dust sheets are a great alternative to carpet protection rolls. However, there are a few things to remember when using them when painting and decorating. Dust sheets need to be fixed onto the carpet so they don’t slip; setting them right will also help you prevent accidental drops of paint onto the carpet. One way to fix these covers is with gaffer or painter’s tape (we’ll get into more details on these materials below). Another way to ensure the dust sheet doesn’t move around and avoid paint spills on your carpet is to tuck the plastic sheet underneath the skirting board. If possible, always opt for tucking instead of taping the cover – you will have a very well-fixed floor cover protecting your carpet. Tucking the dust sheet is also preferred when spray-painting the skirting boards.

When it comes to fixing your the dust sheets on carpets not all tapes are created equal. Image by rawpixel.com

Gaffer, masking tape or painter’s tape

Since we’ve mentioned tape as a way to fix dust sheets over your carpet to protect it from paint stains, it’s good to note that not all types of tape are created equal. The best kinds of tape to use are gaffer and painter’s tape. They are adhesive enough to stick to your carpet and the walls but still easy to remove. Gaffer and painter’s tape don’t leave gummy sticky residue; you can use them not only when fixing the dust sheets on the carpet but also to protect the flooring when hand-painting your skirting boards. You can also use low-tack masking tape. However, it might get unstuck and let the dust sheets move, thus exposing your carpet. Also, unlike gaffer and painter’s tape, masking tape can get soaked and allow the paint to penetrate underneath. So, although gaffer and painter’s tape are more expensive, they are the better alternative to masking tape when it comes to painting and decoration projects.

Read also: 10 Simple Things That Effectively Remove Stickers From Any Surface

If there is a paint spilled on your carpet the best you can do is to soak up as much liquid as possible and call stain removal specialist as soon as possible.

How to remove a paint stain from the carpet?

If you search, you will find that many websites give all sorts of home recipes and methods for cleaning paint from carpets. Unfortunately, while the sentiment is good, these articles are a complete hoax. No self-respecting carpet cleaning professional (especially if certified in stain removal) would guarantee that the Internet’s methods – acetones, solvents, dishwashing liquid, soap, alcohol – would work in your situation. On another type of surface – maybe, but when it comes to carpet, there are too many factors to consider – whether the stain is fresh or not, the composition of the carpet, carpet pile height, whether it is fixed wall-to-wall and more. If you need to deal with a paint accident on your carpet don’t hesitate tocontact us and get a sain removal quote within minutes.

It’s best if you notice the stain while it’s still wet. Use a clean white cloth to soak up as much paint as possible. Do not rub to avoid spreading the stain. Suppose you’re dealing with a latex stain. In that case, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to remove it by dabbing the area with a clean cloth dampened with water as you pull it off the carpet, but pigments may still remain. Also, some types of rugs, like viscose, bamboo and artificial silk, are moisture sensitive and over-soaking them could lead to damage.

Suppose you need to clean an oil-based paint stain. In that case, it’s best to blot up the excess with a towel and get a certified stain removal specialist to help you remove it as soon as possible. The following applies to both types of paint stains: the fresher the stains and the fewer products you have used on them, the greater the chance that the professional carpet cleaner will be able to remove them from your flooring. That is why taking precautions is still the best way to keep your carpet stain-free during renovations.

Stain removal specialist or carpet cleaner?

And lastly, you may have noticed that we repeatedly said to turn to a stain removal specialist rather than a carpet cleaner. That is because these are two different jobs, although there are professionals who are certified for both. Most carpet cleaners can deal with everyday dirt. However, some stubborn and unlikely stains, like paint, are better left to a certified expert. We at CleanerCleaner are certified in carpet cleaning and stain removal, so if you need help with paint spills on your carpet, don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have to deal with a paint spill on your flooring.

Read also: How to Clean a Carpet at Home – DIY Guide

Urine has a complicated composition which makes it surprisingly difficult to clean. Image by diana.grytsku

Why is it so difficult to remove a dry urine stain?

When dealing with a pee stain on the carpet, knowing why this clear, watery liquid is such a hassle to clean is important. When urine is allowed to dry and linger in the carpet (or the upholstery, for that matter), it starts to adhere to the fibres. The more time it is left to stay, the more robust the bond becomes. Proteins (chains of amino acids) form physical bonds with the fibres. At the same time, other components of the urine crystallise into salts, creating ionic (electrical charge) bonds. At this stage, the pee stain becomes exceedingly challenging to clean entirely. Meanwhile, Mother Nature initiates the process of decay.

Check also: Stain removal is a matter of chemistry

If not handled properly urine leave a lingering smell that only gets worse over time. Image by karlyukav o

Why does urine start to stink, and the odour worsens over time?

Urine has quite an intricate composition. Consider a multitude of substances previously ingested: water, sugars, various fats and oils from both plants, meat and dairy products, alcohol and so forth, all comprising numerous elements. The body transforms some of these constituents into yet other identifiable compounds before being excreted in a liquid form. Now, let’s focus on the components of urine known as “organic wastes,” referring to those portions that undergo decay.

The decay process is a natural mechanism that serves as a means of disposing of this refuse. These organic wastes serve as a natural food source for bacteria. As they feed on the waste, bacteria produce offensive vapours, releasing ammonia, sulphur, and methane gases in various combinations, which we perceive as an unpleasant odour. To put it differently, what our noses detect as a noxious odour is, in fact, bacteria excrement. This laboriously gradual process is the underlying cause of the lingering odour issue.

Read also: How to Clean your Wool Rug

Check your carpet’s textile composition to guarantee efficient pee stain removal. Image by rawpixel.com

Peculiarities of cleaning different types of carpets

Also, before cleaning your carpet, it’s good to consider its material to remove the pee stain efficiently without damaging the fibres.

Read also: How to clean the 3 most common types of carpets

• Natural carpets like wool, cotton and silk can be destroyed by enzyme cleaners if not rinsed properly after the treatment. 
• Synthetic carpets are usually easier to clean since they don’t retain moisture, and most can be treated with enzyme cleaners. 
• Man-made cellulosic fibres like viscose and bamboo silk are extremely vulnerable to moisture, and rigorous scrubbing can crush the carpet pile. So if you have to remove urine stains from such carpet, we recommend blotting up the excess liquid, then contact a carpet care specialist and arrange a same-day appointment. The same applies to silk, vintage and Oriental rugs.

Check also: Pros and Cons of Getting a Viscose Rug

Accidents happen, especially if your pet is still in training. Luckily, our detailed guide will help you get rid of the urine stain on your rug. Image by Freepik

Removing urine stains from carpets step by step

As you’ve already guessed, time is of the essence if you have to deal with pee stains. The best-case scenario is if the stain is still fresh and none of the bonding and decay has started. So, even if you are tired, tardy or occupied, it is wise to spare a few minutes to tend to your carpet. However, there are some tricks you can try even if the liquid has dried.

Read also: How to Choose Upholstery Fabric for Easy Care of Your Furniture

For fresh stains

Although the natural processes we described may make it sound like urine is next to impossible to clean, that’s not true – you must be diligent.

You will need:

• A few pieces of white cloth or paper towels
• Cleaning sponge
• Mixing bowl
• Spray bottle
• Lukewarm water  
• White distilled vinegar*
• Container filled with clean water
• Empty container for dirty water

*Vinegar can harm some fibres, especially when it is not diluted with the correct water ratio. If your carpet contains silk, cotton, or rayon, we strongly recommend soaking up the urine and calling a professional carpet cleaner. 

1. Grab a few rags or a bunch of paper towels and soak up the urine as quickly as you can from your carpet. Do not use dark rags because the fabric’s dye can transfer to the carpet. When the rag gets soaked, put it in your empty container or a garbage bag and continue blotting with a dry one until you get as much liquid out of the carpet as possible.
2. Mix 1 cup of distilled white vinegar and 1 cup of water in a small bowl or spray bottle.
3. Dip a clean sponge into your cleaning solution, squeeze it so it is not dripping wet, and blot the affected carpet area. Start at the outside of the wet spot and work toward the centre to help prevent the stain from spreading out. 
4. Work it in, blotting meticulously as the solution needs to get deep into the fibres, but try not to saturate the area. Oversoaking your carpet will make it more challenging to dry, and the residual moisture can lead to mould and mildew.
5. Squeeze the contaminated mixture into your dirty water container, dip the sponge in the cleaning solution and blot again. Repeat a few times.  
6. Use paper towels or a dry cloth to blot out the cleaning mixture.
7. Apply a generous amount of clean water onto affected area using a clean sponge to rinse away any vinegar residue. Repeat until you make sure there’s no cleaning solution on the carpet. This step is essential because any remaining acid can deteriorate the carpet fibres. 
8. Use dry clean rags or paper towels to soak up the residual water. If your rag gets wet, replace it with a dry one and continue blotting the moisture. 
9. Let the carpet air-dry away from direct sunlight or heat. Don’t be tempted to use a hair dryer for this step, as the high heat can set the stain, making it very difficult to clean. 
10. To help the carpet more quickly, you can place a rotating fan in the room to enhance the circulation of air in the room. 
11. Vacuum the area to lift carpet fibres. When cleaning a high-pile carpet, brushing it with a soft bristle brush is a good way to form and style the fibres.

You might also like: Ammonia as a Carpet Cleaning Solution

For dried urine stains 

Dealing with pee stains that have set in the carpet fibres takes more time and patience. Dried urine can be difficult to locate; even the slightest spot you fail to clean will eventually start stinking. That is why getting a small UV torch and shining it onto the carpet is good – it will immediately show you all the splashes and spots. After locating all the stains, you can spray them with only water to rehydrate them. Then, follow the same steps as cleaning fresh urine. You may need to repeat each step more times, but it is essentially the same process.

If possible, it’s best to get your rug outside and hose it to rinse out the urine. Image by Freepik

Check also: How To Clean The Bathroom Carpet

Removing a urine stain from your rug

Suppose you are not cleaning a fitted wall-to-wall carpet but a small area rug made from wool or synthetic fibres. In that case, there’s an alternative cleaning method. Bring the carpet outside and rinse the stain with lots of water; you can use a garden hose if you have one. After that, leave the rug to air dry completely before taking it outside. This old-school method is really effective, but only for wool and synthetic rugs, do not attempt it for cotton, silk or viscose carpets. Also, if you are cleaning urine from a rug, it’s wise to check its back because the liquids get deep into the fibres. When professional cleaners deal with urine stains on fitted carpets, they inject syringes with specialised products to battle the odours. Luckily, with smaller rugs, it’s possible to treat both sides.

Read also: Things You Can Do to Keep Your Carpets Clean

Feline urine is notoriously stinky, that is why it’s worth being particularly diligent when treating a cat pee stain on your rug. Image by Freepik

How to get rid of urine odour from your carpet

Whilst vinegar should be sufficient to cut through the odour of the urine on the carpet, the smell may still linger. If that’s the case, you can try some of the following methods:

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda:

You can prepare a hydrogen peroxide solution if you have a light-coloured carpet. Never use this mixture on dark rugs, as it may bleach them. 

• Pour 1 cup of water, 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and add 3 tablespoons of baking soda into a spray bottle. Shake well to combine all the ingredients.
• Spray the mixture onto your carpet, leave for 10 to 20 minutes, then blot with clean water to rinse.
• Dry the carpet with a clean towel.

If you are trying to decide whether or not to use this recipe on your rug, you can prepare the solution and test it on a small inconspicuous area.

Check also: What Are the Best Ways to Remove Pet Hair Off of Furniture and Carpets

Enzyme cleaner

Enzyme cleaners are great for removing urine stains and smell from clothes. However, when it comes to carpet cleaning, they can be a bit risky to use, which is why you should make sure the enzymatic cleaner won’t damage your rug. Most synthetic carpets can be safely treated with enzyme stain removers, while most natural ones will be damaged if you fail to rinse the spot thoroughly. There is a wide variety of enzymatic cleaners, so when you choose one, strictly follow the instructions on the label. As with all situations where you need to try a new product, we suggest testing on a small inconspicuous spot of the carpet before treating the stain.