At Cleaner Cleaner, we’ve partnered with numerous Airbnb hosts in London, providing specialist cleaning services from emergency stain removal and deep cleaning of carpets and upholstery to end-of-tenancy cleans for a total property reset. Several colleagues on our team have extensive experience with Airbnb cleaning, and today, we’re sharing their ultimate step-by-step guide. You will also find clever tricks to streamline the process, save time, and ensure a consistently high standard.

Read also: The Ultimate Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist

Ensure the batteries in the remote controls are working.

Getting Started: Inventory, Restock, and Tidy Up

Before you even begin with your Airbnb cleaning routine, focus on these crucial preliminary tasks. Start by checking the inventory to ensure all amenities work (e.g., batteries in remotes, functioning lights). Then, restock all necessary guest supplies, including dishwasher tablets, soaps, shampoos, coffee, tea, and any other provided items – doing this early simplifies the collection of empty containers and highlights what needs replacement. Follow with a general tidy-up: gather misplaced items and put them away, collect mugs from around the property, wipe down surfaces to remove crumbs, and empty all bins to prevent smells. Finally, if a dishwasher is available, load it with any dirty dishes so it can operate while you clean.

Check also: How to Choose a Comfortable Sofa That Will Last You For Years

Don’t forget to dust fans and air conditioner filters, as they trap a lot of dirt.

Conquering the Dry Cleaning Tasks

Once you’ve tidied up, the next step in your Airbnb cleaning should be the tasks that don’t require water. Our experience shows it’s best to begin your Airbnb cleaning routine with tasks that don’t involve water.

Tackle Outdoor Areas

Think of it like this: start from the outside and work your way inwards to avoid dragging outdoor grime inside. Sweep the patio, balcony, or any other external spaces.

Strip the Beds

The very first indoor task should be stripping all the beds and collecting the used towels. Bed linens and towels accumulate significant hair and lint during use. Leaving this until later risks spreading that debris onto already-cleaned surfaces, making the place look dusty. Getting this done early also allows you to start the laundry (if you’re doing it on-site) sooner.

Read also: The Only Cleaning Routine You Need to Keep Your Foldable Guest Bed Nice and Fresh

Dry Surface Cleaning 

Dry dust light fixtures, including chandeliers, and remove cobwebs lurking in corners. Give the remaining shelves, bedside tables, coffee tables, and TV units a once-over with a dry duster or microfibre cloth.

Make thorough vacuuming the backbone of your Airbnb cleaning routine.

Vacuum Every Nook and Cranny

Get your vacuum cleaner ready to tackle all carpets, hard floors, and rugs. For a thorough Airbnb cleaning, make it a point to vacuum every centimetre of the property, working from top to bottom. Don’t just focus on the floors; vacuum soft furniture and surfaces like shelves, bedside tables, coffee tables, and TV units. Unlike dusting, vacuuming removes hair, lint, and dust instead of pushing it around. The bathroom floor is another area that greatly benefits from thorough vacuuming, so it should become an essential step in your Airbnb cleaning routine. Vacuuming is crucial for removing loose hair and is particularly effective for properties near beaches, preventing sand from being dragged further into the property and potentially clogging drains.

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

Make the Beds and Lay Out Fresh Towels

Once the dry cleaning tasks are finished, it’s time to prepare for your next guests by making the beds with freshly laundered sheets and pillowcases and arranging clean towels in the bathrooms. Completing these tasks before you begin wet cleaning is a wise step, as it minimises the risk of stray lint from the clean laundry settling onto surfaces that will later be cleaned with water and polishing products.

It’s often not worth running the dishwasher for only a couple of teacups left behind.

Tackling the Wet Cleaning Tasks

Continue with the tasks that involve water and cleaning products. This is also the time to tend to any greenery on the property and water any indoor plants. If any spills occur, they can be easily cleaned up before the floors are polished. After that, you can continue with the heavy-duty cleaning chores.

Read also: The Ultimate Guide to Sofa Stain Removal

Pre-Treat the Bathroom 

Guests rightly expect a sparkling clean bathroom, regardless of the length of their stay. Pre-treating the bathroom and toilet is the easiest and most efficient way to complete this chore. Even short stays can lead to a build-up of water stains, toothpaste marks, soap scum, limescale (a common issue with London’s hard water), and general grime. So, to combat this issue, wet all bathroom and toilet surfaces, including fixtures, shower screens and curtains. Apply appropriate cleaning products and allow them to soak while you tackle other tasks. This step gives the products time to work their magic on stubborn stains.

Tackle the Dishes and Kitchen Mess

Even if your previous guests have been tidy, it’s common to find a few stray items needing attention. If there are only a handful of dishes, it’s often more efficient to wash them by hand. This is also the ideal time to refresh the kitchen appliances, including cleaning the fridge and wiping down the microwave, coffee machine, juicer (if you have one), cooktops, and oven, as you can deal with any cleaning-related splashes during the final floor cleaning.

Quickly wiping the windows and glass doors can make your Airbnb look sparkling clean.

Bring the Surfaces to a Shine

It’s best to clean from top to bottom to ensure you don’t undo your hard work. Grab your microfibre cloths, water spray, polishing spray, and glass cleaner and systematically work through each room, dusting and polishing all surfaces, including light switches, worktops, shelves, and cabinets, essentially every horizontal surface. Following this, wipe down all windows and glass surfaces to achieve a streak-free finish.

Wash and Polish the Floors 

With all the higher surfaces gleaming, it’s time to clean the floors in your Airbnb. To do this strategically, fill your bucket with floor cleaner and wash the floors, starting with the room furthest from the bathroom and progressing towards it. This ensures no footprints are left on the cleaned surfaces, as the bathroom will be the last area you tackle.

 Check also: Carpet vs. Wood Flooring for Your Rental

Guests always appreciate immaculately clean bathrooms in their Airbnb.

Scrub, Rinse and Shine the Bathroom

While the floors are drying, turn your attention to the bathroom, where the cleaning products have worked their magic. Thoroughly scrub the tiles, the toilet bowl (both inside and out), the sink, and all the bathroom fixtures. Once everything is washed, rinse away all traces of the cleaning products and then dry every surface meticulously with a clean cloth. For the final touch, polish the taps, showerheads, and other metal fixtures to achieve a sparkling finish. Leaving the bathroom until last ensures that water splashed while cleaning other areas doesn’t re-soil this space. Before leaving the now pristine bathroom, take a moment to dry your shoes or wipe them on a cloth to avoid leaving any footprints, and finally, put away your cleaning caddy.

The Finishing Touches: Leaving a Lasting Impression

Beyond the core Airbnb cleaning tasks, there are a few final touches that can significantly enhance the guest experience. A light spritz of water-based deodorising spray can create a welcoming atmosphere without leaving a heavy, lingering chemical smell. Furthermore, leaving a small welcome note for your guests can add a personal and thoughtful touch. Finally, we strongly recommend taking a quick video walk-through of the entire unit once cleaning is complete, as this can prove invaluable in the event of any false damage claims or cleaning disputes.

Using professional laundry services for your Airbnb ensures consistently high-quality results leading to better reviews and saving you time.

Dealing with Laundry: The Big Question

When it comes to leaving a positive impression, impeccably clean and hygienic linens go a long way in ensuring guest satisfaction. That’s why addressing the often-discussed topic of laundry for your short-term rental property is so important. While there isn’t a specific national law mandating professional laundry services for Airbnb hosts in the UK, it’s a point worth careful consideration.

The Convenience of Professional Laundry 

Services will wash, dry, fold, and even iron your linens and towels to a consistently high standard. Professional laundry saves you significant time and effort, especially when dealing with quick turnovers.

Guidelines for Washing at Home 

If you choose to wash linens and towels yourself, ensure you adhere to basic health and safety standards. This means washing at a high enough temperature (typically at least 60°C) to kill germs and ensuring everything is thoroughly cleaned and hygienic between guests.

Larger Operations and Certifications

If you manage multiple properties or your accommodation is classified as “serviced accommodation,” health inspectors may expect a higher standard, potentially including using commercial laundry services. Additionally, achieving quality certifications (like VisitEngland’s Gold Award) often requires professionally laundered linens.

Our Recommendation

For a standard Airbnb in London, washing at home is acceptable, provided you are meticulous with hot washes, remove all visible stains, and ensure everything smells fresh and is properly dried. However, for larger-scale operations or those aiming for specific certifications, professional laundry services are highly recommended for consistent quality and time efficiency.

A nice decoration, like this easy-to-clean mini LED marquee, adds a cosy final touch for guests.

Bonus Tips for an Even Smoother Routine

Consider these additional tips to ensure a swift and efficient Airbnb cleaning of your property.

Ditch the Carpets (If Possible)

Consider removing carpets if you currently have them or avoiding installing them if you have a choice. Carpets can be a nightmare to keep clean with quick guest turnovers, and they aren’t always the most hygienic option in a short-term rental setting. Hard floors are generally easier to clean and maintain between guests.

Read also: Designing for Elegance and Endurance in Luxury Communal Spaces

Waterproof Mattress Protectors Are Your Best Friend

Always use water-resistant mattress covers on all your beds. This simple step will safeguard your mattresses from spills and accidents, keeping them clean and hygienic. Plus, you’ll never have the inconvenience and downtime of waiting for a mattress to dry after an incident.

Leave No Trace: Maintaining Hygiene During Cleaning

Always tie back your hair, even if it’s short, and consider wearing long sleeves or trousers if you have more body hair to avoid leaving any behind. A set of dedicated cleaning clothes, like an old tracksuit and t-shirt, is also a good practice, especially if you have pets. Having dedicated work shoes for cleaning is essential – never use your regular outdoor shoes. If you manage multiple properties, carry your work shoes with you. While hospital shoe covers are an option in a pinch, be aware they can be slippery.

Tools and Tips to Improve Your Efficiency

Investing in a cleaning caddy will streamline your work by keeping all your products and tools organised and easily portable. Another irreplaceable tool for your London Airbnb is the mighty lint roller—it’s invaluable for removing hair and lint from bed sheets, sofa cushions, and curtains. Last but not least, set timers for specific tasks to help you stay focused and avoid getting sidetracked. Put on some music or a podcast to make cleaning more enjoyable.

Implementing these tips and creating a consistent routine is key to sparkling clean accommodation, a smoother workload, happier guests, and glowing reviews. If you’d like to take the hassle out of deep cleaning tasks like sofa cleaning, carpet cleaning, or tackling stubborn stains, remember that Cleaner Cleaner London offers specialist services to help keep your Airbnb in top condition. Happy hosting!

Fat and dirt don’t stand a chance against the high temperatures produced by the appliance.

How does a self-cleaning oven work

A self-cleaning oven gets the cavity spotless without using a drop of chemical cleaners — and without much effort. When you hit the program button on your range, it starts a cycle that produces a scorching temperature of around 500 °C. The heat burns off all the food spills and grease stains, leaving you with a small amount of fine ash on the bottom of the appliance that you can remove easily with a quick sponge wipe. The pyrolytic cleaning cycle can last from 3 to 5 hours, depending on the model and brand of the oven.

Read also: The Ultimate Guide on How to Clean a Heavily Soiled Oven

Benefits of using the self-cleaning program

• No need for chemical cleaners: When cleaning a regular oven, you often need strong cleaning products, especially if the appliance is very dirty. To be able to cut through all the fat and scorched food spills, these cleaners usually contain a number of toxic ingredients that are dangerous for you and the environment. 
• No need for protective gear: The self-cleaning oven cycle eliminates all the dirt in the appliance’s cavity using nothing but heat. Therefore, you don’t have to wear the bulky rubber gloves, uncomfortable safety glasses or face masks you usually wear when cleaning the oven manually with heavy-duty cleaning products.  
• Labour-saving: This oven function cuts down your cleaning efforts tremendously. You simply run the program instead of bending, scrubbing, scraping, or doing other activities requiring a lot of elbow grease.
• Time-saving: Even though the pyrolytic cleaningcycle can take a few hours, you can do something more enjoyable with your time.
• Cost consideration: You may pay a bit extra for the self-cleaning feature, but using it pays back over time. With a regular oven, you spend hundreds of pounds on cleaning products, scouring pads, gloves and other tools and supplies. And although the self-cleaning cycle does use a lot of electricity, it’s a trade-off for the time and effort you save.

Oven Mate’s cleaning kit is among the products approved by VEA* for safe use in self-cleaning ovens.

Is it okay to use cleaners in a self-cleaning oven?

Self-cleaning ovens’ walls are coated with porcelain enamel called pyrolytic ground coat enamel or vitreous enamel. The material endures the extremely high temperature the appliance produces to incinerate dirt and food residues and turn them into ash. And while this coating is heat and acid-resistant, it can be scratched and damaged if you use harsh chemicals or abrasive products and scouring pads. 

• Nowadays, you can find oven cleaners designed especially for self-cleaning ovens. However, before you buy or try any products, remember that it’s best to check the list of formally approved products by relevant authorities like the VEA – The Vitreous Enamel Association in the UK. 
• Still, using a solution of water and mild dishwashing liquid is safe if you need to wipe up a grease stain in your oven after cooking. Also, you should never apply any household cleaners during the pyrolytic cleaning cycle to prevent damage to the enamel.

Check also: 12 Spring Cleaning Hacks To Transform Your Home [Infographic]

Don’t forget to remove the oven racks prior to running the cleaning program.

How to Use the Self-Cleaning Cycle of Your Oven

Suppose you are using the feature for the first time. In that case, it’s best to check the owner manual provided by the oven’s manufacturer. However, there are a few general steps to follow when running the self-cleaning cycle:

1. Prepare the oven – before using the self-cleaning feature, remove the racks unless noted otherwise by the manufacturer. Also, it’s better to remove any large chunks of food residues to minimise the smoke and fumes during the pyrolytic cleaning cycle. If the food is baked onto the bottom of the oven, you can use a non-scratching scraper to loosen the bits and remove as much of it as possible.
2. Lock the door – most of the new models lock automatically before the cycle begins. Still, to be safe, double-check if the door is locked before running the program.
3. Ensure proper ventilation – turn on the extractor hood or leave the windows open. Allowing good ventilation in the room will help lower the heat and remove unpleasant odours emitted by the oven.
4. Run the program – push the button to start the self-cleaning and leave the room.
5. Wipe down the cavity – wait until your oven is completely cooled down, and then wipe the ashy residues inside with a damp sponge.

Turn on the extractor hood to deal with the fumes and odours during the self-cleaning.

Read also: The Ultimate Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist

Safety tips for using a self-cleaning oven

The Internet is filled with horror stories from people claiming that using the self-cleaning feature broke their oven. You can read about melted elements, burnt fuses, burst oven lights, fried controllers and relays, etc. However, all these problems can occur with regular ovens too, so don’t let the horror stories scare you. Moreover, your oven’s warranty should cover the repair cost of any accident that happens during the self-cleaning cycle. Still, you should take some specific precautions to use the feature safely. 

Allow proper ventilation 

During the self-cleaning cycle, the oven can emit smoke and unpleasant odours. Despite the stubbornly circulating rumours, these are not from the toxic gas carbon monoxide. However, the fumes are quite unpleasant and can set off the smoke detectors. Open the kitchen windows and leave the cooker hood running during pyrolytic cleaning cycle to ensure the area is well-ventilated.

Leave the room

While you can’t suffocate from the smoke your oven produces during self-cleaning, it is still unpleasant and can irritate your airways. That is why it’s best for you and your kids to stay away from the room while the self-cleaning cycle is running. Not to mention that the oven exterior too gets quite hot, and small children can get burned if they touch it.

Keep your pets away

Pets, especially birds, are more vulnerable to smoke. Some specialists say certain tropical birds can suffocate from the fumes emitted during self-cleaning. This never happened to us or any of our clients, but to be safe, make sure your pets are out of the room. After all, if the smoke’s unpleasant for you, it sure is for them too. 

Don’t leave anything on top 

Make sure to remove dishes, food containers, food, lids etc., from the stovetop. Although only the oven’s cavity is heated, the exterior gets very hot too. Anything left on top can melt and catch fire. 

Empty the warming drawer

You should also empty the drawer underneath the oven and remove any pans, baking sheets, baking paper or no paper or linen you keep inside. 

Clear out the oven cavity

Before you hit the self-clean button, you should remove everything from inside the oven, including the racks, unless they are documented as self-cleaning. The high temperature (up to 500 °C) can damage the oven racks’ metallic coating, making them more difficult to slide in and out. 

Double-check if the door is locked

Every self-cleaning oven has locks on the doors for the users’ protection. The door should stay locked during the pyrolytic cleaning cycle until the appliance cools down completely. Most ranges nowadays have an automatic lock function. However, before running the program, you should always check if the door is locked properly.

Check also: How Often Should You Clean Your Fridge?

There are a few clear signs your oven needs cleaning.

How often to use the self-cleaning cycle

To prevent getting your oven too dirty, we recommend using the pyrolytic cleaning cycle at least once every six months. However, as with all other types of ranges, your oven cleaning routine depends on how you use the appliance. If you notice any of the following signs, then it’s time to run the self-cleaning cycle of your oven:

• You can’t see through the oven door because of grease or food stains.
• There are crusty and scorched food residues on the bottom of the oven.
• You can smell a greasy or burnt odour when using the oven.
• There’s smoke or fumes when you preheat the oven.
• Change of how the food tastes, especially in baked goods like cookies, bread or cakes.

You might also like: How Often Should You Clean

Consider using oven liner when baking cheesy and bubbly dishes like this one to prevent the fast re-soiling of your oven.

How to maintain the cleanliness of your oven between self-cleaning cycles

Think of the self-clean oven cycle as deep cleaning of your appliance. You would want to run it every few months to maintain the range’s cavity in good condition. However, as with regular ovens, it’s best to adopt a few everyday cleaning habits that reduce the need to run the self-cleaning program too often.

• Wipe spills, overflows and splashes as soon as possible to prevent big patches of baked-on food and grease build-ups inside the oven cavity. Wait until your oven has cooled down almost completely, spray some warm water over the dirt and wipe using a soft sponge. If you’re afraid the water won’t cut it, add a few drops of mild dish soap to dilute the dirt. 
• Some foods are more prone to dripping. We recommend using pans and baking trays for all the dishes you slide into your cooker, including lazy foods like frozen pizza and pie. Washing your cookware is easier and more cost-effective than deep-cleaning the oven every month. 
• Get a non-stick oven liner and place it on the bottom of the cavity. These inexpensive oven sheets catch unwanted spills and drip from messier dishes like bubbly cheesy casseroles. 
• Unless your oven racks are documented as self-cleanable, you must pop them out and clean them separately. The best way to make them sparkly clean is to soak them in warm, sudsy water and scrub off the dirt or use a specialised rack cleaning kit. Oven Pride and Oven Mate do the job quite nicely, but you can try any other brand you prefer. Whether you soak them or use a kit, in the end, you should rinse the racks well and allow them to dry completely before sliding them back into place.
• Occasionally, streaks of evaporated cooking liquid might appear on the exterior of the oven door. This is a problem that the self-cleaning cycle can’t handle. So, whenever you notice dirt on the door, spray it with warm water to loosen the stain, then use glass cleaner to polish the spot.

*Please note that we are not affiliated with any products or brands mentioned in this article. We only recommend them as a reference for products that, in our opinion, work well.

Check also: The Ultimate Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist

Deep oven cleaning is one of the chores where using a DIY homemade cleaner might just not cut it.

What cleaning products to use for a really dirty oven?

Some prefer natural cleaning formulas and DIY recipes, while others opt for commercial oven cleaning products. Both options are fine. However, if we have to be honest, the effectiveness of each cleaner depends on how dirty your oven is.

• A commercial cleaner is the most efficient option if the oven cavity is heavily soiled. These products contain powerful ingredients that quickly cut through grease and baked-on food spills with minimal scrubbing.
• If your oven is not that dirty, you can use dish soap or prepare your own cleaning solution using natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda. However, this approach requires a lot of elbow grease, and you may have to repeat the whole cleaning process a few times. That is why we don’t recommend it when dealing with a very grimy oven.

Read also: 12 Spring Cleaning Hacks To Transform Your Home [Infographic]

Our fool-proof oven cleaning method

Deep cleaning your oven can be quite a challenge, but if you approach it seriously and make enough time to do the job right, the results are worth it! When using commercial cleaners, it’s mandatory to take some precautions and protect yourself and the surfaces in your kitchen. We also recommend gathering all the tools and products you’ll need in advance. Once you start cleaning the oven, you wouldn’t want to drop everything off and go to the supermarket for more supplies.

Read also: How to Clean and Maintain Your Self-Cleaning Oven

Wearing thick rubber gloves will protect your hands when using commercial oven cleaners.

Safety measures when using commercial oven cleaners

Commercial cleaning products are very efficient; however, you must take precautions when using them because if their potent ingredients. Some of these chemicals can burn your skin, and the fumes can irritate your skin, eyes and airways. That is why it’s imperative to wear rubber gloves when using commercial cleaners and ensure the area is well-ventilated while you clean the oven.

Check also: How Often Should You Clean Your Fridge

Also, these cleaners are designed specifically for the inside of the oven and oven only! They can cause damage to other surfaces in your kitchen, such as wood cabinets and hardwood floors, and some of the ingredients can even etch stainless steel surfaces. To avoid such unpleasant situations, be careful not to overspray the product and get it anywhere besides the oven cavity. It is also good to lay a large trash bag and a rag under and around the oven door to catch drips from the cleaning product. This protective layer will serve two purposes – shield the floors from burning chemicals and help contain the mess during the cleaning.

Prepare all the necessary cleaning supplies in advance.

Products and materials you’ll need

Below is a full list of all the tools and products you need to cover any situation when cleaning a heavily soiled oven. Depending on how dirty your appliance is, you may need only some of the things on the list or all. Still, it’s wise to have everything ready so that you can clean without interruptions.

• Rubber gloves
• Safety glasses (optional)
• A non-scratch scouring pad
• Sponge cloth (or paper towels if you prefer them)
• Old toothbrush
• Scraper
• A few large garbage bags
• Rags or old towel
• Commercial oven cleaning product of your choice*

* If you can’t decide on what brand to use, you can try the products of Oven Mate or Oven Pride, as well as Easy-Off Fume Free Oven Cleaner, to name a few. We are not affiliated with any of these sellers or brands; but we know that their ingredients work very well in removing baked-on food and grease when cleaning your oven at home.

Make sure the cavity of your oven is evenly covered by the cleaner.

Cleaning the oven step-by-step

1. Start by unplugging the oven from the socket. Some models have sensor buttons, and, of course, you can activate the lock mode. But sometimes, you can accidentally turn on the appliance when you clean it. Our experience has taught us that unplugging the oven is a small safety measure that can make a big difference and save you a lot of trouble.
2. Make sure your kitchen is well-ventilated. You can either open a window or turn on the extractor hood.
3. Lay the rags around and under the oven to contain the mess. If the kitchen floor is hardwood, put a few large garbage bags under the rags to add an extra safety layer.
4. Put on your gloves and safety glasses.
5. Empty the oven, taking out all dishes and broiler pans you store inside.
6. Remove the oven racks and set them aside.
7. Apply the cleaner in the oven following the instructions on the product’s label. You can use an old toothbrush to help spread the product more evenly onto hard-to-reach places. Make sure to cover the whole cavity of the oven, including the door.
8. IMPORTANT! Don’t apply cleaner on the electric heating elements or gas vents.
9. Close the door and let the product do its magic. Most cleaners take at least 30 minutes to work, but it can take up to 3 hours for heavily soiled ovens.
10. While you wait for the cleaner to cut through the grease and grime inside the oven, you can get down to cleaning the oven racks. Some people soak them in their bathtubs. However, we don’t recommend doing this because removing built-up food and grease from the racks can be messy and soil your bathtub. Instead, apply the cleaner on both sides of the racks and put them in a large garbage bag. Close the bag tightly and wait 30 minutes. Some brands have cleaning kits that have heavy-duty bags included with the sole purpose of cleaning the racks.
11. After waiting for the cleaner to do its job, it’s time to remove the residues. Use a damp sponge cloth or a sponge to wipe down the interior of the oven and racks. You must rinse your sponge frequently with clean water as you wipe each side.
12. Even after using a heavy-duty cleaner, there might be some patches of baked-on food. However, you can be sure that the product has helped loosen the dirt. To remove the last dirt and food residues, you can use a scraper or scouring pad to scrub them away.
13. Once the oven cavity, door and racks are clean, it’s time to reassemble the appliance. Place the racks back and enjoy the result – your oven is ready for use!

PLEASE NOTE: Sometimes, you will have dirt or greasy drips between the oven door glass panels. The best way to clean this space is to disassemble the door. However, this is quite a complex task requiring some tools and knowledge.  Oven doors have at least 2 glass panels (some models have 3). They are heavy, so there’s a significant risk of dropping the door or breaking the glass if you don’t know what to do. Not to mention, dismantling the oven door will void the appliance’s warranty. It’s best to check the manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to deal with the problem without damaging the oven or voiding the warranty.

Check also: Ultimate Guide on How to Clean Your Luxury Swiss Watch

Baking a frozen pizza like this will get your oven dirty very fast. Using baking trays and pans will help keep the appliance cleaner.

How often should I clean my oven?

Now that your oven is sparkly, it is wise to plan when to clean it again to avoid going through the same gruelling process you’ve just finished. Since the cavity of your oven is usually out of sight, it may also be out of mind. Don’t worry – as you use the appliance, you will notice a few unmistakable signals that it needs a good scrubbing:

• There is grease or grime splattered on the door.
• There is crusty baked food or residue that looks burned on the bottom of the oven.
• A burnt or greasy smell arises when the oven is running.
• You notice smoke or fumes appear when you turn the oven.
• The food starts to taste bad, most noticeably in baked goods like bread or cake.

Still, your oven cleaning routine depends on how you use it. Ideally, it would be best to wipe spills and overflows as soon as possible to avoid baked-on food and grease build-ups. If you cook in your oven daily, you should deep-clean it at least once every 3 months or when you notice one or more of the listed signs above. Also, it is a good idea to clean the appliance before major holidays like Christmas, when you’ll be using it more. Of course, taking care of the dirt before these problems appear is better. But even if the appliance gets heavily soiled due to lack of time – now you have the ultimate step-by-step guide on how to clean a dirty oven.

We go through the same steps when cleaning ovens as a part of our end of tenancy cleaning service. We’ve dealt with some very soiled appliances on these occasions, and this methods has never failed us. And we are confident our tips will help you bring back the as-new look of your oven.

5 Factors to Consider Before Cleaning Your Watch

In general, cleaning a watch is not complicated. However, there are a few important things to take in mind before you get started to help you do an excellent job and protect your precious watch from damage. Here are the factors you need to consider when cleaning your watch at home:

Water Resistance

Water resistance is the most crucial factor when it comes to cleaning your watch. If your timepiece is not water-resistant (most vintage watches fall in this category), it requires different cleaning and care than most contemporary watches. Even if the tiniest amount of water or soap of water gets into the case of a timepiece with no water resistance, it can damage it.

Crown and Pushers

Even water-resistant watches can be damaged by water and cleaning products if the crown is not screwed or pushed completely; otherwise, the case might not be sealed. Always check if the crown is in a closed position and avoid working the pusher buttons when cleaning your timepiece to ensure no water will get into the case.

Read also: How to Care for Your Designer Togo Sofa

Age and Last Servicing Date

Knowing your watch’s age and last servicing date are as important as knowing its water resistance. Timepieces that are older models or have been used a long time without, and those that haven’t been serviced for several years usually have diminished water resistance. Gaskets age, dry and become brittle over time, and the risk of water ingress gets higher. If you have any concerns over the effective water resistance of your luxurious watch, we recommend you bring it to a reputable watchmaker for inspection and servicing.

Materials of the Watch

Different materials require different cleaning approaches, tools and products to do the job without scratching or damaging your timepiece. For example, you can clean stainless steel and titanium safely with a soft brush. However, if your timepiece has a gold or satin finish, brushing it can damage the metal, so it’s better to use a microfibre cloth. You should also check the material of your watch crystal. Sapphire is quite firm and durable, while acrylic and hesalite crystals can easily scratch when cleaning the watch. So before cleaning your watch, it is wise to know its materials. If you don’t keep the original user manual of your timepiece, check the manufacturer’s website or contact the seller to get detailed info about your watch. 

Set a Safe Cleaning Space 

Whenever you’re cleaning your luxury watch, you should make sure to do it over a protected surface. Watches can become quite slippery during the cleaning and fall out of your hands. To avoid damage, place a layered towel over a flat surface – it will catch any potential slips and also help soak any water splashes. 

You might also like: How to Care for Your Iconic Camaleonda Sofa?

Water-resistant watches like this Omega Seamaster are very easy to clean as long as you service them regularly.

How to Clean a Water Resistant Watch?  

If your watch has a water resistance of 50 meters and above, it can withstand being wet-cleaned. Also, if your watch’s strap or bracelet is made from a water-resistant material – like metal or rubber, you can keep it and clean the watch along with it. However, if the bracelet is made of leather or any other non-water-resistant material, you should detach it and clean it separately.

You will need:

• Dry towel to lay over your workspace
• Gentle liquid soap 
• Warm water
• Bowl
• A soft brush (a soft toothbrush will do) for stainless steel watches or microfibre cloth for gold watches
• Microfiber cloth for drying

Cleaning instructions:

1. Fill your bowl with warm water, add a few drops of soap and mix until you have a soapy solution.
2. Dip the brush into the solution, and gently brush the watch to remove the dirt. If your watch has a satin finish or a precious metal finish (such as gold), you will want to use a microfiber cloth or even just with your hands to avoid scratching its surface.
3. Gently rinse the watch with clean water. If your watch has a moderate water resistance (50 meters to 100 meters), you can quickly dip it in a bowl filled with clean water. Watches with excellent water resistance (100 meters and above) can be placed directly under a running water faucet. 
4. Dry your watch completely with a soft microfiber cloth.

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Vintage watches, dress watches, and timepieces like this pocket watch usually are non-water-resistant.

How to Clean a Watch with Little or No Water Resistance?

If your watch has little to no water resistance (30 meters or less), you’ll need similar tools and materials to clean it; however, the cleaning steps are quite different. You should avoid getting your timepiece wet and submerge it in water at all cost; otherwise, you risk significant damage. 

You will need:

• Dry towel to lay over your workspace
• Gentle liquid soap 
• Warm water
• Bowl
• Soft brush
• 2 microfibre cloths
• Dry, fluffy cloth

Cleaning instructions:

1. Use a soft brush to gently scrub away any dirt or debris that have accumulated on the watch face or band.
2. Use a mixture of mild soap and water to clean the watch. Dip a microfibre cloth into the mixture and wring out the excess water. The cloth should be slightly damp. Use it to gently scrub the watch, and be careful not to get water into the watch’s case and mechanisms.
3. Dry the watch thoroughly with a clean, soft microfibre cloth.
4. Use the dry, fluffy cloth to remove any moisture from the watch’s band, case and crystal.  

Suppose you are cleaning a vintage piece without any water resistance. In that case, we recommend brushing it only with a soft dry brush to remove any debris physically and then cleaning it with polishing cloths for fine metal. They will remove any dirt and polish the face and bracelet without scratching the surface. You can use such cloth on gold, silver and other precious materials; however, they are not suitable for cleaning watches with a satin finish.

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Don’t forget to clean the strap or bracelet of the watch as this helps the timepiece maintain its overall look.

How to Clean the Watch Strap?

If either your watch or watch strap is water resistant, but not both, you should detach them and clean them separately. When cleaning the strap of your timepiece, you should consider its water resistance, age, material, construction, etc. All these factors matter if you want to clean the bracelet or strap of your watch safely and efficiently. 

Cleaning Water Resistant Straps and Bracelets

A lot of contemporary watches have steel, titanium or rubber straps or bracelets. These are very durable materials, and they are quite easy to clean. Use a mild soap solution and a soft brush to remove dirt and debris built on the strap and clasp. Put the watch strap or bracelet under running water to rinse it. After that, dry the strap with a clean microfibre cloth. 

When it comes to bracelets made from precious metals, such as platinum or gold, as well as watches with a satin finish, it’s best to avoid using brushes as they might scratch the metal surface. Instead, you can use an extra soft microfibre cloth dipped in soap and water. Scrub the bracelet gently, then rinse it clean and dry it with a soft microfibre towel.

Cleaning Leather Straps  

The first thing you need to know when dealing with leather watch straps is never to use wet wipes, alcohol or soap, as these products will dry the leather and can even ruin it. Before cleaning the strap, it’s worth checking what type of leather it is made from. If you are still determining what type of leather you’re dealing with and how to care about it, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s website.

If the watch strap is made from leather or another water-sensitive material, you must apply a gentler cleaning process. Use a very slightly damp cloth on the strap to remove dust and dirt without scrubbing hard. This method is suitable for leather like grain calf, shark or alligator. 

However, super matte leathers and also straps made from nubuck or suede are more susceptible to absorbing oils and water. The safest cleaning approach for straps made from these materials is using a soft dry brush or dry microfibre cloth to brush the surface gently.

In the long run, it’s worth getting a leather care kit to keep the leather’s excellent appearance over the years. These kits usually contain all the products and materials needed to maintain the material’s beauty and durability.

Read also: What you didn’t know about leather furniture, and how to clean it!

Cleaning Fabric Watch Bands 

Many smartwatches, including the new Apple Watch Ultra, come with fabric straps. Most of them are made from synthetic materials because they are durable and versatile. To clean your fabric watch band, detach it from the timepiece and wash it using mild detergent and lukewarm water. You can also throw it in the washing machine; however, make sure to set the lowest temperature setting as high temperatures can shrink the synthetic material.  

By following these steps, you can keep your luxurious watch looking its best and ensure that it continues to function properly for years to come. It’s also a good idea to have your watch professionally serviced on a regular basis to ensure that it is running smoothly and to catch any potential issues before they become major problems.

Read also: What you should know about cleaning upholstered furniture

With large families it’s especially important to choose a durable sofa.

What to Consider When Choosing a Sofa

There are many types of couches today, and there’s something for every taste. When choosing a sofa, you should take in mind a lot of factors, including:

• The size of the room where you’re going to put your couch;
• Functionality – sleeper sofa, modular, outdoor sofa, recliner etc.;
• Design and style – you are going to look at it every day, so looks ARE important;

Considering these factors will help you narrow down the type of furniture that fits your needs. So the next step is to ensure the sofa you get is well-built and comfortable. Many people opt for online shopping. However, with a purchase this big, we think going to a store is still the better option. There, you can feel the fabric, see the colours with your own eyes, and even – test your future furniture. And what’s more important, a qualified seller can answer all your questions and help you find the perfect piece for your needs.

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

Besides great design, there are 7 things you need to take in mind to get comfortable and durable furniture.

7 Features You Need to Inspect Before Buying Your Sofa

Here’s a short list of everything you need to check to get a comfortable and durable piece of furniture: 

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Legs & Frame

The legs should be either integral parts of the sofa frame or fixed with screws or dowels. If the legs are only glued on, then move on – this couch won’t last long. An easy test for solid frame construction is lifting the front corner or leg of the sofa off the floor a few inches. If the other front leg doesn’t rise off the floor at the same moment, that’s a sign the sofa frame is crooked and weak. Avoid any furniture that fails this test.

Joinery

Although it might not be possible to see how the frame parts are joined together, you can ask the salesperson for this information. Even if they can’t tell you immediately, they will have the technical specifications in their system. You want your sofa frame to be joined with wooden corner blocks, wooden dowels, or metal screws and brackets. Never buy any furniture assembled only with nails, glue and staples. These materials only provide additional reinforcement. However, they cannot hold a sofa on their own, or at least – not for long.

Arm rests

It’s a good sign when the sofa you like has a sturdy frame and is assembled with dowels or corner brackets. Nevertheless, it is still a good idea to test the arm rests by leaning on them to ensure they are tight. They shouldn’t move or wobble at all. Avoid any sofa that has wobbly, creaking parts and isn’t rock-solid.

Springs

Some couches only use webbing or mesh and don’t have springs. That’s why these are not very expensive, but also – not very durable. Make sure the sofa you want to get has springs, and don’t hesitate to test them. Push the springs through the upholstery. They should be firm and spaced close for good support. They should give much when you sit on the sofa.

Padding and Cushions

Well-padded sofas are more durable. The padding should cover the frame and all the corners. You shouldn’t feel the edges of the structure through the upholstery when you run your hand over it. If the padding is insufficient, the upholstery will wear down quickly. Also, the sofa won’t be very comfortable to use.

Seat cushions should be firm, resilient, and fit tight within the sofa frame. They should quickly regain their shape when you press them down and let go. Suppose a cushion stays put when you press it down. In that case, it will probably be flattened in no time. Sooner than later, it will look unsightly or feel uncomfortable when you sit on it.  

Mechanisms

Reclining furnishings are usually more expensive, so you want to check if they function well before paying. If you’re getting a recliner or sleeper sofa, operate the mechanism repeatedly to ensure it runs smoothly. Don’t ignore rough operation or mechanical glitches, as these will only worsen after repeated use in your home.

Read also: The Only Cleaning Routine You Need to Keep Your Foldable Guest Bed Nice and Fresh

Upholstery

We have posted a thorough article on choosing the best type of upholstery for your needs. Different fabrics are suitable for various uses, so check our guide to ensure you get upholstery that’s easy to clean and maintain. But other details, besides material, can tell off a durable piece of furniture. The seams should be straight, with no loose threads hanging from the upholstery. If the sofa has any buttons, ensure they are securely sewn on. Loose buttons will quickly come off and get lost.

We hope these tips will help you choose a comfortable sofa you will enjoy for many years. 

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If you enjoy snacking on your sofa it’s difficult to avoid accidents, so you better be prepared to deal with a grease stain on the upholstery.

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

How to Deal With Fresh Grease Stains on Your Sofa

There’s a big difference between cleaning an old and a fresh stain from your sofa. It’s best to deal with spills as soon as they occur – your chances of removing the stain from the upholstery are better before the spot dries. Here is what to do: 

• Scrape off as many excess liquids or solids as possible using a spoon. Be careful not to push or rub too vigorously because it will force the oil deeper into the sofa and can make the stain larger.
• Your next move is to absorb the remaining liquid. Sprinkle baking soda generously all over the spot. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to soak up the grease, and carefully vacuum it from the sofa. You can also use other powders like talc or cornstarch for this step. Remember that both substances are finer and can penetrate deeper into upholstery fibres. So we don’t recommend using them unless you don’t have any baking soda.
• Next, you should determine the type of stain you’re dealing with. Is it a plain substance like cooking oil or a cooked dish like tomato sauce or gravy? Is it animal fat like butter or vegetable oil like olive oil? Don’t forget that many hair and beauty products also contain oils, so most makeup stains are also greasy. There are different sofa stain removers designed to clean various stains, so make sure to choose the most suitable product for your needs.
• Whatever you do, please don’t mix different solutions! Combining many cleaning products results in a concoction that is difficult to remove, even for a professional sofa cleaner.
• After choosing the suitable stain remover for the grease stain on your sofa, use it following the instructions on its label. With some cleaners, the upholstery should be slightly wet. To achieve that, use a spray bottle filled with cold water to make the area damp without oversoaking the sofa. Apply the stain remover to the upholstery and let it do its job. Blot the spot carefully with a clean white towel, but ensure you’re not rubbing it. Keep dabbing lightly until no more dirt is transferred from the sofa to your cloth.
• Take another clean cloth, dip it in cold water, wring the excess and blot the upholstery gently to rinse the cleaning product.

Check also: How to Remove Grease Stains From Your Carpets?

Dish-washing liquid soap is an option if you don’t have a specialised upholstery stain removal product.

What Product to Use When Removing Grease Stains From the Sofa? 

Nowadays, you can find thousands of cleaning methods and DIY recipes for making your own sofa stain removers on YouTube and TikTok. Some might work, while others are pure clickbait and won’t remove the grease and dirt from the furniture. That is why we recommend researching and choosing a specialised upholstery cleaning product when dealing with grease stains on your sofa. Knowing what type of upholstery you’re dealing with is crucial because some fabrics don’t stand certain ingredients very well. So always check the label on your sofa before choosing a cleaning product for the upholstery.

Check also: How to Decode Upholstery Labels

However, suppose you don’t have a specialised sofa cleaner at hand. In that case, you can use a few drops of strong liquid dish soap diluted in lukewarm water. Whisk until you have thick suds, and use only the suds to treat the upholstery stain. Still, we recommend using an appropriate product if you have to deal with a grease stain on valuable furniture. And whatever you do, avoid mixing different cleaners because they can set in the dirt and make it impossible to remove the dirt from your sofa.

Read also: How to Choose the Best Upholstery Fabric for Easy Cleaning of Your Sofa

Hire professionals for a visible cleaning result!

How to Remove Old Grease Stains

Dealing with old grease stains on your sofa is quite challenging. That is why we think it’s better to book a professional stain removal service. The dirt has already dried and had enough time to bind with the fibres. Depending on the upholstery type, this bond can be quite strong and difficult to break with store-bought sofa cleaners. Also, old, stubborn stains require more time and effort to clean, making people rub the area very hard. So even if they remove the grease stain, they have weakened the fibres and shortened the sofa’s lifespan.

Check also: The Ultimate Guide to Sofa Stain Removal

On the other hand, professional sofa cleaners have a ton of specialised cleaners to choose from, each designed to fight different stains on various upholstery materials. Also, every fibre care specialist is taught the best way of using these solutions because having the right product is not always enough. So, before you reach for the stain remover, think again: Is saving a few pounds worth ruining your furniture? Well, it’s your sofa and your choice. However, if you need help, don’t hesitate to call us. You will get a free quote and can book us at a time that best fits your schedule. Combine our stain removal service with a professional upholstery cleaning to get the most out of our skills and knowledge, and you won’t regret it!

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

Here are the most popular natural and synthetic upholstery materials. We hope this will be helpful to make an informed choice when getting your new sofa so it lasts you for years.

Read also: Learn to Read the Upholstery Abbreviations Before Buying a New Sofa

A lot of people opt for wool or cotton blends for the sofa in the family room because these mixed fabrics are very durable and easy to maintain.

Natural Upholstery Characteristics & Maintenance

Natural upholstery refers to those fabrics woven from plant fibres and materials derived from animal products. Here are a few of the most common natural fabrics used to upholster sofas and armchairs.

Wool

Wool is a protein fibre used for centuries for clothes, carpets and upholstery. This natural thread is derived from the fleece of sheep, goats, camels, alpaca and other animals. Wool upholstery is durable and sturdy. It provides good thermal insulation and strong resistance to pilling, wrinkling and fading. Also, because the fibres have irregular scales, they are good at hiding the soiling. 

When used as an upholstery material for sofas or armchairs, wool is often blended with synthetic fibres. Such blends are easier to clean, and the synthetic component in these types of fabric helps to reduce the felting of the fibres. The mixed fabrics also dry faster than sofa upholstery containing just wool.

Read also: How to Clean Wool Carpets?

Cleaning and Maintenance of Wool Sofa

• Wool readily absorbs water, making it a poor choice for humid rooms as it is susceptible to mould and mildew. 
• As with other natural upholsteries, wool can be attacked by moths. 
• White wool fibres can turn yellow in direct sunlight over time, so placing a white wool sofa in a sunny room isn’t the best way to keep its appearance. 
• Bleach destroys all wool fabrics, so avoid using it on your upholstery.  
• Enzyme cleaners can deteriorate the wool upholstery, so make sure to rinse thoroughly.

Cotton

Cotton is a plant-based cellulose type fibre used as clothing and furniture material. Cotton upholstery is resistant to wear, fading, and pilling. However, the material doesn’t provide very good resistance to soil, wrinkling, or flames. The durability and use of cotton upholstery depend on the fabric’s weave and finish. Damask weave is better for furniture used in formal rooms. The canvas weave (sailcloth and duck) goes for more casual areas and is more durable.

Blending cotton with other fibres often compensate for its flaws. Cotton blends are life-friendly fabrics and can stand up to stains, small kids, and pets depending on the weave. After a deep upholstery cleaning, applying a stain-resistant finish, such as Scotchgard, makes these materials more resilient to heavy use.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Cotton Upholstery

• When cleaning this cellulose fibre upholstery, cellulosic browning (brownish discolouration) is a common problem, so it’s best to turn to professional upholstery cleaners.
• The fabric is very susceptible to shrinkage.
• The upholstery made of cotton is very absorbent and dries slowly, and is prone to mildew, so don’t place it in humid rooms.
• As with other natural fabrics, cotton can be attacked by moths. 
• Cotton furniture stains and soils easily, so it’s better to be used in households with no pets or small children.
• Treating dirt topically will leave a water stain, so it’s better to clean the whole upholstery instead.
• Acids can damage cotton upholstery as they rot the fibres, so be careful when using detergents containing vinegar or citric acid.
• Apply a stain-resistant finish, such as Scotchgard, after every deep sofa cleaning.

Velvet, like other natural fabrics in their pure form, is more suitable for soft furniture in adult areas.

Silk / Silk Velvet

Silk is the only natural fibre produced in a continuous filament, and it’s sourced from the caterpillar of the silk moth. The fabric is beautiful, luxurious, and delicate. It is suitable only for furniture in the adult areas of the house, such as a formal living room, offices or reading rooms. 

Cleaning and Maintenance of Silk Sofa

• Silk furniture must be treated by professional sofa cleaners when soiled. A lot of the common detergents contain substances that damage the fibres.
• Silk is a protein fibre, so you should never use enzymatic cleaners on this type of upholstery as they will weaken and ruin the material.
• Acids, bleach, and alkalis easily damage the fabric.
• Silk upholstery is extremely absorbent, so it dries up quite slowly.
• Sunlight and perspiration will rot the fibres of silk upholstery.

Read also: How to Care for a Velvet Sofa the Right Way

Linen 

Linen is a long, strong fibre derived from flax stems, and it is a cellulose type fabric. Linen upholstered sofas are best suited for adult areas as the fabric wrinkles easily and don’t withstand heavy wear. On the plus side, linen has good resistance to pilling and fading.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Linen Upholstery

• Linen doesn’t soil very easily, and the stains stay on the surface, so it isn’t difficult to remove them.
• Treating dirt topically will leave a water stain, so it’s better to clean the whole upholstery instead.
• However, overtime linen will soil. It’s best to call a professional to clean the upholstery when to avoid shrinkage of the fabric.
• Although the material readily absorbs water, it dries up fairly quickly. 
• Linen upholsteries are easily damaged by bleach for the same reason the cotton ones do.
• Unlike other natural fabrics, linen won’t be attacked by moths.
• Furniture upholstered with linen is prone to mildew, so avoid placing it in humid rooms.
• Sunlight won’t help fade the colours, but eventually, it will weaken the fibres.
• Linen upholstery is easily damaged by acids, but not as much – by alkalis.

Check also: How to Choose a Rug for Your Living Room

Synthetic Upholstery Characteristics & Maintenance

Synthetic upholstery is a fabric or material containing artificial fibres, which are designed using chemical processes. They are usually more durable and less expensive than natural fabrics used for upholstered furniture. Some of the synthetic fibres can’t be found in a pure form when used as upholstery material because they are too fragile on their own.

Read also: How to Clean Your Synthetic Rug

Acetate

Developed from wood cellulose pulp acetate is a semi-synthetic fibre that can resist mildew, shrinking and pilling. However, it soils relatively easily and fades in the sun, so it’s usually blended with other fibres.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Acetate Fabrics

• Acetate upholstery can be wet or dry cleaned.
• Cleaning with detergents containing oxygen bleach can damage the fibres.
• Acetate fabrics can melt when heated.
• Acetate upholstery isn’t very absorbent and dries fast.

Acrylic

This is a synthetic fibre used as a wool imitation. Low-quality acrylic upholstery may pill excessively in the spots receiving a lot of abrasion, but high-quality acrylics pill significantly less. Acrylic fabrics withstand wear and tear very well; they are also resistant to soiling and fading, making them quite a popular upholstery option.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Acrylic Fabrics

• Acrylic fibres have high resistance to alkalis, acids, bleaches, and solvents, which makes the fabrics easy to clean.
• Acrylic upholstery is not attacked by microorganisms.
• This fabric is resistant to fading.
• Acrylic is very flammable. 
• Modacrylic is modified acrylic consisting of a considerable amount of chlorine within the structure, making it much less flammable.

Synthetic upholstery is quite a popular sofa fabric choice among big families and people with pets in general.

Microfiber

This trendy fabric is made from polyester, and it’s often used as an imitation of velvet. It has a smooth texture, but it is more durable than the natural velvet made from silk. Microfibre is resistant to water, stains, and fading, so it’s ideal for high-use living rooms.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Microfibre

• Microfibre upholstery is strong and resistant to wear.
• The fibres have good resistance to soiling.
• Microfibre doesn’t absorb water readily, so liquid stains are easy to remove.
• Oil and grease stains are absorbed quickly, making them more difficult to clean.
• Microfibre furniture is resistant to fading by prolonged sunlight exposure.

Nylon (Polyamide)

One of the strongest fibres in use today, nylon is very resistant to abrasion. On the plus side, nylon doesn’t soil or wrinkle readily. However, the fibre tends to fade and pill quite easily. Nylon is rarely used alone, it’s mostly blended with other materials to make very durable upholstery fabrics.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Nylon/Polyamide Fabrics

• Nylon doesn’t retain much moisture, which makes it very suitable for wet or steam cleaning.
• The fibre can be cleaned with bleach, but only after first testing the solution on an inconspicuous area of the sofa.
• Nylon won’t be attacked by microorganisms.
• The fibres can be weakened by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
• Easily flammable material.

Olefin (Polypropylene)

Olefin has become a popular fibre used in upholstery as it withstands heavy wear with ease. It’s highly resistant to abrasion, mildew, stains, and sunlight so that it can be used as an indoor or outdoor furniture fabric.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Olefin/Polypropylene

• Olefin is stain-resistant and easy to clean and maintain.
• Upholstery containing olefin dries relatively fast.
• The material doesn’t shrink.
• The fibre has low resilience when pressed, so it might wrinkle.
• Oil attaches very easily to olefin and it is almost impossible to remove. 
• The fibre has a low melting point 

Polyester

Although it is strong and resistant to abrasion, polyester is rarely used alone in furniture. The material is blended with other fibres to add wrinkle resistance and reduce fading. When combined with wool, the material leads to pilling.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Polyester Fabrics

• Polyester isn’t a very absorbent fibre. It dries up fast and can be wet or steam cleaned.
• The fibres are fairly resistant to soiling.
• Water-based stains are easy to remove. However, oils are easily absorbed in the fibres, making grease stains more difficult to clean.
• Polyester is resistant to alkalis and bleaches. Still, such detergents should be used cautiously.
• The fibres are resilient to sunlight exposure.
• As with most synthetic fibres, polyester won’t be attacked by microorganisms, and it is also easily flammable.

Viscose Rayon

Viscose Rayon or Rayon is a cellulose fibre often used instead of silk in clothing and upholstery fabrics. Although it wrinkles, it is a very durable material, however, it isn’t a practical choice for the sofa in the family room.

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

Cleaning and Maintenance of Rayon

• The strength of rayon fibres decreases when wet, and they can also shrink. That is why you should turn to a professional for the deep cleaning of the furniture.
• Weak acids easily damage rayon.
• Not harmed by weak solutions of alkalis, but strong alkalis cause swelling, and the fabric can lose its strength. 
• Rayon is a very absorbent fabric that needs more time to dry.
• Prolonged sunlight will weaken rayon upholstery.
• The fabric is susceptible to mildew, so not a good option for humid rooms.
• Rayon doesn’t stand heat very well, and it is very flammable.

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

We like to think our checklist is pretty comprehensive. By following it, moving out of a rented property and getting settled into your new home will be less stressful and more exciting.

The amount of time you need to plan ahead will depend on how much you need to do. We recommend you scan through the list below and decide beforehand. Some people even need up to 2 months.

You might also like: How to Secure Your Deposit Return with End of Tenancy Cleaning

Check Your Tenancy Agreement

Before you vacate a rental, you will have multiple responsibilities to fulfil. That is why you should check your obligations well in advance.

You will have to double-check the date your lease expires. Make sure it coincides with your moving date to avoid any issues. You don’t want to have to end up paying for storage and hotels.

If you do end up having to book hotels and storage space, do so several days in advance.

And, of course, make sure you check the tenancy agreement. This way you will avoid missing any of your obligations as a tenant. These will typically include:

• You must leave the rental property in a good state of repair;
• Performing a thorough end of tenancy clean is also obligatory to guarantee it’s suitable for new tenants;
• Hand in keys, fobs and keyrings;
• Ensure everything from the inventory list is present and in working order;
• Another thing to keep in mind is that your landlord should inform you of your obligations at least 2 weeks in advance. You should check that their requirements correspond with those in your lease agreement. Some landlords may try to make you do more than what was originally agreed when you first arrived;
• You should also be invited to the end-of-lease inspection.
• These few things will inevitably play a major part in your move-out checklist. Make sure you give yourself sufficient time to squeeze in all these chores. The aim is to breeze through them at a steady pace rather. You don’t want to be rushing around like a mad thing on the last few days of your move.

Attend to the Inventory

Upon arrival in your current rental property, the landlord should have given you an inventory list. This list includes things in the property, such as furniture and fittings.

You should go over the inventory to make sure everything is present and in working order. Otherwise, the landlord can use this to withhold a percentage of your security deposit.

• If there are any missing or broken items from the list, you should inform the landlord or letting agent. They can let you know how best to repair or replace them;
• Fix things like nail holes and scuff marks well in advance of your leaving date. Performing tasks in advance, bit by bit will help you have a hassle-free experience;
• Check that all lightbulbs are working. Replace those that need replacing, as letting agents can ask an electrician to do that. That would include fees on top of the cost of lightbulbs that will be deducted from your security deposit;
• Make sure all the keys and fobs for the property are present. To avoid being charged for missing keys, get new ones cut.

If you neglect to fulfil your responsibilities, the landlord has the right to retain some to all of your deposit. That is why it is in your best interest to follow the instructions from our hassle-free tenant’s moving guide.

Admin Checks

The little odds and sods of admin duties tend to get overlooked. Make sure to pay extra attention to this section.

• It’s a good idea to secure time off work. Depending on the size of the rental, the amount of belongings you have
• and the distance you have to travel to your new place, you may want to take a couple of days off. This will secure a hassle-free moving experience;
• Inform the Post Office of the date to start redirecting your mail to your new address;

You will also need to inform all utility companies you are changing your address. Otherwise, you will be liable for services you are not using. These services include:

• Gas and electric;
• Waterboard;
• Telephone/Broadband;
• TV/Satellite;
• TV licence;
• Alternative fuel supplier (propane gas, wood chips, coal).

You will also need to inform the following institutions:

• Bank;
• Insurers;
• Driving license;
• GP/Hospital/Dentist;
• Children’s school/university;
• HMRC;
• Local authorities (council tax, JSA or other benefit agencies);
• Companies House (if relevant);
• Workplace;
• Libraries for returning books/DVDs;
• Commerce websites (Amazon, eBay, etc.).
• It is a good idea to also cancel any local services, such as newspapers, cleaners, window cleaners, and fuel delivery.

Packing

Of course, everyone has their own packing systems. However, it is always helpful to have some easy-to-follow guidelines in black and white.

1. First off, you need to declutter. We advise you to start at least one month in advance. It is much easier to sort through things you need and things it’s better to dispose of in advance. After all, it is a waste of time to pack things you are just going to throw away as soon as you arrive;
2. Also, keep in mind that most waste collection companies will only take so many bags a week. If you dump a mountain of them outside all at once, you may receive a heavy penalty from the council;
3. Take all unwanted items that are in usable condition to a local charity shop. One man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure. Not only that, but the money goes to a good cause too;
4. Make sure you have sturdy packaging boxes. You can always grab some banana boxes from your local supermarket. Avoid the larger ones as they can be hard to carry or break under the weight;
5. Start with packing less-used items. You will probably stack other boxes on top of them and this way you won’t have to go digging for things you need;
6. Always label boxes to avoid the frustration of losing things;
7. Make sure you book your removal company well in advance. Alternatively, you could get a rental van and do your own lifting and driving;
8. Another good idea is to pack one or two separate boxes with clothes and other bits and bobs you will need for your first night. Bedclothes, shower gel, toothbrush and toothpaste, towel, makeup, hairbrush, etc.

Hire a Professional Cleaning Service

Most tenancy agreements will include a clause specifying that the rental property should be left clean. Check for a clause that requires obligatory professional end of tenancy cleaning services or steam cleaning carpets, upholstery and linen.

Check also: Carpet cleaning when moving out

Even if you don’t find such a clause, all landlords insist that the accommodation is spotless and ready for new tenants to move in. When the landlord deems the place unfit for its new arrivals, will hire a professional cleaning service themselves. The cost will be deducted from your deposit in this event. However, if you follow our hassle-free tenant’s moving guide, you should avoid any such issues. 

Here is a list of things you should get organized in relation to end of tenancy cleaning:

• Ask your landlord or letting agent if an end of tenancy clean is required. If so, ask what exactly needs to be done, e.g. appliances, ovens, carpets, soft furnishings, windows, etc.
• Also, ask the letting agent to recommend a professional cleaning company. They will likely give you the service provider they use. This will give you the chance to compare prices and find a legitimate end of tenancy cleaning company.
• Whilst scouting for a cleaning company, give them a list of requirements from the landlord. This will enable them to provide you with an accurate quote for the job. Ask for their end of tenancy checklist to see what is included.
• Defrost the freezer. This will also likely be a requirement you can find in the lease agreement. It takes ages to defrost and won’t get done if you leave it to the last minute. You will have to pay for it to be defrosted manually if you leave it to the last day.
• Descale toilets. Due to a lot of hard water in the UK and especially in London, toilets accumulate a lot of limescale. This is often impossible to remove on the last day, so make sure to leave yourself some time. We recommend Harpic original 100% limescale remover. Apply it in the morning and it should be gone after a few days. Do not apply to chrome surfaces as it may tarnish the chrome finish.
• Don’t attempt to tackle carpet stains and spots using your typical cleaning products that say Carpet Cleaner. Those generally make the matter worse.
• Keep your receipts from professional cleaning services as proof. This will serve you if there are any disputes with your landlord regarding your deposit. If your landlord is unhappy with the hygiene, cleaners should return without any additional charge to you.
• Although all London end of tenancy cleaners claim their service is fully guaranteed, some only have a 48h guarantee. This is an insufficient period for an official report to be produced and sent to tenants. Those companies are relying on that fact to avoid any extra work. You need to find one that will leave you a window of at least 7 days.

Read also: Budgeting for Your Move in 2025: End of Tenancy Cleaning Prices in London

Moving Into Your New Home

By the time your moving date arrives, we expect you will have everything organized. Especially if you have followed our hassle-free tenant’s moving guide. However, there a still a couple of things to get done before and on the day of your move:

• Given you have completed your responsibilities, it’s only fair that you should expect equal treatment in your new accommodation. Confirm with your new landlord that the property has been professionally cleaned – feel free to give them our contact details;
• If you are using your own vehicle for the move, fill up the tank the night before. Especially if you are expecting a lot of traffic. The last thing you want is a delay to refuel;
• In case you are using movers, you need to make sure they have a space to park close by. You may need to contact the local council to reserve a bay or two for the vans. Otherwise, you may end up having to pay extra fees;
• Before you move into your new home, take detailed photographs of the entire property. Run through the inventory to make sure everything is in order and keep both the inventory and the photos safe for your next move. Report anything that looks damaged to the letting agent immediately;
• Take the meter readings for gas, electricity and water from your previous rental. You should also take photographic evidence to avoid being charged for utilities you have not used;
• Take the same meter readings in your new home for the same reason;
• Before you finally leave, make sure all the doors and windows are closed and that lights and utilities are off. Also, check that the hot water tank is not on a timer.

Deposit Return

Remember that landlords have the right to refuse to return all or part of your deposit. This is only possible if the terms of the contract have not been fulfilled when you leave. Commonly, landlords make little deductions for scuffed walls or stains that have not been entirely removed. It may sound unreasonable, but it is what it is.

Should a dispute arise, you will have to negotiate with your landlord and come to an appropriate agreement. The best way to resolve an argument is to avoid a dispute in the first place!

Read also: Alarming Trend: End of Tenancy Deposits Disputes Over Cleaning On the Rise!

This article is available as an infographic and you can access it here.

We wish you a happy and hassle-free move. If you have any doubts about our hassle-free tenant’s moving guide, feel free to get in touch if you need friendly advice or help!

Cleaner Cleaner Ltd.

There was so much to get done. Shopping, cleaning, setting the table, getting the children ready, cooking, and getting ourselves ready. By the time the guests arrived we were so exhausted, all we wanted to do was curl up in bed and call it a night.

And as if that wasn’t enough, when the guests had left, we discovered a large wine stain on the carpet. My wife let out a heavy sigh and exclaimed, “Not again!”.

Read also: Carpet Stain Removal – Even the most terrible stains can be removed

Keeping your home clean isn’t easy. The carpeted floors make it even worse. Not to mention having two daughters and a dog that are always traipsing in dirt, sand, and whatever else manages to cling to the bottoms of their shoes and paws.

However, the comfort, warmth, and aesthetic appeal that carpets bring to a room makes it worthwhile. The only downside is that they need constant care and attention.

And you can’t just ignore them either. Neglected carpets look worn, ugly, and dishevelled. Imagine the impression that would make on your guests!

As we all know, carpets can become dusty and grimy if not maintained properly. This creates the perfect environment for harmful microbes and foul smells to cultivate. Not only that, but dirty carpets also attract bacteria and insects that break down carpet fibres and breed nasty germs. These germs can be harmful to your health, comfort and air quality in your home.

That is why we have put together this guide to carpet cleaning and carpet maintenance. Here, you will find all you need to know about dealing with common and persistent stains. We will also cover the best, cost-effective products that will help you with that.

Section 1: The Importance of Carpet Cleaning

Dirty carpets can be a threat to your health and that of your family and guests. Every time you enter your house, you are bringing in allergens, such as pollen and dust with you.

These allergens can cause respiratory problems, such as wheezing, sneezing, and coughing. Dust and dirt particles are also an inviting home for bugs and insects that aren’t visible to the human eye. Not to mention the little mites that are gradually eating away at your carpet fibres.

When carpets get clogged with dust, dirt and debris at the edges, just between the carpet and the walls, it restricts the air circulation and creates a musty, unpleasant smell. The microbes also contribute to this smell and affect the air quality in your home.

Because this is something that you grow accustomed to, the smell will often go without detection to the occupants of the house. However, your guests are going to detect it immediately and wonder how you can stand it all day. Not really the impression you want to make on them, right?

Don’t get me started on pets, either. They bring in a number of harmful bacteria that cause illness every time you take them for a walk.

You might also like: Things You Can Do to Keep Your Carpets Clean

Another thing worth mentioning – if you are a tenant, you will want to be keeping your landlord’s carpet clean. Why? Your contract will more than likely contain a clause about leaving the house in tip-top condition. This has become a common point in all lease agreements these days. If you don’t comply, your landlord will pay for an end of tenancy cleaning service or a carpet cleaning service out of your deposit. And they aren’t going to choose a cheap one, are they?

What is the Average Carpet Lifespan?

The average lifespan of an inexpensive carpet in a family home is roughly 3-5 years. When we say family home, we would say 4 persons. Keep in mind that if you have a lot of guests coming in and out, you may only get 2-3 years out of your carpet.

A good, medium-grade carpet from nylon or triexta, however, could give you anywhere between 5 and 15 years. Top-of-the-range carpets should last 25 years if cared for properly.

It is good to keep in mind that if you have children or pets, your carpets are more likely to be subject to spillages, stains and friction. As you know, kids and animals don’t understand the importance of not having accidents on carpets. This means the fabric will degrade at a much faster rate.

Carpets exposed to sunlight are prone to discolouration and you will notice the fabric will become dull rather quickly. That is why you should have thick curtains or blinds in rooms that get a lot of light.

Another important factor to carpet lifespan is the length and quality of the fibre. These two things determine how much wear and tear the carpet can take.

Regular maintenance can extend the longevity of a carpet, regardless of your living conditions. Correct carpet cleaning techniques will also keep your floor coverings looking fresh and new for much longer. How you treat stains and spillages is key to the lifespan of your carpet.

Another few pointers to extending your carpets’ lifespan include removing stains as quickly as possible and vacuuming your carpet regularly. This is to make sure you keep your carpet free of dust, dirt, and insects that degrade the fabric.

Have your carpet professionally cleaned every 6-18 months to make sure you get the maximum lifespan out of it.

Check also: Pros and Cons of Getting a Viscose Rug

What Lives in Your Carpet?

Studies show that a horrifying 200,000 types of bacteria and fungi are lurking in every square inch of your carpet.

It is scary to know that your average carpet is 700x dirtier – and dangerous – than a toilet seat. It is estimated that the average UK household accumulates 20kg of grime yearly. Now imagine how much of those particles infest your carpet.

Dust and dirt also act as an abrasive against carpet fibres. Not only does it accelerate the wear-and-tear, affecting the appearance, but it can also lead to health issues.

An average of half a million dead skin cells daily are also working their way into the fibres. All together with dried saliva, hair, pet hair, and dander, all of which is fodder for microscopic insects. That would include fleas, ticks, mites, ants, flies, and spiders with their old cobwebs.

On top of that, you will typically bring in pollen, bits of dried leaves, as well as other organic matter from outside.

Carpets also absorb moisture. You know what that means – the perfect breeding grounds for biological growth.

If you have pets, as we do, the vast array of organisms living in your carpet will be magnified.

Pets attract fleas which subsequently lay eggs in your carpet fibres. Not to mention that your pets are more likely to walk faeces into the house after a walk in the park. The resulting bacteria could contain germs that cause E.coli, salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus (staph).

How Often Should I Clean My Carpets?

Vacuuming every 2-3 days is the recommended amount for removing dust, dirt and food particles that will harm your carpet fabric. Hoovering removes the majority of dust and other debris.

If you have a lot of people coming through your house, you should vacuum every day. You should also pay attention to areas subject to more traffic (entrance hall, living room) every 3-6 weeks using carpet cleaning products.

Any spillages must be treated as soon as possible. This will prevent stains and lasting damage.

How Often Should I Steam Clean My Carpets?

The best way to keep your carpets fresh and protected is by getting them steam-cleaned professionally. Steam, unlike other methods, penetrates carpet fibres, thus extracting much more dirt than a vacuum. For the majority of synthetic fibre carpets, this is the most effective cleaning method.

Natural fibre carpets, on the other hand, should be cleaned using a dry compound. Wool carpets can be cleaned using water, but you must be careful when doing it. 

If you have children, pets, or smokers living with you, it is recommended you professional steam-clean your carpets every 6 months to a year.

Households that don’t have a great deal of foot traffic or soiling won’t need to get a professional clean so often. Once a year to 18 months should suffice.

These guidelines are exactly that, however. When you notice a build-up of dirt around the doorway, you know it is time for a proper clean.

As a rule of thumb, you should clean your carpets more frequently if you:

• live with someone that has allergies;
• have young children and/or pets;
• live in a dusty region or get a lot of smog;
• have a habit of treading mud or oil into the house;
• host high-pollinating plants inside or near the house;
• live with smokers.

Now that you know the importance of carpet cleaning and how often you should do it, let us get to the main part. In the next section, you will find some of the best methods to deal with common stains on your carpet.

Section 2: How to Clean Common Carpet Stains?

Soiling your carpet is inevitable. No matter the precautions you take, your carpet is going to end up dirty.

The good news is that there are easy-to-follow, effective methods you can use for just about every type of stain. And the best part is that you can use typical household agents for most cases.

Here are some of the methods you will most likely end up needing:

How to Clean Vomit from a Carpet?

1. Use absorbent paper or an old towel to soak up most vomit and scrape away chunks of solid matter;
2. Sprinkle the contaminated area with salt or baking powder and leave the substance for 10 to 15 minutes. This will lift any residue from the carpet fibres;
3. Vacuum over the area to remove the absorbent, then treat the area with a commercial stain remover that can be used on carpets;
4. Blot the stain with a clean, damp cloth. Do not scrub the wet patch as this will push vomit into the carpet fibres;
5. Allow the afflicted area to dry overnight and, if possible, open a window to ventilate the room and get rid of the smell. If you have a steam cleaner, use it on the stained area to deep clean the fibres. A steam cleaner eliminates germs and bacteria that create foul odours.

How to Clean Human Urine from a Carpet?

1. Use an absorbent towel to blot up as much of the urine as possible. Be careful not to rub it in;
2. Mix a solution of water and vinegar; 1/2 a cup of warm water and 1/2 a cup of vinegar;
3. Saturate the afflicted area and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to absorb the residue. Now blot it dry;
4. Sprinkle baking powder or salt over the area;
5. Mix 3/4 cup of peroxide with 1tsp of dish soap. Stir the solution and gently pour it over the dry solution;
6. Put on some protective gloves and massage the solution into the carpet with your fingers;
7. Leave the area to dry out completely. You may want to lay some newspaper over the area so nobody walks through it;
8. Once the area is dry, vacuum up the salt/baking powder.

Check also: How to Remove Urine From Your Carpet and Get Rid of the Urine Smell

How to Clean Milk from a Carpet?

1. Use absorbent paper, cloth or towel to soak up as much milk as possible;
2. Take a small bowl and mix two cups of warm water with one tablespoon of liquid hand-washing detergent;
3. Lightly dampen a cloth with water and moisten it with the mixture;
4. Use the cloth to blot up the milk until the stain has disappeared;
5. Sprinkle cornstarch or ammonia over the affected area and leave it to rest for about 30-60 minutes, or however long it takes for the dry compound to soak up the remaining residue;
6. Once the area is dry, take out the hoover and vacuum the affected area of the carpet.

Check also: How to Remove Milk From Your Carpet

How to Clean Wine from a Carpet?

1. Take a dry cloth and blot up as much spilt wine as possible. The more you are able to soak up, the easier the stain is to remove;
2. Once you have soaked up the wine, pour cold water directly on to the stain. This will help to dilute whatever wine is left in the carpet fibre;
3. Continue blotting the stain with the cloth until you can’t get any more out;
4. Make a paste mix by adding baking soda to some water, one part soda and three parts water;
5. Apply the mixture to the tainted area and leave the paste to dry;
6. Hoover up the dry paste;
7. If there is still a visible stain, apply a carpet stain remover.

How to Clean Dried Blood from a Carpet?

1. Brush the affected area with a steel brush to loosen the blood particles and remove the mass of the stain from the surface;
2. Then mix one teaspoon of ammonia or dishwashing detergent with two cups of cold water;
3. Soak a dry, clean cloth or a sponge with the mixture and blot it onto the bloodstain until the stain disappears;
4. Leave the area to dry out. If the bloodstain persists, add hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain and cover it with a paper kitchen towel;
5. Then put something heavy on top of the paper towels to weigh it down so the substance is soaked up.

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

How to Remove Fresh Blood Stains from a Carpet?

1. Always wear gloves as handling blood is a health hazard;
2. Add some water to the bloodstain to dilute the stain and dab at it with a wet cloth. Rinse the area with cold water;
3. Dry the area with a towel or cloth, then lay some paper towels over the carpet to soak up any excess moisture;
4. Leave the area to dry out, then run the vacuum cleaner over it to plump up the carpet fibres;
5. Dispose of contaminated materials responsibly.

How to Clean Cooking Oil Stains from a Carpet?

1. Use paper towels to blot up as much oil as possible. Keep doing this until no more oil appears in the towel;
2. Apply a small amount of alcohol onto a clean washcloth and dab it onto the oil stain. Make sure to blot, and not wipe as this will spread oil across a wider surface;
3. Concoct a mixture made of 1/4 cup of water and a 1/4 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Ideally, the dishwashing liquid should be a well-known brand that is effective at fighting grease and does not contain any lanolin or bleach that could fade the colour of your carpet;
4. Apply the dishwashing mix to the oil stain using a clean sponge and work it into the affected area until the stain is no longer visible;
5. Wash the soap suds out with a small amount of water and blot it up with a clean towel;
6. Add a paper towel to the affected area to soak up the remaining drops of moisture;
7. Leave the area to dry.

Check also: How to Remove Grease Stains From Your Carpets?

How to Clean Motor Oil Stains from a Carpet?

1. Scrape the excess oil away with a butter knife. Be careful not to press down too hard as you could damage the carpet fibres;
2. Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch directly onto the oil stain and leave it to sit for 10-15 minutes;
3. Hoover the powder up;
4. Take a clean cloth and apply several drops of dry-cleaning solvent and dab it into the motor oil stain;
5. If the stain is still visible, mix two cups of warm water with a tablespoon of white vinegar and a tablespoon of dishwashing detergent and work the solution into the stain using a clean sponge;
6. Continue until the stain disappears;
7. Rinse the affected area with cold water and leave it to dry.

How to Clean Ink from a Carpet?

1. Take a can of hairspray and moisten the ink stain;
2. With a towel, dab the affected area gently. You should see the ink transferring to the towel;
3. Continue dabbing until the ink stain disappears;
4. Dampen a towel with lukewarm water and blot the area gently to clean up any remaining traces of hairspray and leave to dry.

How to Clean Acrylic Paint from a Carpet?

• Scrape away as much wet paint as possible with a putty knife;
• When the paint starts to dry out, scrape away the flakes with a steel brush;
• Vacuum the area then remove the pieces of paint and continue scraping until you can’t get any more flakes loose;
• Soak the area with Isopropyl alcohol concentrate and dab it with a dry cloth;
• Leave the patch for 15-20 minutes to allow the solution to loosen the particles;
• Now, blot the stain using a clean cloth to remove as much paint as possible. Be careful to use dabbing motions rather than scrubbing otherwise you could damage the carpet fibres;
• A steam cleaner is also useful at this point to deeply moisten the carpet fibres and break up the remaining particles of paint;
• Now, apply glycerin to a clean cloth and dab it into the paint stain;
• Repeat the blotting process until the stain is completely lifted;
• Leave the area to dry for a couple of hours then vacuum the carpet.

Read also: How to Prevent Carpets Stains When Painting and Decorating the House

How to Clean Makeup Products from a Carpet?

1. Nail Polish

Using a damp cloth, wet the stain. Make sure you use cold water;
Spray around 15 pumps of hairspray into the stain then rub five small splashes of concentrated alcohol onto the affected area;
Scrub the carpet with a small scrubbing brush;
Whilst your scrubbing, continue to add clean water to the area every minute or so until the stain is no longer visible.

2. Eyeshadow

1. If you have a light-coloured carpet, you can use hydrogen peroxide. Although it does have bleaching properties that can fade the colour of carpet fibres, a few drops on a light coloured carpet is safe;
2. Allow the solution to settle and work its way into the carpet fibres for a couple of minutes;
3. Take a dry microfiber cloth and blot the affected area with gentle dabs;
4. Once most of the moisture has been removed, take a new microfibre cloth and dampen it with water. Dab this cloth into the wet patch to remove traces of hydrogen peroxide;
5. Use a third cloth, or a new paper towel to soak up the water.

3. Eyeliner

1. Mix a small portion of water and white vinegar in equal measure;
2. Dab the mixture on to a clean cloth;
3. Working from the outside in so you don’t smudge the eyeliner into the carpet, blot the stain with the cloth until you lift as much as you can of the eyeliner;
4. Sprinkle the remaining vinegar solution on the affected area and lightly blot it with a clean microfibre cloth.

4. Foundation

1. It’s important to tackle foundation spillages asap otherwise it seeps into the carpet and creates a deeper stain.
2. First of all, scrape up any excess powder with a butter knife;
3. Mix some dish soap with cold water and lightly dampen it onto a clean cloth;
4. Working from the outside in, gently blot the stain until there is no more foundation on the carpet;
5. Remove the traces of soapy water by blotting a clean microfiber cloth on the wet patch of the carpet;
6. Leave the carpet to dry then give it a once over with a vacuum cleaner.

Section 3: Common House Remedies for Cleaning Carpets

Specially formulated carpet cleaning agents are by far the best option for removing stains. However, there are several household items, in most cases, that will do the job just as well.

Listed below, you will find several home remedies that will help you with carpet cleaning. And the best part is that you can concoct them with things you will probably have knocking around the house.

We have also included some alternatives you might want to consider if the stain removal doesn’t go to plan. However, only use the alternative as a last resort and be sure to take care.

1. Cleaning Carpets with Baking Soda

Baking soda is an all-time favourite for most people. This multifunctional little thing has numerous practical uses in your home – carpet cleaning being one of them.

Courtesy of its non-toxic, biodegradable properties, baking soda is an excellent home remedy you can use for cleaning and deodorizing carpets. Its pH-balanced properties fight odours, such as pet urine and smoke. And the best part is that it’s not abrasive, so it won’t wear down your carpet fibres.

Not only that, but baking soda works as an absorbent compound. This means that it absorbs excess moistures. It can be used for both oily and non-oily spillages and also helps dry out wet patches in your carpet quickly and efficiently.

To use baking soda for cleaning carpets, all you need to do is sprinkle a generous portion over the stain. The best option is to leave it to settle overnight, but you could also leave it for 5-6 hours during the day.

You will notice the baking soda is dry and crusty after a certain amount of time. This means it is time to vacuum up the residue.

2. Cleaning Carpets with Vinegar

White vinegar is arguably just as effective when carpet cleaning as baking soda. Its acidic properties mean that it is a natural antibacterial and antimicrobial agent.

Vinegar is a tough component for removing stains. Not only that though. It is also highly efficient in tackling mould and loosening dirt particles buried into your carpet fibres. You can mix it with deodorizing liquids to leave your carpets looking nice and fluffy, as well as smelling fresh.

An important reminder when using vinegar as a carpet cleaner, though. Always dilute it with equal amounts of water. Otherwise, it will discolour the fibres of your carpet.

To clean your carpets using vinegar, apply the mixture by either lightly sprinkling or spraying the solution over the stain. Alternatively, dab it into the stain with a white cloth.

Another important reminder – white vinegar may not always be effective on the first go. You may need to repeat the process a few times before it works.

3. Cleaning Carpets with Bleach

There is always a big question mark when it comes to carpet cleaning with bleach. Is it effective, is it a good idea? The short answer is yes, you can use bleach to clean only polypropylene carpets. Be careful to follow the procedure below exactly as instructed.

There are certain circumstances when bleach is not recommended.

Bleach contains strong chemicals. These chemicals can strip the colour out of carpet fibres. That is why you only use bleach on white to very light coloured floor coverings.

Bleach for cleaning wool carpets is a big no. It also isn’t the best option for cleaning synthetic carpets either.
Furthermore, bleach should always be diluted with water. Measure one tbsp of bleach to a gallon of water.

Another big no is mixing bleach with ammonia or vinegar.

To avoid children or pets suffering from chemical burns, always make sure they can’t reach the area that has been treated with bleach.

For the same reason, always wear rubber gloves when cleaning with bleach. Health and safety experts recommend wearing a mask. Overexposure to bleach can have negative effects on the respiratory system.

To clean carpets with bleach, apply your diluted solution and leave it for 30 minutes. Now, rinse out the area thoroughly using carpet shampoo. After which, give it another good rinse with clean water.

Household Products You Should Only Use as a Last Resort

Many household products can be used for carpet cleaning. However, many have been tried and tested, and have failed. There are also countless articles floating around the internet, some of which are credible, and some of which are not.

Below, we will list these products and the correct methods for using them if you must. Only ever try out these if all other options have failed.

The health risk is not worth the amount of money you’ll save from not buying a proper cleaning solution instead.

1. Borax

You may have heard of this one under its other name – sodium tetraborate. Borax is a natural ingredient that is used in several cleaning products. Among them, all-purpose cleaners and laundry detergent.

If you have some tough stains, adding borax to baking soda or vinegar helps give these home remedies an extra bit of strength. This will help to lift dirt and stains from your carpet.

Although borax is a low-toxicity pesticide, there are some doubts that overexposure to it could pose health risks. That is why it is recommended that homemade cleaning solutions with borax should be used sparingly.

To use borax for carpet cleaning, add a cup of it to a mix of baking soda and water. Then, blot the solution onto the stain and leave it for several hours to dry.

Place paper towels over the wet patch to speed up the drying process. When fully dry, give it a once over with a hoover.

2. Ammonia

Many commercial cleaning agents for the kitchen and bathroom contain ammonia. It is highly toxic, thus excellent for killing microbes. However, its fumes can cause headaches and respiratory issues if you inhale too much of it.

Ammonia is highly alkaline, making it corrosive. It can cause discolouration and should never be used on wool or other natural fibre carpets.

You can use ammonia to clean carpets. Use it sparingly and follow the health and safety precautions you will find below. Only ever use ammonia if you have tried and failed using other carpet cleaning options.

To use ammonia for cleaning stains, mix 2 tbsp of it with a cup of water. Use a sponge or a clean cloth to apply the solution to the affected area.

Immediately afterwards, blot the area with warm, soapy water (use dishwashing detergent). Be careful to only dab the area, never scrub. Allow the carpet to dry and give it a good vacuuming.

Read also: Ammonia As a Carpet Cleaning Solution

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural chemical that is becoming increasingly popular as a carpet cleaning agent. This is because it is more environmentally friendly than commercial cleaning agents that you can find in supermarkets.

Although you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean carpets, it has chemical properties that will slightly discolour carpet fibres. To make it doesn’t damage your carpet, test it on a small area to determine the effect it will have.

Never use hydrogen peroxide that is more than 3% concentrate. Always dilute it with water.

To use hydrogen peroxide for carpet cleaning, mix 1 part to 5 parts hot water and add 1tsp of biodegradable dishwashing detergent. Use a soft brush to scrub the mixture onto the area. After cleaning, open a window to ventilate the room.

Section 4: How to Maintain your Clean Carpets

One of the most important factors when it comes to carpet maintenance is knowing how to properly care for your floor coverings. This will help you prevent your floors from getting overly dirty and keeps them looking fresh and new for much longer.

To increase your carpet’s lifespan, you will need to clean it regularly. You need to remove dirt and grime that causes friction to get more wear out of it. Otherwise, you will be creating the perfect environment for millions of bugs to settle down and nibble away at your carpet fibres.

The main rule that everyone knows – regular vacuuming. How often you should hoover depends on how much foot traffic passes through your house:

In an average household of 2-4 people, you can get away with vacuuming every 2-3 days.
However, if you have pets or children, you should hoover every day.

Carpet manufacturers will typically recommend you steam clean your carpets every 6-12 months. However, natural fibre carpets will need an alternative professional cleaning service, such as encapsulation or dry compound cleaning.

All of the above services effectively penetrate carpet fibres, unlike regular hoovering and DIY treatments. This not only makes your carpet look plush and new but also protects them from microbes that degenerate carpet fibres. As a result, giving your carpet a longer lifespan. Another thing you can do to keep your carpets clean longer is to request stain protection during your next carpet cleaning appointment.

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

How to Protect Carpets from Getting Dirty Quickly

Every time you enter the house, your shoes are carrying in soil, oil, dirt, pollen, fertiliser, and all manner of bacteria. All of this is getting traipsed through your carpet. This is why shoes should be left at the front door.

Cooking oil is another devil for carpets. If you have carpeted areas near the kitchen, close the doors to prevent them from getting to them. You would be surprised by how fair cooking oil can travel once it starts spitting.

Environmental experts advise a professional carpet clean every 1-2 years.

You may be wondering when is the best time to get your carpet professionally cleaned. The best time to get it done is before it looks dirty and worn. If it gets to that point, it will be very hard to restore it to its initial new look. Did you know they can hold up to 10lbs of soil per square foot before they start looking dirty?

Carpet fibres develop a build-up of dirt if not deep cleaned at least once a year. When this goes too far, it will be much tougher to remove grime and harmful microbes, even with a professional clean.

Another important factor – using the correct detergent and applying the right technique. Always remember, there isn’t one universal method or solution. Each carpet is individual.

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

Section 5: Best Methods for Cleaning Carpets

For general carpet cleaning and regular maintenance – use your vacuum and simple cleaning products.

However, there are going to be days when cleaning your carpet isn’t going to be as easy as that. Sometimes vacuuming and scrubbing until your fingers are raw just isn’t enough to deal with blemishes and dirt.

At this point, you are going to have to suck it up and admit that your ordinary cleaning methods aren’t enough to get your carpet looking spick and span. The good news is that you have some alternative methods that will be more effective.

Check also: Which carpet cleaning method is the best?

1. Steam Cleaning or Hot Water Extraction

Steam cleaning is a process that uses water that is heated at 150°F-200°F. As a result, steam will be created. This steam will penetrate the fibres of your carpet much better than any scrubbing with various detergents. The steam dissolves the dirt, leaving you with a fresh, soft and bacteria-free carpet.

You will have to add a cleaning agent to your steam cleaner. The machine will then agitate the fibres with a soft brush. You then leave the agent to settle for a short while before washing through and leaving to dry at room temperature.

One of the benefits of steam cleaning is that the high temperatures effectively loosen dirt particles. The temperature also kills microbiological organisms, such as bacteria, fungus and dust mites. After which, the debris is sucked up using a hoover.

Furthermore, steam cleaning allows you to reach tight nooks and crannies that you can’t always get to with a vacuum or other cleaning methods. That is why vetted technicians always recommend a good steam cleaning over other methods.

Having said that, this method may not be ideal for all carpet types. It is good for wool blend and synthetic carpets. However, if you have a natural fibre carpet, such as viscose, tencel, seagrass, or just, your best option is to try dry compound cleaning.

Another downside to steam cleaning is that you will use quite a lot of water. This means that it will take a while for your carpet to dry out.

Steam cleaning is one of the most popular methods, however, it remains one of the more expensive ones.

2. Carpet Shampooing

Shampooing (or foaming) is another option, although not that popular nowadays. Many professional cleaning agencies offer a shampooing service, typically coupled with steam cleaning.

This method is fast and inexpensive, however, it is not the most effective way to draw out dirt and grime. Not only that, but because the foam is left to dry without being rinsed, it often leaves a sticky, unpleasant residue on your carpet.

You can try vacuuming your carpet to remove this residue, although not all hoovers have enough suction power to deal with all of the foam.

If you have a steam cleaner handy, this will loosen the hardened foam and allow you to completely remove it. Namely why shampooing and steam cleaning come as a coupled service.

3. Encapsulation

Foam encapsulation is a new technology that is more environmentally friendly than other methods. You could consider it the evolution of carpet shampooing. It is capable of tackling tough stains and deeply ingrained dirt.

Encapsulation uses synthetic detergents that crystallise into powder after drying. This then creates a base that loosens dirt particles in the carpet, making it easier to suck up carpet debris.

As a result, this method provides a deeper cleanse so that you needn’t clean your carpets as often – even in high foot traffic areas.

Another advantage of the encapsulation method – you don’t use as much water, meaning a quicker drying time.

The only downside to encapsulation is that you need a motorised rotary brush for the technique to be effective. Add that to the specially formulated cleaning solution and the method ends up being a bit more expensive than other options.

4. Bonnet Cleaning

Bonnet cleaning is the ideal routine maintenance for lightly soiled carpets. This method only really removes particles from the surface, but it is the best quick-fix solution. And what’s more, it doesn’t create a disturbance to your general day-to-day activities like some of the other options.

Before starting the bonnet cleaning process, you should always give the carpet a once over with a vacuum. This will remove surface dust, hairs and loose dirt particles. Then you spray the carpet with a chemical solution and leave it to rest.

After the solution has been given time to react with the fibres, cleaners would generally use a heavy-duty motorised floor machine. It is fitted with large absorbent pads, or better known as a bonnet, and spun over the carpet at 100-300 rpm.

This rotary action works the chemicals into the carpet fibres. The pads are then absorbing dirt from the carpet surface.

Bonnet cleaning doesn’t require much moisture. This means your carpets will dry quickly. That is what makes it one of the most popular methods in hotels with a lot of foot traffic that need to keep all areas open to avoid inconveniencing their guests.

However, although this method keeps your carpet looking bright and clean, it doesn’t deal with deeply set grime. Your clean appearance isn’t going to be very long-lasting. This is because it doesn’t penetrate the deeper parts of the pile.

Another disadvantage of bonnet cleaning is that your carpet fibres are going to retain a build-up of the chemical residue. This will eventually lead to your floor covering disintegrating at a faster rate.

5. Deep Cleaning or Dry Cleaning

This method of carpet cleaning came along in the 1980s and has become quite popular nowadays. The idea is that you use a dry compound formula to deal with the dirt.

Dry cleaning, also known as compound cleaning, uses a powdered solution that has the ability to deep clean without water. This method is considered an effective evolution of bonnet cleaning.

The methodology has more or less the same concept as bonnet cleaning. A powder compound is applied to the carpet and left to work its way into the fibres.

After which, a motorised rotary machine is used to work in the remaining compound into the deeper parts of the carpet. This allows the compound to settle and give the carpet a thorough clean.

The compound used for this method is biodegradable. It dissolves dirt and grime and can be later vacuumed up along with all the other particles.

However, this may not be the case with plush carpets. Long-pile floor coverings are much more difficult for cleaning solutions to successfully deep clean them. The powdered compound can end up getting trapped in it and will accumulate over time, along with all the dirt.

Section 6: Professional Carpet Cleaning Services

We all know that keeping your house clean is a time-consuming chore that sucks out all your energy. And that’s before we even get to deep-cleaning the carpets.

Sometimes you need a bit of professional help to take the weight off your shoulders. Not only do carpet cleaning agencies equip their technicians with specialised tools and products, but they also know how to care for your carpet correctly.

That alone can end up saving you hundreds and hundreds of pounds. The more you care for your carpet, the longer it will last.

Restoring your carpet’s shine with a deep cleanse not only helps with its appearance but also deals with nasty bacterias. You don’t want a health hazard in your home, especially if you have children that are still developing their immune system.

Professional carpet cleaners will take the hassle and stress of deep carpet cleansing. This is because they are vetted technicians with years of hands-on experience that know how to get the job done.

You should consider contacting the pros in the following situations:

• when you don’t have enough time on your hands;
• if you don’t have the correct equipment;
• your carpet is looking dirty even after you’ve tried vacuuming and commercial cleaning products;
• when your carpet has stubborn stains that won’t come out;
• if you are worried about attempting a home stain removal;
• you have an expensive carpet;
• you need to recover your security deposit at the end of your tenancy.

Courtesy of their professional equipment, professional carpet cleaning really does make a difference. You just can’t reach the same results with commercial products.

Another thing, using commercial steam cleaning apparatus is not as effective as industrial machines. And scrubbing your carpets by hand with a brush will end up damaging your carpet fibres over time.

Don’t risk wearing your carpet thin before its time.

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Important Factors When Choosing Rental Flooring

Before we begin, we want to underline the main factors you should keep in mind when choosing flooring for your rental:

1. Cost – of course, one of the most important things to consider is cost. As a landlord, your aim is to make money. Making the right decision is a crucial part of making sure you do just that. You want to go for something that is attractive so as to rent your property out as soon as possible. However, you don’t want to go and buy luxurious flooring as it can be extremely expensive to replace if damaged.
2. Durability – another vital factor. If you go and buy the cheapest flooring you can find, it is highly likely that you will need to replace it within the year. You want something that is quality material that will withstand a lot of wear and tear. Durable materials are essential to avoiding the constant replacement of your flooring.
3. The function of the room – the type of flooring you choose also depends on the area you are dealing with. You don’t want to go carpeting the bathroom, for instance. It’s not the best option for eating and cooking areas either. Rooms that have a lot of humidity are going to need hard flooring as well, as moisture damages carpets.
4. Keeping it neutral – your rental property needs to be neutral. You don’t want to go designing it to your taste as not everyone is going to like what you like. That’s why you should stick to neutral colours and materials that will appeal to most people.

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Carpet vs. Wood Flooring for Your Rental Property

Now that we have gotten those important factors out of the way, it is time to get to the main point. Here, we will walk you through the pros and cons of each option. We will also take a look at the best choice to make while taking the room type and target tenants into consideration.

1. Carpet Flooring for Your Rental Property

Carpets bring a cosy feel to a home. This may be more attractive to some tenants, such as families. It is always nice to have a soft, warm rug under your feet when you are walking. However, there are many things you need to take into consideration before choosing a carpet:

• If your rental is going to be let out to families, you might want to choose carpets for only some of the rooms. For instance, the living room and master bedroom. This will provide a nice, homey feel to the property.
• Putting carpet in children’s bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and damp areas is a definite no.
• When choosing carpet, make sure to get something stain resistant that is easy to clean. Short pile or loop pile wool carpets are a good option.
• Before your tenants move in, you will want to stain protect them.
• Another must – inform the tenants that they are not to tackle any stains or spillages on their own, not under any circumstance. They must inform you immediately so can deal with the stain removal.
• Carpets in bedrooms can help rent out a property quicker and allow you to ask for a higher monthly rent.
• Carpets in your rental will likely have a lifespan of between 2-5 years. They will rarely last longer than that. That is why you don’t want to get anything too expensive. You don’t want to go too cheap either, however, because then you will be likely to get only 1-2 years out of them.
• Another important point is that you will more than likely have to conduct professional carpet cleaning between each tenant. This is so as the property stays looking fresh, new, and attractive to potential renters.

2. Wood Flooring for Your Rental

Now let us take a look at wood flooring in comparison to carpets. If you are uncertain of the type of tenants you will be welcoming into your rental, this is definitely the wiser choice. Here are a few things to consider when going for this option:

• If you want to go for something that looks great, is easy to replace, and isn’t over your budget, you should go for commercial grade laminate flooring. It will also be much easier for your tenants to maintain than carpet.
• We definitely suggest going for this type of flooring if you are uncertain about the tenants you will be accomodating.
• If you will be housing students, young adults, or allowing people with pets, this is your best choice. As we all know, the young ‘uns have other priorities and won’t really be thinking about cleaning and maintenance.
• Another thing is that a lot of people like to give their house a more homely feeling. If you have laminate flooring in your rental, tenants can bring their own rugs or carpets that suit their own taste.

Carpet vs. Wood Flooring – Summary

Now that we have gone over the important points of choosing flooring for your rental, let’s just quickly summarise. Although carpets can give a place a cosy feel, they aren’t so easy to maintain. They can increase the rent, however, you need to think about whether that increase will cover the maintenance costs. When you go for wood flooring, you know it is the safer option. This way you won’t have to arrange both end of tenancy cleaning and carpet cleaning between tenants. Make sure you make the right choice and don’t end up emptying your wallet for careless mistakes.

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