What Are the Hardest Stains to Remove From Carpets?

Cleaning carpet stains can be notoriously difficult to remove. 

Unfortunately, a carpet’s fibres are great at trapping dirt and debris which can make it hard to remove stains after a spillage has occurred. 

Most UK homes have at least some carpet in them, and spillages are likely to occur at some point during day-to-day life. 

With this in mind, the team at John Frederick Ltd has put together a list of some of the hardest stains to remove from carpets, explaining the best ways you can attempt to clean them. Please note, these tips are not guaranteed to work and we always recommend engaging professional cleaning services to avoid damage to your carpets. You should always try a small area first when using any cleaning solutions on your carpets to ensure it does not have a negative effect. 

The hardest stains to remove from carpets

There are a range of different stains that are known to be difficult to remove from carpets. 

We’ll cover some of the most common stains below, and explain how to deal with small spillages related to them. For more significant stains, you may need to call on the services of a professional cleaning company like John Frederick Ltd. We provide a leading carpet cleaning service to customers across Greater London including Hendon, Hampstead, Stanmore, Pinner and beyond. 

Some of the most stubborn stains we come across include:

Coffee

A spilt coffee is a common occurrence in both domestic and commercial properties. A recent survey found that more than 60% of Brits drink coffee, making it easily the most popular beverage in the country (even more than tea!).

Therefore, it’s not a surprise that there will be the occasional coffee spillage that can leave behind an unsightly yellow/brown stain. Use a tissue to blot any excess liquid before trying a combination of washing up liquid and white wine vinegar to tackle the stain.

Red wine 

Perhaps the most famous of all the stubborn stains, a large, dark red wine stain can be extremely difficult to remove once it has set in.

As soon as the spillage has happened, blot it with a sponge and cool water. Then, use a mixture of water and white wine vinegar to clean it, working outwards into the middle of the stain. Be patient, only using small amounts of the cleaning solution at a time to avoid spreading the stain further. 

Mud

Whether from children, pets or your own muddy shoes, walking mud over a carpet is a common way of causing a difficult stain. 

Vacuum the area to clean up any loose dirt and then use a cloth, warm water and an appropriate cleaning solution. 

Ink 

Spilt ink from a leaky pen or cartridge can create one of the hardest stains to remove. 

An ink stain can actually destroy carpet fibres if not dealt with promptly, so make sure to tackle this one as soon as it happens. You’ll need an alcohol cleaner (like nail polish remover) to clean these stains, applying it to the area and blotting. 

Sometimes, this technique can cause the carpet to become dyed, so try a small area first to check the effect. If you’re unsure, always call in the professionals.

Carpet cleaning in London & Hendon 

While it’s worth trying to clean stubborn stains yourself, sometimes professional support will be required. If you’ve had no luck yourself, John Frederick Ltd is here to help. We offer a dedicated carpet cleaning service across London and Hendon.

For more information and to get a free quote, contact our team today.