Pets are important members of a household – though they’re certainly not low maintenance. Having an animal companion can be fulfilling, but also impact your living environment, including your carpets. Here are some tips for choosing the best carpets for your pets.
No matter how well-trained your pets are, they have several traits that make carpet shopping difficult.
Cats and dogs all have claws which can catch in carpets and damage them. Cats also like to scratch surfaces.
Pets that go outside can tread muck through the house. Particularly if you have dogs, you might find that after a long walk they run muddy footprints everywhere with no regard for your carpet.
Another hazard of pet ownership is pests. Ticks, fleas and other pests can travel inside on your pet, burrowing into the carpet.
Pets constantly lose hair and skin cells, which is even more noticeable if your pet has long hair. It can get stuck absolutely everywhere, especially the carpet. This can also make people with allergies ill.
When you get a new pet, there's often an awkward phase where they have to learn that the carpet isn't a toilet. Even once they learn where the litter tray or garden is, pets are liable to have accidents or vomit on carpets.
Cut pile carpets have no loops for claws to catch in. Low-pile carpets like saxony and twist carpets are the best option for pet owners.
In terms of materials, synthetic materials like polypropylene are resistant to dirt. They are also easier to clean, as you are less limited in the cleaning materials you can use.
Choosing dark colours is best to hide stains. However, some people like to choose colours similar to their pet’s fur to conceal it. Or you can choose contrasting colours to make it easier to clean fur up. This is all down to personal preference and how regularly you get a chance to clean them.
It's important to vacuum regularly when you have pets, to keep the amount of fur under control. Make sure that you pay attention to edges and corners, in case any pests have been carried through and laid eggs.
While most stains are best tackled early, muddy pawprints are actually better left to dry. Wet mud is very difficult to clean, but dry mud can be brushed and vacuumed away.
You can hire a professional carpet cleaner to deep clean your carpet and combat any lingering odours.
It's not always easy to remove stains left by pets. The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) makes it simpler with a directory of UK carpet cleaners who can help clean pet-related dirt. All of our carpet cleaners are insured and accredited, so you don’t have to waste valuable time searching for the right contractors.
Search our carpet cleaner directory to get started.
Carpets are more than just floor coverings. They're integral parts of our homes, providing warmth, comfort and style. However, over time, carpets accumulate dirt, dust, allergens and stains, which not only diminish their appearance but can also pose health risks. As a consumer, investing in professional carpet cleaning services is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy home. Here are five reasons we find customers want their carpets cleaned.
Many houses have light coloured carpets that are chosen to make the room appear bigger and brighter. But that also means they show the dirt just a little quicker than darker ones.
Track marks appear from the kitchen to the dining room and similarly they can come from the entrance hall to the lounge. It could be because the kitchen is tiled, and the carpet grabs the first dirty footsteps from the underside of shoes or even socks which leads to a build-up of dirt over time.
This can be due to wear and depositing dirt on the carpet and rubbing it in round the areas we sit. It's not about his and her seats but more about the wear in that area. The pile is compressed with extra “shuffle” marks. Remove the dirt and the pile then has a chance to recover.
These are usually sugar deposits from spills which dry into the carpet and attract dirt. The sugar content from drinks and food highlights the area of the spill. Remove the drink or food spill and the carpet colour is restored.
Dirt builds up in the carpet – it’s just a function of everyday living. Dirt comprises of many things from soiling through to pollens, dust mites and bacteria. They all act like sandpaper on the fibres and this in turn causes wear to the carpet pile.
The gradual build up can also create a musty smell. A professional clean can then reset the fibres and the carpet, so it’s clean and ready again for the household.
With a cost-of-living crisis affecting many households, it makes financial sense to clean your carpets rather than replace them. You will be surprised just how well they look after a professional clean, giving you peace of mind that all the stains, spills, and smells have been removed. The result is revitalised carpets ready for the next round of whatever gets thrown at them.
Carpets are a significant investment in any home, and proper maintenance is crucial to extending their lifespan. Over time, dirt and debris can accumulate within carpet fibres, causing them to deteriorate and wear out prematurely. Professional cleaning removes embedded dirt and stains, preserving the integrity of the carpet and ensuring it looks newer for longer.
Regular carpet cleaning is essential for maintaining a clean, healthy and visually appealing home. By investing in professional cleaning services, you can improve indoor air quality, prolong the lifespan of your carpets, eliminate allergens and bacteria, maintain their appearance and hygiene, and save money in the long run.
Don't wait until your carpets show visible signs of wear and tear. Book in a professional carpet clean and reap the rewards it offers for your home, family, and your bank balance. If you’re wondering where to start, search the NCCA directory to find professional carpet cleaners in your area. The National Carpet Cleaning Association ensures all members are insured and trained to our high standards, so you know you’re getting the best for your carpets.
However, if you're determined to keep up your new year’s cleaning, there are some techniques that can help you out.
It's tempting to put off cleaning tasks for as long as possible and handle them in one big clean. However, it's much more efficient to clean things as you use them. When you wash your hands, give the sink a clean. Or give the hob a wipe each time you use it.
While it might seem cheaper to tackle grime with your bare hands, it can take forever. What's more, there are some effective cleaning products that you might already have around the house. For example, bicarbonate of soda can loosen almost any carpet stain. Researching the best cleaning hacks can make maintaining your resolution much easier.
New year’s cleaning isn't the job of any one person in the household. If you're finding it hard to keep up, it might be time to delegate. Whether you live with a partner, kids or friends, everyone benefits from a clean environment. Asking them to help out will lighten the load.
Clutter can be one of the biggest barriers to effective cleaning. If there are things physically in your way, moving them can turn a five-minute cleaning task into a full-on excavation. Finding a home for everything you own not only makes it much easier to find it, but makes cleaning chores simpler.
Not everything needs cleaning every day, but some things can't be left too long. If you group tasks by how often they need doing, you can create checklists that make sure nothing gets forgotten. Guest rooms won't need as much attention as bathrooms and kitchens, for example.
Work out when it's easier for you to clean – and make an effort to use this time. Whether that's creating a bedtime routine, cleaning up during TV ad breaks, or getting up an hour earlier at the weekend, resolutions stick better when they're tailored to your routine.
There's nothing worse than repeatedly cleaning things you have no use for anymore. Save your energy by donating, selling or disposing of unwanted items. This will make room for the things you do want, and also make it easier to clean every nook and cranny of your home.
Start with a clean slate by treating yourself to an expert cleaner. New year’s cleaning and tidying can feel futile if your carpets don’t match the fresh appearance of your home. The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) has a directory of accredited carpet cleaners who can revitalise your carpets for the year ahead.
Every one of our cleaners is insured and highly trained, so you don’t have to spend your precious time on background checks. Search our directory to find carpet cleaners in your area.
You won't need to try all of these methods for nail varnish on carpet. Some suit specific carpets more than others, so you may want to skip straight to those.
Remember to carry out a patch test of any method you choose, to make sure you don't damage or discolour your carpet.
If you're able to catch nail varnish on carpet when it's fresh, it can sometimes be blotted away. A spoon may be able to scoop up excess liquid, before it can even soak into the carpet.
Use a knife to scrape away at a stain and loosen it. Cold water can also help with this, but make sure that your water is as cold as possible, because hot water will set the stain.
If you haven't already, wet the area with cold water. Then, spray 10-20 pumps of hairspray onto the area – you want to be quite generous. Adding a small amount of rubbing alcohol should then really loosen up the stain, and you should be able to remove nail varnish from carpet with a toothbrush. You can repeat this if it doesn't completely solve the problem the first time.
This will work better on fresh stains and lighter carpet, as you risk bleaching a darker carpet. Ensure that the polish remover you choose is non-acetone, and only use a small amount directly on the stain.
Apply a generous amount of white vinegar to the affected area. Soak a cloth in white vinegar, and leave that over the stain. After 10 minutes, blot away as much vinegar as possible and then lightly agitate the stain itself. This should help remove the nail polish stain from your carpet, but be warned that the smell may linger. If the smell bothers you, you can use a carpet deodoriser to cover it.
Pour enough baking soda to cover the stain, and then pour ginger ale over the top. Leave it to soften the stain for 10 minutes. You can then blot away the stain. A vacuum can be used to get rid of any excess baking soda after you remove nail polish from your carpet.
If any of these methods leave residue behind, you can remove it with dish soap and warm water. Simply pour on a mixture of the two, then blot the residue as much as possible.
If nail varnish on carpet is proving particularly stubborn or you're worried about damaging your carpet, a professional carpet cleaner can help. National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) have a directory of accredited carpet cleaners who are based all over the UK. Our strict guidelines for training, insurance and professionalism mean that every member business is top notch.
Search our directory to find a carpet cleaner near you and get nail polish out of your carpet.
Whether the culprit is a pet or a small child, urine on the carpet can feel like a disaster. That instantly recognisable stink clings to your carpet, but luckily there are ways to remove it. Read on as we discuss how to get a urine smell out of carpet.
As a liquid, urine can seep all the way into the fibres and padding of a carpet. It is usually odourless when it leaves the body, but processes within urine make it smell worse over time.
Dried urine crystallises, which then sticks to carpet and is very difficult to remove. These crystals smell when they're wet, so humid days and steam cleaning can make the smell return. Surface cleaning and vacuuming won't work, as they don't break down the crystals deep within the carpet. Shampoos may mask the odour, but won't remove the crystals. When the shampoo wears off, the smell will return.
Your best bet for protecting your carpet is to tackle the problem right away. If you're lucky enough to spot the accident as it happens, use something absorbent like paper towels to soak up the urine. Then, rinse the area with cold water. Hot water can make the problem worse by setting the stain, so make sure that you're using cold water.
To be on the safe side, you may also want to try one of the methods below to prevent the crystals from setting.
If you're still being haunted by the ghost of urine past, you'll want to try a more intensive method. Here a four ways to remove a urine smell from carpet.
First of all, you need to figure out exactly where the stain is. A handy fact is that urine glows under a UV light. If you're struggling to find the source of the smell, you could use a UV light to find it.
Whatever product you choose to use, you'll want to make sure it's compatible with your carpet. Carry out a test by placing a small amount of product on a hidden area. After 24 hours, check for any discolouration or damage before proceeding.
If you’re wondering how to get an old urine smell out of carpet, you can use enzyme-based carpet cleaner. This will break down the urine crystals and eradicate the smell. Just make sure that the packet states that it is enzyme-based. Each product will have its own instructions, so ensure that you follow them carefully.
Use a generous amount of white vinegar on the affected area and leave this to soak for 10-15 minutes. You can then soak this up as much as possible and cover the area with baking soda. Leave it to dry, and when it has completely dried, you can vacuum up all of the baking soda.
If you're struggling with how to remove a urine smell from carpets, your best option is to call in a professional. The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) has a directory of carpet cleaners who have all passed our high standards.
Start searching our directory to find carpet cleaners near you.
When you live in a house with carpets, accidents happen. No matter how savvy you are, we've all faced that one pesky stain that threatens to ruin the carpet forever. Having these eight carpet cleaning hacks under your belt will help you keep a cool head next time you have a carpet crisis.
Rubbing stains can just drive them further into the carpet fibres. Instead, press an absorbent cloth to the stain and dab it gently. This will allow the material to collect the stain instead of damaging the carpet.
No matter how careful you are, it just takes a drop of nail varnish to ruin a carpet. All is not lost, though. Loosen the stain with rubbing alcohol, and then you can blot it away.
When you rearrange a room, the impressions of the old furniture placement take away from your hard work. Completely cover the dents with ice cubes and leave them there to melt. Absorbing the moisture will help the carpet fibres swell back up. Blot away as much of the liquid as you can, and then use a coin to fluff the area back into shape.
Ice cubes provide multiple carpet cleaning hacks, as they are helpful for gum too. Place some ice cubes in a freezer bag and hold them against the gum. This will cause it to harden and lose its grip on your carpet fibres. You can then scrape it away with a spoon or credit card.
Shag carpets lose their long fluff very easily, particularly when vacuumed. By only vacuuming your shag carpet with the hose extension, you can clean it while still maintaining its fluffy texture.
If a candle drips onto your carpet, you can use an iron to rescue it. Lay baking paper or a paper towel over the stain and then iron over it on the lowest setting. Keep lifting the paper to check the stain, and after a few repetitions, it should melt the wax away from your carpet and onto the other material. remove wax with an iron, advocate the use of baking paper or a paper towel and iron over the candle wax with the iron on a low setting. Please be extremely careful if you do choose to use an iron and move it constantly to avoid damage, if the iron heats one spot for too long it, could risk the pile being melted.
If you don’t have an iron handy, you can use a hairdryer instead.
Being proactive is key to maintaining a pristine carpet. Consider using protective sprays or treatments on high-traffic areas and places prone to spills. These products can create a barrier that makes it easier to clean up spills before they become stubborn stains. Additionally, encourage family members or housemates to remove shoes before entering carpeted areas to minimise the risk of tracking in dirt and stains. Remember, a little prevention can go a long way in preserving the beauty of your carpets.
If you've got a stain that's proving too stubborn – even for our carpet cleaning hacks – a professional cleaner might be the answer. The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) makes it easy to find local carpet cleaners you can trust.
Every member has passed a strict selection process, including training and full insurance. Our seal of approval means you can trust a business with your carpet. Start searching our directory to get your carpets back to their best.