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

Image by gpointstudio on Freepik

Safeguarding Your Carpets and Upholstery 

Carpets and upholstery are particularly vulnerable to dust, dirt, debris and stains during renovation. These soft furnishings are dust magnets, trapping particles that can be difficult to remove, even with rigorous vacuuming.

Cover Everything

This is the most fundamental step to protect your carpets and upholstered furniture. Heavy-duty plastic sheets or canvas drop cloths are indispensable. These materials provide a robust barrier against dust and spills. Secure them meticulously with painter’s tape, ensuring that no gaps remain for dust to infiltrate. For high-traffic areas, consider self-adhesive carpet protection film. This practical solution shields carpets from foot traffic and debris.

Remove Your Furnishings

Moving furniture and rugs out of the work area is the ideal solution when possible. If relocation is not an option, wrap each piece thoroughly in plastic sheeting or old sheets, paying particular attention to corners and crevices.

Maintaining Dust-Free Environment

Even with protective measures, a daily vacuum with a HEPA filter is essential. This proactive approach prevents dust from settling deep into carpet fibres, minimising the risk of stubborn stains.

Post-Renovation Cleaning

Once the renovations are complete, a professional carpet and upholstery cleaning service is invaluable. At Cleaner Cleaner, we employ advanced cleaning techniques to remove lingering dust and stains, restoring your soft furnishings to their pristine condition.

Read also: How to Protect Your Carpets From Paint Stains

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

Ways to Protect Your Floors 

Floors bear the brunt of renovation activity and are at risk of scratches, scuff marks, and paint spills. Ensuring their protection is paramount to preserving the integrity of your home.

Place Material Barriers

Utilise robust floor protection materials such as ram board or cardboard sheets. These materials create a physical barrier, shielding your floors from debris and heavy foot traffic. Some handymen prefer using sticky mats, however we recommend against them as they can leave adhesive residue that is hard to remove.

Strategic Runners

Lay down heavy-duty paper or fabric runners along pathways to prevent dirt from spreading throughout the house. This simple measure will significantly reduce the amount of cleaning required post-renovation.

Preventing Dirt at the Door

Place mats at all entry points to minimise the amount of dust and dirt tracked into your home. This simple measure can make a huge difference in maintaining cleanliness.

Consistent Cleaning

Regular sweeping and mopping are essential. Aim to clean daily, paying particular attention to corners and crevices where fine dust accumulates.

Check also:  Carpet vs. Wood Flooring for Your Rental – A Landlord’s Guide to the Best Choice

Maintaining Dust-Free Walls and Ceilings

Protecting walls and ceilings during renovations, though often overlooked, is crucial as they are very susceptible to dust accumulation, which can leave a persistent, difficult-to-remove layer. Therefore, covering walls with plastic sheeting, meticulously secured with tape, is essential to prevent dust from adhering to painted surfaces. Corner guards are equally important to shield edges from chipping and damage caused by moving materials and furniture. Another thing you can do for your walls is to wipe them often with a damp cloth. This proactive measure prevents dust buildup, ultimately simplifying the post-renovation cleaning process and ensuring a pristine finish.

Plastic blinds also trap dust, so don’t forget to remove them before the renovation. Image by freepik

Preserving Windows and Glass Surfaces 

Glass surfaces, including windows, are prone to scratches and paint splatters, requiring careful protection. Cover windows, glass tables, and other glass surfaces with plastic film to shield them from dust and accidental scratches. Use painter’s tape around window edges to prevent paint drips from damaging window frames. Another good idea is to remove curtains and blinds, which trap dust. Store these fabric items in a clean, sealed area until the renovation is complete.

Read also: 10 Simple Ways to Effectively Remove Stickers From Any Surface

Safeguarding Doors and Cabinets 

Doors and cabinets are frequently overlooked during renovations but are vulnerable to scratches, chips, and paint splatters. Provide a protective barrier by wrapping them in plastic or drop cloths. Remove handles and knobs to prevent them from breaking when moving furniture around but also helps prevent dust accumulation and unwanted paint overspray. Also, keep the cabinet doors closed to stop dirt and dust from settling inside. These precautions will help you prevent accidental damage to your wooden furnishings throughout the renovation process.

Use plastic sheets to contain dust and debris to the areas where construction work is happening.

Minimising Dust and Debris Spread 

Construction dust spreads rapidly throughout a home, transforming what begins as a confined mess into a widespread cleaning challenge. To combat this, construct dust barriers using plastic sheeting and zippered openings, effectively containing dust within the work area. Additionally, you can cover air vents with plastic wrap and tape to prevent dust from circulating through the home’s ventilation. If your home has a central heating or air circulation system, it’s best to turn it off during the renovation to avoid spreading dust. Finally, an air purifier can filter fine dust particles, significantly improving the air quality during renovations.

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

Protecting Fixtures and Appliances 

Renovation dust and debris can settle within light fixtures and appliances, potentially leading to long-term damage. To mitigate this risk, cover light fixtures and fans to prevent dust ingress, thereby maintaining optimal performance. For kitchen appliances, the best approach is to wrap them in plastic or, if feasible, remove them from the work area entirely, ensuring they remain protected throughout the renovation process.

Shielding Electrical Outlets and Switches 

Fine dust can also infiltrate electrical outlets and switches, creating potential safety hazards. Therefore, covering outlets and switches with painter’s tape is crucial to prevent dust accumulation. Furthermore, turning off power in the work areas minimises the risk of accidental damage or electrical hazards during the renovation.

Deep upholstery cleaning removes the dirt and dust trapped in your furnishings during the renovation and improves the air quality in your home.

Post-Renovation Deep Cleaning

Even with meticulous precautions, some dust, dirt, and leftover materials are inevitable during renovations, making a comprehensive post-renovation deep clean essential. To ensure a thorough cleanup, follow these steps:

• Take care of after-builders debris: There will be a lot of materials to throw away. Remove any remaining debris, furniture covers, runners, and protective mats, including any leftover construction, painting, and decorating materials.
• Thorough floor cleaning: Even if you have vacuumed daily, you will be surprised how much dust is left under all the covers. Vacuum and mop all floors to eliminate residual dust and debris.
• Dust from top to bottom: Wipe down all surfaces, including walls, countertops, and furniture, to remove any fine dust particles.
• Hire professional cleaners: Schedule a professional cleaning service for carpets, upholstery, and hard-to-reach areas.

These final steps will help you clean your home after the renovation so you can enjoy the results.

Read also: 5 Carpet Issues That Can’t Be Rectified with Carpet Cleaning

Call Us for Post-Renovation Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 

Renovations are a significant undertaking, but by following the tips in our guide, you can minimise the impact of dirt and damage. If you require assistance with deep cleaning of carpets or expert stain removal after your renovation, Cleaner Cleaner is here to help. Our professional cleaning services in London are designed to restore your home to its pre-renovation condition, allowing you to fully enjoy your newly transformed space. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read also: Stain removal is a matter of chemistry

Emulsion paint is used for both interior and exterior walls.

Emulsion paint

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

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

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

Oil-based paints 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carpet protection roll

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

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

Dust sheet

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

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

Gaffer, masking tape or painter’s tape

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

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

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

How to remove a paint stain from the carpet?

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

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

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

Stain removal specialist or carpet cleaner?

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