Whether it's a small spill or a full-on flood, water can soak your carpet in an instant. You might be thinking “it's only water”, but an excessively wet carpet can lead to mould and discolouration. The floor underneath your carpet can also be warped and damaged by water. To prevent this, you need to act fast!
Remove any furniture from the damp area, as this will prevent it from drying and potentially lead to further damage. If the weather is warm, opening your windows and doors will help to evaporate the water quicker. You should also use a fan to help circulate air, but make sure that no electrical cords touch any water. If it's a cold day, turn your heating on, as water evaporates slower in a cold environment.
Wet rugs should be removed as soon as possible and taken to a dry, ventilated area. If your carpet can be lifted, it's helpful to pull it up and take it outside to air. However, this is not always possible, and if it's raining outside, will only make your problem worse.
You should use towels to soak up as much excess water as possible. Apply a small amount of pressure to increase their effectiveness. A good way to apply this pressure is by walking over the towels. Keep in mind that a wet towel can't dry, so make sure that you change towels regularly.
A wet vacuum is designed to remove water from the floor. Don't use a regular vacuum, as this could damage it. If you don't have a wet vacuum, you may be able to hire one, but it may be difficult to get hold of one at short notice.
A dehumidifier is great for lowering the humidity of a room. This helps the water to evaporate quicker and prevents it from lingering in the room and causing mould. As with any electrical appliance, make sure that the dehumidifier and all of its cables are kept away from the water.
Not only will walking around on damp carpet lead to wet socks, but it can bring in dirt. A wet carpet is much more vulnerable to damage, so make sure to walk on it as little as possible. Use light steps and don't wear dirty shoes.
If the flooded area in your property is not completely dried, then there is a possibility of mould growth. Having difficulty removing water? It’s recommended that a professional cleaning company is called.
A professional carpet cleaner can help to remove residual moisture and prevent damage going forward. By using a National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) cleaner, you are choosing an accredited, insured cleaner with experience and specialist training.
Finding a cleaner in your area is easy – all you need is your postcode. Search our directory of carpet cleaners to get started.
Anything underfoot is likely to get dirty, and rugs are no different. If it’s time to give your rug a deep clean, always start by consulting care labels for advice on the best cleaning method. If you have antique rugs or your rug is very delicate and/or valuable, it’s always best to speak to a professional. If you would like to clean your rug yourself, please check out the advice below.
When washing a wool rug, you need to be careful not to saturate it, as it will take a long time to dry and it could shrink. Fill a bucket with cold water and add one cap of laundry detergent. Don't apply this directly to the rug – instead, dip a microfibre cloth into the bucket. Wring it out to remove excess water, then use it to blot the mixture onto the rug. Be gentle and focus mostly on areas which are soiled or stained.
Once you have worked on the whole rug, fill your bucket with just cold water and repeat the process with a fresh cloth. You will then need to hang it somewhere ventilated to let it dry. Don't place it back on the floor until it dries, as this could delay the drying process significantly.
Sheepskin rugs must also be washed in cold water, or they may shrink. Make sure that any detergent you use is suitable for sheepskin. Fill a bath with cold water, then pour some detergent in. You can then put the rug into the bath, moving it around to dislodge dirt.
Drying a sheepskin rug can take a while, but must be done this way to ensure that it keeps its shape and texture. First, squeeze out the water and then blot the rug dry with towels.
Find a place for your rug to dry that isn't too warm, avoiding direct sunlight. Lay it out on a towel, gently pulling it into the right shape. Every so often, use a sheepskin brush to fluff the wool.
While these types of rug feel very different, they have a similar response to water. This means that they require dry methods of cleaning. You can buy dry shampoo or dry cleaning powder, but make sure that it's suitable for the material of your rug. It's also a good idea to patch-test it to ensure that your rug won't get discoloured.
Spread the powder over your rug, brushing it in, then leave it for the amount of time specified on the packet. If the pile length of your rug is too long for vacuuming, you can shake out the powder. Other rugs can be vacuumed, instead.
Many professional carpet cleaners are experts in rug cleaning and will know how to identify and clean your rugs. The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) has a directory of cleaners all over the UK, which you can search easily online. Every cleaner follows our code of conduct and is insured and trained to ensure a smooth experience.
Find local rug cleaners today!
A new carpet is an exciting way to refresh your home. However, sometimes a new carpet can bring with it an unpleasant smell. If you're wondering why your new carpet smells of fish, read on.
When a new carpet is installed, the smell comes from the evaporation of substances inside of it, known as VOCs – volatile organic compounds. They evaporate at room temperature, which is why you can smell them so strongly. This is commonly known as off-gassing.
You can reduce the impact of off-gassing by ventilating your home during and after carpet installation, allowing VOCs to escape easily – and minimising that lingering smell. However, if it's already too late, there are a few ways that you can help to shift the smell.
If you’re asking “why does my new carpet smell of fish”, the smell is likely to disappear as your carpet settles and the VOCs dilute. If this isn't happening fast enough, you can try one of the following methods.
The most important step is to help the VOCs escape by opening windows and doors. You can also use fans to really get the air moving.
By vacuuming your new carpet, you can collect some of the evaporating gas and combat the smell. Vacuuming straight away can also help to clean up any debris left by decorators.
Houseplants are excellent at purifying air. They absorb indoor air, including any chemicals in it, and produce oxygen. By placing them throughout the room, you can speed up the dissipation of the smell. The best choices are leafy plants such as aloe vera, peace lilies and spider plants.
Apples, onions and celery absorb odours very well when they are cut open. If you cut some of them in half and leave them in a bowl in affected rooms, they can help decrease the smell. Make sure you don't leave them there for too long, though, or they will start to rot and produce an odour of their own!
Many carpet cleaning products contain VOCs. If you use them to try and combat the smell, they likely won't help, and may even make it worse.
Still asking “why does my new carpet smell of fish?”. A professional cleaner can figure it out and help to combat the smell. National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) carpet cleaners are located all over the UK and follow our strict code of conduct. Every single one is accredited and insured to ensure a smooth experience.
To find a carpet cleaner in your area, search our directory
There's nothing better than a relaxing coffee in the living room – until that coffee ends up on the carpet! Spilling coffee can feel like you've ruined your carpet, but luckily, there are many ways to fix the problem. Read on as we discuss how to remove coffee stains from carpet.
As with most liquid spillages, you should deal with a coffee spill as quickly as possible. This is because coffee is very good at dying fabric, so it is likely to stain, especially if you have light carpets.
The first thing you need to do is blot the area with a cloth or towel, to collect as much liquid as possible. You should also dilute the spilled coffee with cold water, then continue blotting it. You'll know that you've got as much out as you can when blotting doesn't change the colour of your cloth any more.
Once coffee has set in, it's more difficult to remove it from your carpet. However, it's not impossible.
First, loosen the stain with warm water. You then need to blot it with a wet cloth. Make sure that you blot using inward motions, to avoid spreading the stain.
You can then mix two cups of water, one cup of white vinegar and one tablespoon of dish soap to create a stain remover. Use a sponge to apply this mixture to the area, then blot it dry. You can repeat this as many times as you need to.
In truth, DIY methods of removing coffee stains from carpets generally have limited results. Coffee is a really tricky stain to deal with on carpets, so you’ll need the very best methods, equipment and cleaning solutions to get rid of it.
If you’re wondering how to remove coffee stains from carpet, the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) can help. We have a directory of professional carpet cleaners with the expertise and experience to get coffee out of your carpet. Every NCCA-accredited cleaner is insured, experienced and follows our code of conduct.
Search our directory for trusted local carpet cleaners.
If the colour of your carpet doesn't look right, there are a number of things that could be causing it. While it's sometimes not obvious, figuring out the source of your carpet discolouration can help you to solve it. The list below will help you learn why your carpet is discoloured.
The most common cause of a discoloured carpet is dirt, grime and dust. It can build up over time and completely change the appearance of your carpet. Luckily, you can prevent this by regularly vacuuming and cleaning your carpet.
From coffee to nail polish, all sorts of things can stain your carpet. Spillages happen all too easily and aren't always discovered quickly. This can cause your carpet to change colour – and can be difficult to reverse without damaging your carpet further.
It’s best get in a professional cleaner to remove these stains, because you can easily spread a small stain into a much larger one. Nail polish removal will almost certainly damage the carpet and may even affect the glue, so tufts will start to dislodge from the backing
While natural light is a welcome lift to the environment of any home, it's not good for your carpet. Over time, sunlight can cause the dyes in your carpet to fade. If you move furniture and the carpet appears a different colour, this might be because it has been protected from direct sunlight, and the rest of the carpet has faded. If this bothers you, you can close blinds and curtains during the day to protect your carpet from UV rays.
As your carpet ages, the colour will fade. This is especially true of carpets in high-traffic areas. Not only can this cause the dye to fade, but it can compress the fibres of your carpet together and make the colour look different.
When your carpet gets wet, it doesn't dry easily. If moisture seems into the deep fibres of your carpet, it stays there. It rises when it gets warm, making the top layer change colour. This can also lead to mould, which causes even more discolouration. You can prevent this by soaking up as much liquid from spillages as you can, and only letting professionals deep clean your carpet.
Pets can bring all sorts of dirt in on their paws, but they also produce their own messes. Animal droppings may contain ammonia – the alkaline nature of which can lead to discoloured carpet. If you're unlucky enough to have an infestation, this is also likely to cause a mess on your carpet.
Using the wrong substances to clean your carpet, or using the right substances in the wrong way, can cause damage to your carpet. Be careful when cleaning your carpet, and never use strong chemicals like bleach. If you're unsure whether you're making the best choices for your carpet, your best bet is to hire an expert.
For a clean carpet without discolouration, get your carpet professionally cleaned. Every National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) cleaner is insured and accredited to cleanse your carpet with the best results. Our database of carpet cleaners is easily searchable to find carpet cleaners in your area. Search our carpet cleaner directory to solve your discoloured carpet woes.
As any business owner knows, running a business is about more than the services you provide. Marketing your company is an important step to keep customers (and revenue) coming in. If you're unsure how to market your carpet cleaning business, here are six marketing ideas for cleaning businesses to get you started.
Carpet cleaning videos can be very satisfying to watch, especially when the carpet starts out particularly dirty and ends up pristine. Not only is this entertaining content, but it shows off your talents to anyone who watches.
You can share videos across social media and even on your website. However, make sure that you get permission from the homeowner, as not everyone is happy for their home to be shared publicly!
Flyers are a popular way to advertise – with good reason too. Even if people don’t keep your leaflet, receiving it through their door brings your business to their attention. Next time they need a carpet cleaned, they'll know that you're there. You can also make the most of community notice boards, as these are a good place to make local connections.
Top tip – Putting out leaflets when you are cleaning on a particular street is a great way to advertise your business.
An effective way to encourage customer referrals is to reward them. By giving customers discount codes on their invoices, you make sure that they keep you in mind for their friends. People are much more likely to recommend your business if they can also offer money off and get themselves a discount. If anyone is putting off getting their carpet cleaned, a code from a friend might be the gentle push they need to get in touch.
Sometimes, marketing ideas for a cleaning business are just about reeling customers in with a good deal. If you want customers to keep coming back, you can offer them deals for regular cleaning upkeep. Whether it’s selling packages of multiple cleaning visits or incentivising smaller windows between visits, customers love a good deal. This also encourages customer loyalty, which is important for business longevity.
It's not easy to drive traffic towards your social media accounts, but giveaways encourage people to follow you. While offering a specific package or voucher for free may feel counterintuitive, people love to be in with the chance of winning free things. Asking people to like, share and follow your account in exchange for entry into a giveaway can see your following skyrocket.
Another easier idea is to give a stain removal bottle away to good customers. Put a price on the bottle, so customers can see the value of the giveaway.
It's not an easy market for small businesses to navigate, and many business owners value community. Reaching out to local businesses and finding ways to advertise as a collective can be beneficial to all of you, as well as the local economy. For example, decorators are often called in around the same time as carpet cleaners, so recommending each other's services may lead to more bookings for both of you. You could also pop into carpet retailers and swap business cards.
Members of the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) are all listed on our searchable directory, helping customers to find you easily. Membership also grants you access to discounted training courses, including marketing ideas for your cleaning business. Other benefits of joining us include our arbitration service, online forums and seal of approval.
Become a member of the NCCA to start growing your carpet cleaning business.