Red wine, pet stains, mud: what's saveable and what isn't
An honest guide to carpet stains: when to blot, when to call, and when to budget for replacement.
Most carpet stains can be lifted or faded significantly with professional hot-water extraction. Some cannot, because they are not dirt at all but permanent changes to the fibre. Knowing the difference saves you money and disappointment.
First aid for any spill
- Blot, never rub. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper and frays the pile.
- Work from the outside in with a clean white cloth and cold water.
- Skip the supermarket miracle sprays on wool or unknown fibres. Many leave a sticky residue that attracts more dirt.
Usually saveable
Red wine, coffee, tea, mud, food grease and most pet accidents respond well to pre-treatment and extraction, especially when they are fresh. Pet odours need an enzyme treatment that breaks down the source rather than masking it.
Sometimes saveable
Old set-in stains, rust marks and ink can often be faded but not always removed. We assess these on site and tell you honestly before we start.
Not saveable
Bleach marks, sun fading and burns are dye loss or fibre damage. No cleaning method restores colour that is no longer there. The options are a patch repair or replacement, and we will say so rather than charge you for a clean that cannot work.
When to call
If a stain has not lifted after one gentle attempt, stop. Every further attempt makes professional removal harder. Our carpet cleaning is priced per room from £25, including stain pre-treatment, and dries in four to six hours. Sofas and mattresses can be done in the same visit through our upholstery cleaning service.
