The DO's and DON'Ts of Spot Cleaning Your Area Rug In-Home

When it comes to area rug stains, we have seen it all! Coffee spills, blood, curry, red wine and pet urine to name a few. It is always best if you leave it alone or use paper towels only.

At-home spot cleaning by Homeowners or their hired cleaning crews can oftentimes cause permanent staining that we are unable to remove. This SPOT & SPILL GUIDE will help you with the knowledge to navigate through your next spill without causing damage.

If you find yourself in a jam and don’t know what to do?

  • Don't Panic !
  • Read this SPOT & SPILL GUIDE
  • Do your best to absorb the liquid with paper towels as mentioned
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DO'S

  • DO have Fiber Protector applied to your area rugs prior to use.
  • DO use paper towels to soak up liquid spills or pet urine. Place a bundle of paper towels on the affected area, step on them and dispose of them. Repeat as many times as needed until completely dry.
  • DO leave the residual stain alone (if a stain remains after using paper towels as stated above) and call us for your next move or text us photos. WE HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF STAIN REMOVAL IF THE AREA HAS NOT BEEN TAMPERED WITH.

    DONT'S

    • DON’T use over the counter spotters. Most store-bought spot cleaners are too harsh with high pH levels, many have bleaching agents and can cause permanent color loss. Depending upon your rug type, there may be a safe spot cleaning agent for your rug (contact us to learn more).
    • DON’T rub or scrub as this may cause permanent pile damage or fiber distortion that cannot be corrected.
    • DON’T allow your home cleaning crew to attempt a spot cleaning on your fine area rugs and furniture. They may make the situation worse and we may not be able to help. There is a big difference between DIRTY or DAMAGED.
    • DON’T trust the TAG on the bottom of your rug from the manufacturer OR on your furniture labels. Most of our area rugs are imported from other countries, and the fiber types listed on the tags are many times mislabeled. Furniture tags often list the fibers on the inside of the cushions, and not the outside upholstered areas. The only way for us to be sure of the fiber types is to inspect the rug/furniture item in-person for you. We may even need to do a “burn test” on each individual fiber.
    • DON’T attempt to spot clean your own VISCOSE rugs or carpet at home EVER. Rayon, Viscose, Bamboo Silk, Banana Silk, Faux Silk, Tencel, etc. is a very tricky fiber when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. Just plain water can cause yellowing or cellulosic browning. Please call us or text photos on how to handle the situation. If it is a liquid or pet stain, use paper towels repeatedly to soak up the liquid until it transfers as dry. Rayon/Viscose is one of the most absorbent fibers, so paper towels do work best, and FAST drying times are necessary. The pile can be distorted easily, so careful not to disturb the nap of the pile. Just call us…we are here to help!

    Get a free quote for your rug clean today

    No obligation. We'll visit in person, inspect your rug and provide a written quotation, with no hidden extras. Serving Berkshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Surrey, London, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire.

    We offer a Free collection and return and reinstall service to all our clients to ensure you have a clean rug and amazing service from us.

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    FAQs

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much does it cost to clean a rug?

    It depends on the type and size of the rug. Send us a message with the rug dimensions and a short description or a picture and we’ll give you a quote straight away.

    How long does it take to clean a rug?

    We usually allow 10-14 days for the rugs to be returned.

    How to clean a rug at home?

    We do not recommend DIY rug cleaning. If the colours are unstable they will run – usually the reds and the blues migrate into the light surrounding fibres. Rugs made from natural fibres also need to be dried very quickly. We use a centrifuge to extract the water and have a climate controlled drying room to dry all rugs within an optimal timeframe which cannot be done at home.

    My rug fringes and edges are frying . Can you repair them ?

    Yes, We can certainly fix them.

    Our Promise

    Visibly stunning results

    If you're not completely satisfied with the results, we'll re-clean your rug at no charge. Still not happy? We'll issue a full refund, no questions asked. That's our commitment to you and we've stood behind it for over 30 years.

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    What Our Clients Say

    Excellent
    5.0
    Amy S.
    1 month ago
    I was really worried that I would have to throw away my turkish carpet. I had saved up for a year to buy it, and had owned it for 30 odd years. My very elderly cat had decided to use it as a toilet. I didn’t think they could get the stains and smell out. But Darren and the team at Absolutely Fabulous worked a miracle. My rug is clean and no fading of colour. There is no smell. Amazing. Also they couldn’t have been more courteous and helpful throughout the whole process. I would highly recommend this company if you have a lovely carpet which needs cleaning.
    Response from the owner:It was lovely to see you again yesterday Amy. We were delighted that we were able to save your beautiful hand knotted Turkish wool rug. And we are pleased to read that you are happy with the results of our specialist rug cleaning, sanitising and deodorising. We really appreciate your five star rug cleaning review.
    lindsey R.
    1 month ago
    Wonderful service from Darren and team - my antique Persian rug looks beautiful now, all pet stains removed - great service all round , from initial enquiry to return of rug - efficient, professional service Am very happy to recommend this company
    Response from the owner:Thanks Lindsey, we really appreciate you entrusting us to clean your Antique Persian Kashan rug again. We absolutely love the vibrant colours.
    Lyn S.
    2 months ago
    I would 💯 recommend Darren & team. They were prompt and professional. They explained the process & were prompt in collecting and delivering. I am thrilled with how the rug looks and would definitely use their services again.
    Response from the owner:Thank you Lyn, it was lovely to see you and Ian again. We are delighted that you were pleased with the results of your rug cleaning, sanitising and deodorising.
    Broome F.
    3 months ago
    Thank you for making it so easy!
    Response from the owner:A lot of our clients tell us that our collection and return service makes the whole process so much easier. It was an absolute pleasure to clean your beautiful Persian Kashan rug, especially as it has such an unusual saffron gold field.
    Jim C.
    4 months ago
    Fantastic result with a 25 year old rug. Colours and pile back to a super condition!
    Response from the owner:Thank you for choosing us to clean and restore your beautiful Persian Nain rug after your flood.
    Sara B.
    5 months ago
    Good company, very professional. The rug looked transformed when it came back! Highly recommend recommended.
    Response from the owner:Thank you for your rug cleaning and repair review Sara. It was a pleasure to be of service to you and your Mother.
    Anthony C.
    6 months ago
    We are delighted by the work carried out by Darren. Super service and great results. Our rug looks as good as new.
    Response from the owner:Thanks Tony, your Persian Nain rug was an absolute joy to work on. To see the wool colours and the silk highlights really come alive after being cleaned is why we love cleaning these beautiful rugs.
    Miranda M.
    6 months ago
    Clear comms, managed expectations, great service, helpful identification of providence of antique rug. I would use again
    Response from the owner:Thanks Miranda, I'm glad the moth damage wasn't as bad as we'd anticipated. Your review will definitely help people who are searching for a professional antique rug cleaning service to make an informed decision.
    Lesley W.
    7 months ago
    My rug was really like new when it was returned! Very professional service I would definitely use again.
    Response from the owner:I’m glad we could help to restore your Bokhara rug Lesley. Thank you for your positive rug cleaning review.
    Mary Lois S.
    8 months ago
    This company is a GREAT find. I have a pale off white berber rug that became my neighbours dog's favourite loo; horribly stained and past help. I honestly thought it was finished until I found these guys who are nothing short of brilliant!! Caring helpful and a delight, the only trouble is I now want every rug in the house to have the same treatment!
    Response from the owner:Thank you Mary, can you give your neighbours dog a big hug from me, he gave us a few challenges, but he’s very good for business.
    Jason M.
    9 months ago
    Fantastic service. Darren made our 5 year old rug look like new. Highly recommend.
    Response from the owner:Thank you Jason, your 5 ⭐️ Rug Cleaning Review is very much appreciated.
    Morgana R.
    10 months ago
    Never seen my rugs come back so soft and shiny. Excellent service. Thank you.
    Response from the owner:Thank you for your Absolutely Fabulous, soft and shiny rug cleaning review. I’m sure they look great on those oak wood floors.
    Ashley D.
    11 months ago
    Thank you so much to Absolutly Fabulous for cleaning my wool rug and taking such great care. From pick up to drop off, this has been not only a great service but an EASY one! And everyone could use a bit more easy in live. In the end, the rug smells really lovely, it’s perfectly clean and we feel great living comfortably. The team picked up the rug from our home and dropped off, they left us some very helpful cleaning solution tailored to our needs and the entire experience was quick, simple, no muss, no fuss! Many thanks again to the team. We’re infinitely pleased.
    Photo from customer reviewPhoto from customer review
    Response from the owner:It was lovely to meet you Ashley. Thank you for your magical rug cleaning review. We look forward to being of service to you again in the future.
    Romina D.
    11 months ago
    Exemplary service and truly knowledgeable. I highly recommend them. Be it for a regular clean of carpets, kitchen tiled floors or even an emergency rug cleaning (due to canine piddles!) - I wouldn't go anywhere else.
    Response from the owner:Thank you Romina for your positive contemporary rug cleaning review. We look forward to being of service to you in the future.
    JOHN C.
    11 months ago
    I'm glad that I found Ab Fab , a local business. We were able to assess the job, agree a time frame and settle a price. Their service was spot on, my rugs we collected and returned looking like new, all as agreed. The price was very reasonable considering all the work and delivery involved. I would definitely recommend and use Ab Fab again.
    Response from the owner:Really nice to meet you John. Thank you for your 5 ⭐️ Rug Cleaning review. We look forward to being of service to you in the future.
    Paul L.
    1 year ago
    Excellent service, as usual!
    Response from the owner:Thank you Paul. It was a pleasure to supply and fit your anti-slip rug underlay for your Persian rug.
    Quentin C.
    1 year ago
    Darren made a number of trips to clean rugs and an armchair. They've done a really good job, ensuring they didn't damage delicate materials and colours, and the rugs look so much better now.
    Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive rug cleaning review.
    Ian H.
    1 year ago
    The whole team are exactly what their name says... Absolutely Fabulous! From the moment we first called them, they were nothing but professional, courteous and full of helpful advice. The service they delivered and care they showed was first class and excellent value for money. We would definitely recommend them to anyone needing a rug or carpet to be cleaned.
    Response from the owner:Thank you Ian. Your positive rug cleaning review is very much appreciated.
    Kim A.
    1 year ago
    "Absolutely fabulous" have cleaned my Persian rug beautifully, very polite, friendly & turn up when they say they will. Would definitely use Darren & Bailey's family run business again and highly recommend Absolutely Fabulous😎
    Response from the owner:Thank you Kim, for your positive Persian rug cleaning review.
    J B.
    1 year ago
    We have had several rugs cleaned and one repaired, a large area of carpet cleaned plus all areas with added protection system. Easy to book, prompt site evaluation and cost estimates actioned. Various dates offered to complete works required and everything sorted efficiently on time. Work all of the highest quality, not a problem. Further bookings now in progress. Overall everything excellent.
    Response from the owner:Thank you Clive, your positive rug cleaning review is very much appreciated.
    Boo L.
    2 years ago
    Darren did a great job with our two rugs. Even the iron burn on one seems to have faded! He was also very pleasant to do business with which is always a bonus! Christine and Huw
    Response from the owner:Thank you Christine, we really appreciate your 5 star rug cleaning review.
    Kristin C.
    2 years ago
    Did a wonderful job on my two oriental carpets which has not been “gently” used. They had heavy family use and looked great after they were cleaned. Very friendly and flexible and easy to work with on pickup and delivery. Highly recommend them.
    Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive rug cleaning review. It was a pleasure to clean your wool and silk Oriental rugs and we look forward to being of service to you again in the future.
    Katie A.
    2 years ago
    Super friendly, fast response and the results were great! Thanks Darren and team!
    Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive rug cleaning review Katie, very much appreciated.
    Harriet S.
    2 years ago
    Lovely people, great service and fantastic outcome. Even got rid of old dog wee stain
    Response from the owner:Thank you Harriet, we are delighted that you were happy with results of your viscose rug cleaning.
    Susan E.
    2 years ago
    I would recommend Absolutely Fab, great service and my rugs look brand new. Sue E
    Response from the owner:Thank you Sue for your positive rug cleaning review 😊
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