Best Local Carpet Cleaners — Family Owned & Operated Since 2007

Home stain treatment and DIY tips from professional carpet cleaning experts across all London areas and nearby Essex, Kent and Herts.

Accidents happen. While our professional stain treatment services are just a call away, here are some quick and effective DIY tips to help you tackle different types of stains at home.

DIY Stain Cleaning

Here are some simple steps for removing stubborn stains from carpet:

1. Blot up the stain to remove excess liquid. The first thing to do when a glass of red wine or a cup of hot chocolate is spilled over your carpet is to get a clean, soft cloth or paper towel and gently blot up as much of the stain as you can. An absorbent paper towel will instantly remove some of the wet stain to make the rest of the process easier. Be sure to blot carefully and not scrub, as the stain can spread or get pushed further down into the carpet’s fibres. Also avoid using hot water, as this can disperse the stain and make it much worse.
2. Gently rinse the accident spot. Mix ¼ part vinegar to 1 part water and add the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray over the area, then cover with an absorbent towel or kitchen paper. Apply some weight on top (you can use heavy books or a table) and leave for 6–8 hours, repeating if necessary. This is not the most effective solution for all cases, but sometimes it’s the simplest things that get the best results for tough stains.
3. Use a carpet shampoo. If you have a carpet shampoo or stain remover already at home, try removing the stain with it. If you don’t have a special shampoo to hand, combine a couple of drops of dish soap or laundry detergent with a cup of water. If the stain has already dried into the carpet fibres, try brushing it out with a carpet brush once the shampoo has been added.
4. Pour some salt on your carpet’s wound. This is a trick that never gets old. If the stain is still wet, pour some salt on it to cover it completely. Leave until the stain dries and then vacuum. The salt will have absorbed a big part of the stain, making it easier to finish off using a carpet cleaner or one of the following methods.
5. The vinegar and liquid detergent solution. Use a mixture of ¼ cup warm water, ½ teaspoon of liquid detergent and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Make sure you use a non-bleach, non-alkaline detergent. Dip a clean, absorbent cloth or sponge into the mixture and blot up the stain. At the end, use a wet cloth to rinse with water and a dry one to absorb as much humidity as possible. Leave until completely dry. Another variation is mixing 2 cups of warm water with a cup of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of dish soap. Try both and see which works best on your carpet.
6. Soda water. Pour some soda water on the stain and leave it for 15–30 minutes. Use a damp cloth, a sponge or even an old toothbrush to get the stain out. This method (along with the vinegar trick) is good for removing bad stains like coffee and blood stains.
7. Baking soda and water. If you don’t have soda water at home, you can make your own. Mix 1 part baking soda to 3 parts cold water and set aside. Use a clean cloth to remove as much of the stain as you can, and when no more comes out, apply the baking soda mixture. Leave until it dries and then vacuum up what’s left.
8. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Spray the stained area with hydrogen peroxide and then pour a small quantity of baking soda — enough to cover the area. Leave for 4 to 5 minutes and then remove with a wet cloth.
9. Hydrogen peroxide and soap. Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 1 part liquid soap — make sure it is suitable for use on fabrics. Put the mixture over the stained area. Wait 1–2 minutes and then use a dry, clean cloth or sponge to gently rub the stain away until it is removed.
10. Beer over coffee. It may sound unusual, but if you accidentally spill coffee or tea on your carpet, pour a small quantity of beer on the stain. Leave for 2–3 minutes and rub it off lightly with a soft cloth or an old toothbrush.
11. Ammonia. Dilute ½ cup of ammonia in 1 litre of warm water, apply on the stain and let it dry. If the stain is not removed completely, repeat once more.
12. White wine on red wine. Another unusual solution: pouring some white wine over a red wine stain and blotting with a clean cloth while the stain is still wet might actually help.
13. Another liquid detergent solution. Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of liquid detergent in 1 cup of warm water. Use a clean dry cloth or sponge mop to gently scrub the stained area. If the results are not as expected, alter the proportion slightly (try ½ teaspoon of detergent to 1 cup of water). When it’s dry, vacuum to remove any residue.
14. More vinegar solutions. Mix vinegar and baking soda in equal proportions to form a thick paste, then add as much warm water as needed to turn it into a thin liquid. Dip a sponge or clean cloth and scrub gently on the stain to blot it up.
15. Hire Best Local Carpet Cleaners to clean it for you. Call, text or WhatsApp 07834726211.

DIY Fabric Freshener

How to make a DIY fabric freshener for your sofa, chairs, mattress or curtains. All you need is the following and you are good to go:

1. Spray bottle
2. ¼ cup surgical spirit
3. 2 tablespoons baking soda
4. About 1½ cups water
5. 30 drops of lavender essential oil

Mix everything up. You’ll probably have to shake it before using to make sure everything is combined and so it works properly. Don’t plan on using your freshener spray right away — you’ll want the baking soda to dissolve a bit before spraying, otherwise it might clog the nozzle. Now spray your smelly furniture away!

Carpet Cleaning Blog

Renting a Carpet Cleaning Machine Like Rug Doctor vs Having Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned

Now more than ever, families all over the world are looking for ways to cut down on spending — a factor that has strongly influenced the do-it-yourself (DIY) trend.

Because of this trend, it’s likely that many of you have considered renting a carpet cleaning machine such as Rug Doctor from your local retailer. Although cleaning your carpets yourself is likely to save you some money in the short term, there are a number of reasons why we don’t recommend this method.

1. Air quality

The majority of DIY carpet cleaners have low water pressure and weak vacuums, which makes it hard to properly clean the fibres of the carpet and remove all the dirty water afterward — so they can actually worsen your air quality if you’re not careful. We recommend having your carpet cleaned at least once a year if air quality is important to you. Most professional carpet cleaners use a hot water extraction method, which ensures the fibres of your carpet are fully saturated in hot water (more than 100°C) and cleaner, removing all of the dirt, dust, pollen, smoke, toxins, germs, bacteria, allergens and contaminants living in your carpet.

2. To lengthen the life of your carpet

Professional carpet cleaning will most certainly extend the life of your carpets, especially if the company you hire uses the hot water extraction method. This ensures any unwanted substances are fully removed from the fibres of your carpet, which strongly assists with the longevity of your carpets.

3. To remove stains, bacteria and allergens

DIY carpet cleaners like Rug Doctor are notorious for leaving behind a residue if they’re not used properly. If this happens to you, you’re likely to have dirtier-looking and smelling carpets than before you cleaned them, as new dirt and bacteria stick to the residue. This is why it’s critical to take extra care when using a DIY carpet cleaning machine. The hot water extraction method that most professional carpet cleaners use is the perfect solution for removing bacteria and unwanted stains from your carpet, no matter how stubborn. This is because the 100°C water fully rinses the fibres of your carpet, pulls them back up, and effectively extracts the dirty water and cleaner — ensuring no residue is left behind. Professional carpet cleaning will most certainly kill and remove any bacteria and viruses from your carpets.

4. To improve the appearance of your home

If you’re cleaning your carpets to improve the appearance of your home because you’ve just put it on the market, we highly recommend you don’t use the DIY method. If the machine you rent is older, or you don’t have the time to ensure it’s doing a thorough job, you could actually end up making your carpets look (and smell) older than they are. The best way to ensure your home looks its best is to have your carpets professionally cleaned. By having a professional carpet cleaner come into your home twice per year, you’ll guarantee that your home and carpets always look their best.

5. To maintain the carpet’s warranty

When you ask about the carpet warranty, make sure you ask whether renting a machine would satisfy the warranty, so that you don’t end up trying to save a bit of money and instead make a costly mistake.

6. To remove bad smells

The reason carpets smell bad when they don’t have a chance to fully dry is the same reason clothing smells bad when it doesn’t properly dry — bacteria! Thankfully, the hot water extraction method removes this bacteria, along with all the dirty water, so any bad smells will be a thing of the past. You can also expect your carpets to dry very quickly in comparison to the DIY method.

Please contact us to chat about how we can help, or to schedule your carpet cleaning! Our professional carpet cleaners will work hard and diligently to remove dirt, stains, viruses, bacteria and other pathogens — leaving your home clean and safe for you and your family, both immediately and long after we’ve left.

Red Flags When Hiring a Carpet Cleaner

Red flags when hiring a carpet cleaner include unbelievably low prices, no written estimate or contract, poor online reviews or no online presence, lack of insurance or credentials, shady sales tactics (upselling, pressure), an unclear cleaning process, and an unprofessional appearance (unmarked vehicles, dirty uniforms) — all signalling potential scams or low-quality service. A good cleaner offers transparent, detailed quotes, clear methods, and shows professionalism in appearance and communication.

Pricing & sales

• Too-good-to-be-true pricing: bargain prices often hide hidden fees for basic services like stain removal.
• High-pressure sales / upselling: aggressive tactics to add unnecessary services are a bad sign.
• No written estimate or contract: verbal quotes are risky; a detailed, written agreement protects you.

Professionalism & experience

• Lack of insurance or licences: they can’t cover damages if something goes wrong.
• No online reviews or only anonymous testimonials: indicates a lack of transparency or poor customer satisfaction.
• Unprofessional appearance: unmarked vehicles or dirty uniforms suggest a lack of pride or care.
• Poor communication: unresponsive or vague answers to questions.

Cleaning process & methods

• Vague cleaning process: unwillingness to explain methods, chemicals or equipment.
• Misleading claims: “exclusive” endorsements or secret methods that are just standard hot water extraction.
• No booties: not wearing shoe covers shows disregard for your home’s cleanliness.

What to look for instead

• Transparent quotes: detailed, written estimates after assessing your carpet.
• Clear process explanation: willingness to discuss chemicals, tools and methods.
• Strong reviews & references: real testimonials with names.
• Professional presentation: branded vehicles, uniforms and courteous technicians.

Carpet Cleaning Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Vacuum regularly
• Remove stains immediately
• Schedule professional cleaning annually

Don’ts

• Avoid harsh chemicals
• Don’t wear shoes at home
• Don’t overwet the carpet
• Skip aggressive DIY carpet cleaning

How to Recognise a Scam

Don’t get scammed! Unfortunately, fake cleaning companies are popping up, taking people’s money and disappearing. Before you book, make sure they are real. Here’s how:

• Do they have a website & phone number? A professional company should have a website and a number where you can actually speak to someone.
• Do they have social media? A real business will have active social media with real posts and customer interactions.
• Do they show their equipment & van? Look for photos of their actual van with a logo and phone number.
• Do they have real reviews & recommendations? Check Google and Facebook reviews to see what real customers are saying.

Best Local Carpet Cleaners is a real, trusted business at your service! Call us today for a professional clean with a company you can trust: 07834726211.