How to Care for your Carpet

The most important thing is to act quickly when tackling a spill or potential stain.

Please see our guide below that will help with most spillages and marks.  Remember to test the method on a spare piece of carpet or in a hidden place just incase the carpet is damaged by the process.  It does not matter if it is a cheap carpet or an expensive one these same theories still apply. 

A Depending on the spill:

Absorb the liquid spills by blotting (DO NOT RUB) with absorbent cloths or plain white paper towels, or scrape lightly to loosen a hard or crusty type stain, or scoop up soft substances with the dull edge of a spoon or vacuum any loose particles that can be readily removed.

B Sponge warm water onto the spill, blot the spill firmly using a sponge or cloth. Repeat this procedure several times, rinsing the sponge or cloth frequently. Take care not to overwet the carpet and do not walk on the carpet until thoroughly dry.

C If the stain is not removed by the use of warm water, locate the substance on the spot removal guide overleaf and follow the directions carefully.

D The final process on carpets after following wetting and blotting should be as follows:- Place 5-6 layers of kitchen roll on the affected area and place on top a heavy book such as a telephone directory. Allow to dry over 2-4 hours. The kitchen roll will absorb any stain in the base fibres.

Technique A for greasy stains

Use Methylated Spirits. (NB: Take Care! Methylated Spirits are flammable). Do not apply direct to the stained area. Using a piece of cotton wool apply to the edges of the stain and gradually work inwards. Blot with absorbent tissue/kitchen roll to remove excessive moisture. Do not worry if colours darken during this process. Repeat if required. Using a soap solution on cotton wool dampen the area and blot again with tissue/kitchen roll. Dry using a hair-dryer continually moving over the damp area (this will prevent watermarking) until dry.

Technique B for water based stains

Soak up immediately using absorbent cloths (towelling) tissues or kitchen roll. If stain persists re-wet using a solution of tepid water and non-biological washing powder only on a small piece of sponge or cotton wool. Repeat as necessary.

Technique C for dried-in stains

Soap Solution (two litres of tepid water mixed with half a teaspoon of carpet shampoo or non-biological washing powder only) Re-wet the stained area using the soap solution applied on a piece of cotton wool. Blot using kitchen roll as above.

Technique D for chewing gum

Scrape or blot excess spill. Freeze with ice cubes. Shatter with blunt object such as the back of a spoon. Vacuum chips away before they melt.

Technique E for white glue and nail polish

Apply nail polish remover (non-oily acetone type). Use a cotton towel to apply to the spill. Don't wet through to carpet backing. Pick up softened material, use clean white paper towel and push toward the centre of the spot to avoid spreading material. Repeat above - soften and carefully remove a layer of the material each time. Haste may spread the stain and/or damage the carpet.

Technique F for shoe polish, urine, vomit etc

Apply detergent (see "cleaning solutions"), use damp towel, leave 3-5 minutes. Blot - don't rub. If stain is removed, finish with a water rinse, blot, followed with a pad of weighted paper towels. If stain not removed, continue as follows. Apply hydrogen peroxide solution (see "cleaning solutions"), let stand 2-3 hours under a weighted sheet of plastic wrap. Repeat application of hydrogen peroxide and dry under weighted plastic wrap until removal is completed. Apply water with damp towel. Blot - finish with weighted pad of paper towels. Apply white vinegar (undiluted) only after stained removed.

Technique G for candle wax

Scrape off excess material. Cover with white cotton towel or brown paper. Apply warm iron (warm, not hot: use lowest setting first if unsure, do not exceed synthetic or medium setting) until material is absorbed. be sure towel is large enough to cover the stained area. Take care never to touch the iron to the carpet as the fibre may melt. Change towel or rotate to clean area and repeat until all material is absorbed.

Some carpets now even come with a lifetime stain free warranty!  This amazing offer is on some Abingdon carpets and the will soon be able to be purchased online on our sister site Cheap Carpets and Underlay.  Ideal for a stair carpet stain resistant carpets are very versatile. 

However cleaning your carpet - no matter what material it is made from is very important.  Regular vaccumming and spot cleaning is essential.

The most important thing is to act quickly when tackling a spill or potential stain.

Please see our guide below that will help with most spillages and marks.  Remember to test the method on a spare piece of carpet or in a hidden place just incase the carpet is damaged by the process.  It does not matter if it is a cheap carpet or an expensive one these same theories still apply. 

Depending on the spill:

Absorb as much liquid spills by blotting (DO NOT RUB!!!) with an absorbent cloth or plain white paper towels (coloured ones might transfer the dye and make the problem worse), or scrape lightly to loosen a hard or crusty type stain then vacuum any loose particles that can be readily removed.

Then Sponge warm water onto the spill. Continue to blot the spill firmly using a sponge or cloth. Repeat this procedure several times and rinse the sponge or cloth frequently. Take care not to over wet the carpet and do not walk on the carpet until thoroughly dry.

If the stain is not removed by the use of warm water, locate the substance on the spot removal guide below and follow the directions carefully.

Stubborn Stain Guide -

Greasy stains

Use Methylated Spirits - Take Care! Methylated Spirits are flammable. Do not apply directly to the stain. Use a piece of cotton wool to apply to the edges of the stain and work inwards. Blot with absorbent tissue or kitchen roll (see note above) and remove excessive moisture.  Using a soapy solution dampen the area and blot again with tissue/kitchen roll. You can then carefully drt using a hair dryer - constantly moving over the area to prevent watermarking until dry.

Technique B for water based stains

Soak up immediately using absorbent tissues or kitchen roll (see note above). If really stubborn re wet using a solution of warm water and non biological washing powder on a small piece of sponge or cotton wool. Repeat as required.

Technique C for dried-in stains

Soap Solution (two litres of warm water mixed with half a teaspoon of carpet shampoo or non-biological washing powder) Re wet the stain area using a soap solution applied on a piece of cotton wool. Blot using kitchen roll as above.

Technique D for chewing gum

Scrape or blot excess spill. Freeze with ice cubes. Shatter with blunt object such as the back of a spoon. Vacuum away before it melts.

Technique E for white glue and nail polish

Apply nail polish remover (non-oily acetone type). Use a cotton towel to apply to the spill. Don't wet through to carpet backing. Pick up softened material, use clean white paper towel and push toward the centre of the spot to avoid spreading material. Repeat above - soften and carefully remove a layer of the material each time. Haste may spread the stain and/or damage the carpet.

Technique F for shoe polish, urine, vomit etc

Apply suitable detergent and use a damp towel, leave 3-5 minutes. Blot - don't rub. If stain is removed, finish with a water rinse, blot, followed with a pad of weighted paper towels. If stain not removed, continue as follows. Apply suitable hydrogen peroxide solution , let stand 2-3 hours under a weighted sheet of plastic wrap. Repeat application of hydrogen peroxide and dry under weighted plastic wrap until removal is completed. Apply water with damp towel. Blot - finish with weighted pad of paper towels. Apply white vinegar (undiluted) only after stained removed.

Technique G for candle wax

Scrape off excess material. Cover with white cotton towel or brown paper. Apply warm iron (warm, not hot: use lowest setting first if unsure, do not exceed synthetic or medium setting) until material is absorbed. be sure towel is large enough to cover the stained area. Take care never to touch the iron to the carpet as the fibre may melt. Change towel or rotate to clean area and repeat until all material is absorbed.

Carpets are usually easy to clean but there are many stains in various rooms - including bedroom carpets