Stop making things worse by avoiding these classic DIY mistakes we see every week
(Seriously, step away from the dish soap bro! )
We get it. You spill a coffee or your dog has a little “oopsie” moment on the lounge carpet, and before you can blink, you’re deep in Google or TikTok, watching some stranger mix dish soap, vinegar, baking soda, and hot water like they’re making a potion.
Look, we love a good DIY as much as the next person. But when it comes to carpet cleaning? Some of the advice floating around online can actually do more harm than good — and we’ve seen the damage firsthand.
Let’s break down some of the most common DIY carpet cleaning myths and why you should avoid them like a muddy footprint on a freshly cleaned floor.
1. Dishwashing Liquid = Browning and Sticky Residue
One of the most popular online hacks is to use dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent to clean carpet stains. It seems logical — they’re designed to clean, right?
But here’s the thing: these products are made to foam, and foam is your carpet’s worst nightmare. Once it sinks into the fibres, it’s nearly impossible to rinse out completely without professional equipment. That leftover residue becomes a dirt magnet, attracting grime and dust every time someone walks over the area.
Even worse, as that soap dries deep in the carpet pile, it often causes browning, water marks, or even sticky patches that feel gross underfoot.
2. Overwetting the Carpet = Hidden Damage
Trying to rinse all that soap out with lots of water? That leads to another major issue: overwetting.
When too much water seeps into your carpet, it can soak right through to the underlay. This causes:
- Brown water stains that appear as the carpet dries unevenly
- Bad smells from moisture trapped underneath
- Mould growth – especially in humid spots or homes without good airflow
And once mould gets into the underlay? That’s a whole other level of headache.
3. Vinegar Isn’t the All-Purpose Wonder It Claims to Be
Vinegar has a great reputation in the DIY cleaning world, but it’s not the miracle solution people think it is — especially not for carpets.
It’s acidic, which can damage certain types of carpet fibres (particularly wool). It can also mess with the pH balance of your carpet, making some stains harder to remove and causing colour fading or dullness over time.
Plus, mixing vinegar with baking soda (another common online trick) causes a fizzy reaction that looks like it’s doing something, but usually just leaves behind a chalky mess.
4. Scrubbing = Spread and Set Stains
You spill something and grab a sponge or cloth and start scrubbing like mad. We’ve all done it.
But scrubbing does two things:
- Pushes the stain deeper into the fibres
- Spreads it wider, especially with liquids like red wine or cordial
Instead of removing the stain, you’re actually making it harder to treat — and increasing the chances you’ll need a professional to sort it out.
5. Store-Bought Carpet Sprays Can Set Stains Permanently
There are shelves full of carpet sprays at the supermarket, all claiming to remove everything from wine to blood to pet stains.
But here’s the catch: some of these sprays contain bleaching agents, optical brighteners, or strong chemicals that can react badly with your carpet type. We’ve seen cases where a small wine spill turns into a big white bleach mark — all because someone used a “quick fix” product.
Even when they don’t bleach, many of these sprays set the stain into the carpet fibres, making it nearly impossible to fully remove later.
So What Should You Do When You Spill Something?
Here’s a simple, safe action plan:
- Blot immediately with a clean, white cloth — don’t rub
- Use a small amount of cold water, just enough to dampen the area
- Avoid adding anything unless you’re 100% sure it’s safe for carpet
- Call a pro if it’s a tough stain or a large spill
Sometimes doing less is actually better. The worst thing you can do is panic and throw every cleaning product in your cupboard at the stain.
Final Word
The internet’s full of clever tricks, but when it comes to carpets, “quick fixes” often lead to long-term damage. Trust us — we’ve cleaned up a lot of well-intentioned DIY disasters.
If you’re unsure or just want to play it safe, give us a shout. At Klever Carpet Cleaning, we’ve got the tools (and the know-how) to get it sorted properly — no dish soap or dodgy hacks required.
👉 Book a clean with us today and give your carpet the care it actually deserves.