Stain Removal Tips

Don't let spills and stains become a permanent feature in your home, catch them quick:

• Don't let them dry: Stains must be kept damp, especially hot tea or coffee stains - once they set it'll be a lot more difficult to remove later.
• Blot that spot: Never rub a stain, or you'll make matters worse
• Don't add detergent: The wrong cleaning solution can actually make the damage worse.
• We always recommend Homeserve Fabric Upholstery and Carpet Care Kit which includes:
• Foaming shampoo 250 ml
• Spot stain remover 250 ml
• Dried in stain remover 75 ml
• Oil, ink and shoe polish spotting wipes
• Sponge
• Micro Fibre cleaning cloth

Call 0800 408 0004 to order your care kit.

• Always follow our care kit instructions

To clean fabric furniture, take at look at our Fabric Furniture or Upholstery tips.

Carpet stains

Carpet stains are probably the most common and most visible stains, so they're also the most annoying. Remember to:

• Blot up any surface liquid - removing as much spillage as possible
• Follow the care instructions of the chosen cleaning product
• Use the bottom of a large spoon to gently agitate the solution on and around the stained area from the outside in
• Use a cloth to blot up the stain remover

Stubborn stains

Don't try and deal with difficult stains yourself, that's a job for professional carpet and upholstery cleaners , but you can use these tips in the short term:

• Act fast - don't let the stain dry, soak in or spread too far
• Scrape up solids with a blunt edged spoon or palette knife
• Blot up liquids with a clean cloth or kitchen towel
• Always work from the outside in so the stain doesn't spread
• Wet a cloth with warm, clean water and place over the stain to keep it damp until you can get professional help
• Stop gloss paint spills from drying by covering the stain with cling film or polythene, you shouldn't add water
• Find your nearest Chem-Dry® carpet cleaner

Print out and keep this information handy, or bookmark this page in favourites so you can find it quickly when you need it.

Important Notice: Please Read

The purpose of this section of the website is to provide homeowners with only general guidance and useful tips on 18/08/06. It does not necessarily deal with every important topic or cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals.  It is not designed to provide professional advice and should not be relied on as such. 

You should always consult an appropriately qualified expert for specific advice before acting on any of the information contained in this section of the website.  You should never attempt to carry out any activity which may put you or others at risk or which may cause damage to your or anyone else's property.

Nothing on this website is intended to constitute a guarantee or form part of any agreement with Homeserve Plc or any of its group companies.  To the fullest extent permissible by law and except for any duty or liability to customers under the Financial Services Authority's regulatory system Homeserve Plc (a) disclaims all implied terms, conditions, representations and warranties with respect to the information contained in this section of the website and (b) excludes all liability or responsibility for such information or the use made of it insofar as it is reasonable for us to do so. 

Homeserve Plc has no responsibility for, or control over, the contents of any information appearing on any third party website (including the websites referred to on this website) and any reliance placed on such information is entirely at the users' own risk.