26 March 2019

Calamity Jane







Most of the carpets in the bungalow had to be replaced when we moved in; the bedroom flooring was badly stained with spilt drinks, or worse! But I was very happy with the luxurious, deep pile, cream carpet in the lounge. 

On Sunday Paul and Kat went to Manchester to watch cycle racing at the velodrome so I was home alone with Rick.  Early evening I prepared a supper tray with some cheese and biscuits and a large glass of red wine, I was going to settle down in front of the television and watch Escape to the Chateau.  I walked though the dining room and as I entered the lounge I knocked the edge of the tray on the door.  The glass somersaulted off the tray and I looked in disbelief at the large puddle of red wine spreading across my cream carpet.  It had even splashed up the newly painted walls.  I could not believe what I had done.

I spent hours trying to mop up the damage with very little success.  The wine had completely penetrated the deep pile.  I tried everything – Vanish, salt, vinegar, bicarbonate, washing up liquid.  Paul went over it with the Vax carpet cleaner yesterday morning but the stain remains.  I have one more trick to try – hydrogen peroxide.  If that doesn’t work there is only one solution – a new carpet.  Bah!



30 comments:

  1. Oh dear. I don't suppose a large rug would be the answer? We had to resort to buying one when the open fire spat out a cinder - over the top of the fireguard! - and burned a hole in the middle of our pale grey carpet.

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    1. It's in a rather awkward place but that is something I'm considering.

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  2. What a shame, but at least you'll have a nice new carpet that you choose.

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  3. Suggest that when you buy a new carpet match it to the colour of your wine !

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    1. I might start drinking gin and tonic.

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  4. The tricks in removing red wine stains are all in the first five minutes, or keep it wet to give you longer, so I cannot help now if it is dry. The peroxide should be mixed with washing up liquid. I would say that once it is dry and finished again put some talcum powder over it to cover it, brush it in, and get on with forgetting all about it.

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  5. That stinks! I'm so sorry. The worst part is that your cozy night in was ruined by trying to save the carpet, to no avail.

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    1. I was so looking forward to that cozy evening in front of the television!

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  6. Oh no, that's too bad! Maybe check with a professional cleaning service before you give up?

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    1. Going to try the hydrogen peroxide next.

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  7. Oh my...Do you have "Resolve" foam carpet cleaner in the UK? I'm in the US..I spilled a full glass of coca cola on my light beige carpet, sponged up what I could, then sprayed the Resolve Foam on it, then hand brushed it into the carpet with a small scrub brush...let it dry a couple of hours, vacuumed the area and it was clean and no stain...I don't know if this would work if the stain is already "set"....might be worth a try...I use it all the time for any carpet stains that might happen....https://www.zoro.com/resolve-foam-carpet-cleaner-aerosol-can-22-oz-19200-00706/i/G4181996/feature-product?gclid=CjwKCAjwm-fkBRBBEiwA966fZJNoj2wr_f74FBPw7jJ5gV770KovmOZpH9G9du0RFVRy-niVLR-WOBoC3JkQAvD_BwE

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    1. I tried Vanish carpet cleaner that didn't seem to do anything and then the bottle ran out! I suspect the stain is set now.

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  8. This is my eternal fear as I am often clumsy. Poor you - I do hope it doesn't have to be a new carpet. But I was so pleased it wasn't Rick what done it!

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    1. I could have forgiven him more easily.

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  9. Check your house insurance Susan. You could possibly claim for a new carpet. After all - it was an honest accident.

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    1. Our policy seems to cover everything apart from carpets.

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    2. Carpets should be included in your "Contents".

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  10. What a shame! I've heard soda water is good but the stain is probably set now. Perhaps you could fling some more red wine around and create a random pattern effect ??

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  11. White wine is supposed to take out red wine. We also have a product called 'Oxy' in Canada. Mixed with water & pour it on - stain disappears like magic!! Try the white wine first.

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    1. I think I might just drink the white wine and cry.

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  12. This is why most French 'downstairs' floors are tiled. Mop and Bucket.

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    1. Never spilt a single drop of wine when we had a tiled floor. Smashed a few glasses though!

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  13. We now have wooden floor boards after many spilt glasses of red wine over the years but we do have a rug in front of the fireplace. I remember it being expensive at the time but it has scotch guard. Many a glass of red wine has also been spilt on it and we have always got it out perfectly so the scotch guard turned out to be worth paying the extra for. You may wonder why we spill so much red wine. I blame my husband. He likes to sit on the rug in front of the fire with his wine glass on the floor! Yes, many times it has been knocked over as walking past it, it isn't noticed. It too has spoiled some cosy evenings in the rush to mop up! Makes me glad to know we are not alone although that doesn't help you much.

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    1. I can't even blame Paul this time! If we have to replace the carpet I shall certainly consider scotch guard.

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