This carpet care advice is especially relevant to ensure the carpet will be suitable for future Carpet Dyeing. Some cleaning products can destroy the fibre and/or the colour sites, causing difficulties with the dyeing process.

The best plan of attack for 98% of spots or spills on your carpet, is to use only water. Now that's luke warm water (NOT HOT) and to get to it ASAP, the longer it's left, the higher the chance you'll never get it out, no matter what is used. A small amount of mild liquid detergent such as 'Sunlight' can be included in the water, at a ratio of quarter teaspoon to 250mls water, you're not looking for soapsuds, just enough to loosen any grease.>

Begin by carefully removing any excess using blotting towels such as kitchen 'Handy Towels' or if required carefully scrapping the excess off the carpet with a kitchen scrapper or similar, without moving the carpet fibre. A handheld wet and dry vacuum would also work.

Taking a spray bottle of the luke warm water (NOT HOT) spray just enough water onto the mark, ensuring that you don't spread the stain by using too much, wait 10 seconds, then using the kitchen towel or a bathroom towel, carefully soak up the water. If it's a big spill, do small sections at a time. DO NOT ever rub the carpet.

DO NOT saturate the carpet, if the backing becomes wet, it can create new stains in the carpet, and may also grow mould, so take your time, go slowly and don't over wet the carpet.

Repeat this process until the mark is no longer visible or at least 6 times, ensuring that the last time, you use enough pressure to soak up all the excess water.

Candlewax, crayon and gum are easier to remove after being frozen with ice. At which stage they can be gently scrapped off.

Animal urine is very acidic and can bleach the carpet fibre, quick attention is required to neutralize the mark to avoid damage to the carpet and the permanent urine odor. Contact a reputable carpet cleaner.

Large or stubborn stains may need professional carpet cleaning. Some stains permanently change the carpet's colour, and are untreatable. These include types of dye (e.g. hair dye), chlorine bleach, mustard with turmeric, acid or alkaline cleaners, plant fertilisers and suchlike. You may need to get the stained section replaced or you could consider carpet dyeing.

DO NOT

• Use any sort of whiten or bleaching agents i.e. no Napisan or Wonder Soap
  (it will damage the fibre)
• Rub the carpet (will damage the fibre)
• Leave the problem until later or the morning after (the stain will set)
• Use hotwater (the stain will set)
  

Carpet Colourists say ' When in doubt, let the professionals get it out!' It'll cost you much less in the long run.

Also see CARPET MAINTENANCE