Soap solution: Washing-up liquid was more effective at removing stains than some expensive carpet cleaners, experts found Washing-up liquid will clean carpet stains more effectively than specialist products costing more than eight times as much, researchers claim. found that costly sprays and preparations claiming remarkable cleaning powers are often not up to the task. By contrast, a 78p bottle of Morning Fresh produces a better result for most stains and will go much further. Soapy water made with the washing-up liquid was at least as effective as, and in many cases more so than, 13 out of a total of 17 specialist products tested by Which? The consumer group daubed pale carpet with black coffee, diluted Ribena, red wine, chocolate spread, curry sauce and blood. It allowed one set of stains to dry overnight and then created a second set of fresh marks to see how the various products performed. 'There's a huge array of carpet stain removers in the shops but ordinary washing-up liquid outperforms many of them,' Which?

'The washing-up liquid solution was as good or better on blood and fresh Ribena and did a terrific job on red wine. Only chocolate spread and dried-in coffee defeated it.' Soda water, often suggested as a useful alternative to specialist preparations, did not score well across the range of stains. said: 'It was good at removing blood and fresh Ribena, but it didn't match the specialist products on the other stains.' pool cleaner okcA spokesman for the group said the 500ml bottle of washing-up liquid scored four out of five for cleaning fresh stains and dry stains. best value lightweight vacuum cleanerBottom of the stain-cleaning league was one of the most expensive products in the test, Bissell Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner at £6.70 for 355ml. cheap pool pump and sand filter

It scored three on fresh stains and just two on dry. said: 'This is a "Don't Buy". As well as finding it difficult to apply, it wasn't good at removing stains, and we found it removed the colour from dark carpet when left.' said a host of cheaper specialist carpet and upholstery cleaners also did well. Top score went to Sainsbury's own Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner spray at just £2.43 for 500ml. Rug Doctor Spot & Stain Remover spray came in second at £2.99 for 500ml, with Tesco's own-label spray at £2.44 for 500ml in third. carpet cleaners for wool rugsFourth spot was taken by Bissell's OxyKIC at £7.82, an aerosol spray. carpet cleaner for stairssaid: 'Cheap spray options from Sainsbury's and Tesco outclassed the big brand names Vanish and 1001. best carpet cleaning pittsburgh

We found liquid and aerosol sprays easier to apply than other formats and results were better.' Bissell said its products were specially formulated to tackle tough stains and dry quickly without leaving any sticky residue. It said of its Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner: 'The fabric-safe brush works gently on expensive carpets. It gently loosens and removes tough stains and embedded dirt.' Regular maintenance of your carpet will help make deep cleaning it easier. Carpets need to be vacuumed once a week and more often in areas that are prone to dirt. This will prolong the life of your carpet and prevent a build-up of dirt. Whether you have coffee stains on a cream-coloured carpet, crayon marks from cheeky toddlers, or simply a build-up of everyday dust and dirt, all carpets need a little care and attention every now and then. What puts many homeowners off of carpet cleaning is the effort involved in moving furniture and waiting for the fibres to dry, but carpet care doesn’t have to be difficult.

If you’ve ever wanted to know how to clean carpets with ease, here are a few swift, simple ways to remove stubborn stains and lingering smells. Tried and Tested Carpet Cleaning Tips How to use powder as a carpet cleaner Using powder is a great way to clean your carpet. This is the best strategy for cleaning your carpet with powder, whether it's a powdered carpet cleaner or baking soda: Sprinkle the powder liberally over the carpet. Leave the powder for at least 30 minutes – but if you can leave it overnight, all the better – this gives the cleaner time to work, softening the stains and consuming the odours. Vacuum up the powder when you’re done. How to use carpet shampoo Carpet shampoo is another popular way to clean your carpets. There are many different brands of carpet shampoo, so make sure that you follow the guidance on the label. Make up the solution as directed on the packaging. In many cases, the product will need to be diluted with water.

Use just enough carpet shampoo to cover the area. Do not make the carpet too wet – not only is this a waste of detergent, but it’s also going to increase drying time. Scrub on the particularly stubborn areas using a hard-bristled brush. Let the carpet dry. Vacuum the shampoo once it has dried. The Best Carpet Cleaners for You: Powder or Shampoo? When it comes to cleaning carpets, plain old soap and water just isn’t going to cut it, especially if you’re dealing with persistent stains, deep-seated odours, or years worth of caked-on muck. Most people go for either carpet powder or carpet shampoo when cleaning the carpets in their home. For tackling stains and dirt, it’s worth looking for a dedicated carpet powder rather than a shampoo if you want to make it a quick job. Shampoos can take hours to dry, leaving the room off-limits until ready. Powdered products can be vacuumed up much quicker, and do just as good a job. Whatever carpet cleaning product you use, make sure to read the directions and follow any instructions.

Natural Carpet Cleaning Products If you’d rather use natural carpet cleaning products, there are some everyday kitchen cupboard staples that work wonders. Most people have heard about using soda water or tonic water to counteract coffee stains, but salt is also a good alternative for removing dirt or soaking up fresh stains. Also, baking soda absorbs those nasty smells hiding amongst the fibres. Remember, when using a new cleaning method or product, always test it on a small area first. Handy Carpet Stain Remover Tricks For isolated stains, it’s always best to get them up as soon as possible before they really dry into the carpet material. Remember, don’t be tempted to wipe any stains – blot them instead to prevent the stain from smudging or going deeper into the carpet. While you can spot clean using a detergent, it’s also worth trying these handy stain remover tricks, too, depending on the source of the stain: For sticky stains like gum, harden it using an ice cube before prying it off.