You’ve probably stood there, cloth in hand, eyeing that spill on the lounge carpet and thinking:
“A bit of washing-up liquid should do the trick… right?”

Totally understandable. It feels like the quickest, simplest option. You already trust it on your worktops — why not the floor?

But here’s the thing most people don’t realise: kitchen cleaners aren’t designed for carpet fibres and using them can do more harm than good.

Let’s unpack why — and what to do instead.

1. They’re Not Made for Fabric (Let Alone Carpet)

Your average kitchen spray is built to cut through grease on hard surfaces — not to be soaked into woven fibres or absorbed into underlay.

What does that mean in real terms?

• It can leave a really sticky residue that attracts more dirt
• It may cause discolouration or bleaching, especially on wool blends
• And it often doesn’t fully rinse out, no matter how many towels you dab with

So that “clean” spot? It’s often the one that resoils fastest.

And once it does, it’s harder to treat professionally without first removing the detergent — which adds time, cost, and sometimes frustration.

2. You Could Be Locking the Stain In — Not Lifting It Out

Here’s a quiet truth: once you add heat or the wrong chemical to a stain, you may actually set it.

That glass of red wine?
That muddy patch from the dog?
Treat it with the wrong solution and you may make it permanent — or at least much harder for a professional to remove cleanly later.

We’ve seen clients in Southend, Billericay and beyond spend hours scrubbing — only to call us weeks later with fibres now hardened or discoloured.

No judgement. Just something to keep in mind.

It’s why we always recommend a gentle blotting approach first, then a quick call to a trusted local cleaner (even just for advice).

3. Supermarket Products Can React With Carpet Fibres

Many kitchen and multi-surface sprays contain solvents or oxidising agents. That’s fine on tiles. But on carpet?

• They can break down the backing glue
• They may fade or bleach the pile
• And they often leave odours trapped in the fibres

Some solutions even contain enzymes that continue reacting after application — creating long-term damage you can’t see straight away.

The American Cleaning Institute offers a useful breakdown on how cleaning products work — and why most are not designed for fabric-based surfaces like carpet (source).

4. You Could Invalidate Your Carpet’s Warranty

If you’ve had a carpet fitted in the last few years, check the small print.

Many come with warranties that state professional cleaning only — and using supermarket solutions can void that.

The logic is simple: manufacturers can’t predict how a homemade mix or generic spray will interact with the fibres, dyes, or backing adhesives.

We’ve worked with dozens of Essex clients who were surprised to learn their light-coloured carpets were actually covered — until they’d used something off the shelf.

That’s a headache no one needs.

5. There’s a Safer Way — Without the Guesswork

At Careclean, we’ve been helping Essex families clean and protect their carpets for over 40 years. We don’t just lift dirt — we remove the bacteria, odour, and hidden build-up that kitchen cleaners can’t touch.

And we do it with:

• WoolSafe-approved solutions
• Pet-safe and child-safe methods
• Proper extraction — so no residue’s left behind

If you’re unsure whether a stain needs attention or just some gentle blotting, you can always reach out and ask us first — no pressure, no obligation. We’d rather guide you to the right decision before damage sets in.

A Quick Summary: What To Do (and Not Do) When Something Spills

Do:

• Blot with a clean, dry towel
• Keep pets and children away from the area
• Call a professional for tailored advice

Don’t:

• Scrub, rub or soak the carpet
• Use washing-up liquid, multi-surface sprays, or vinegar
• Apply heat (like a hairdryer) to “dry it out quicker”

Even one wrong step can make things worse — and more expensive to fix.

You Deserve to Feel Confident in Your Home

This isn’t about scare tactics.
It’s about helping you make smart, safe choices for your space — without adding stress.

Because a clean carpet isn’t just about appearance. It’s about health, pride, and peace of mind.

And we’re here to help you protect that — whether you book a full clean or just want to talk through what happened.

If you aren’t in our catchment, you will find one near you on the NCCA website, where they hold a database of all accredited companies across the UK.