Red wine, coffee, pet accidents, muddy paws. Here's how to handle every common stain — fast.
The single most important rule: act fast. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. Here's our stain-by-stain guide.
Red wine
Blot immediately with a dry white cloth. Sprinkle liberally with table salt and leave for 10 minutes. The salt draws the wine up. Vacuum, then dab the area with cool water and a drop of washing-up liquid.
Coffee & tea
Blot, then mix one teaspoon of mild dish soap with one teaspoon of white vinegar in a cup of warm water. Apply with a clean cloth, blot dry.
Pet accidents
Soak up as much as possible with kitchen roll. Apply a 50/50 white vinegar and water mix to neutralise odour. Blot. Sprinkle baking soda over the area, leave to dry, then vacuum.
Mud & dirt
Let it dry completely first — wet mud is a nightmare. Once dry, vacuum thoroughly, then spot-clean any remaining mark with soapy water.
Grease & oil
Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda or cornstarch generously and let sit for 30 minutes to absorb the grease. Vacuum. Treat any residue with a small amount of washing-up liquid and water.
Chocolate, blood, vomit
Cold water only — heat sets these stains. Blot from the outside in. For persistent marks, mix one teaspoon mild laundry detergent into a cup of cold water and apply with a clean cloth.
When DIY isn't enough
For very old stains or large spills, professional rug cleaning is worth the cost. Don't use a steam cleaner on a synthetic rug without checking the label — heat can warp the backing.
