Help! It’s the morning after the party!

4 February 2025

The morning after the night before; the guests have gone, and the full aftermath of last night’s party comes into focus: the carpet criss-crossed with spilled drinks and mystery stains, and the couch is sporting new marks too. While a quiet morning might be what you feel like, it’s important to tackle stains as soon as you can.


The golden rules of removing stains from upholstery and carpets:


  • Don’t panic.


  • Don’t rub the stain, as you risk spreading it deeper and wider than it already is, and you may cause permanent damage.


  • Blot the stain gently with a clean, absorbent cloth to soak up as much liquid as possible.


  • If the stain has dried, use a small amount of cold water and a drop or two of a mild cleaning solution appropriate for your carpet or upholstery type.


  • Work from the outside of the stain towards the centre to prevent it from spreading.


  • Avoid excessive moisture, as soaking carpets or upholstery can lead to browning, mould, mildew and water damage.


Why DIY cleaning methods can disappoint

While it might be tempting to tackle post-party mess yourself, cleaning carpets can be risky if done improperly. Finding out whether the stain is acid or alkaline and matching the solution accordingly is Stain Treatment 101 but not easy to do the morning after the party! Getting it wrong can instantly change the nature and removability of your stain.


It’s easy to be too aggressive which damages the fibres and adds a noticeably fuzzy look to the stain. Even if the stain removes, the fuzziness won’t.


It’s also human nature to be overly-generous with the products or the quantity of water when trying to remove stains (you just want it gone!). But excessive moisture can lead to shrinkage and discoloration, while also providing a breeding ground for mould which, if left, can smell bad and potentially lead to serious health risks.


Store-bought or home-made solutions often leave behind a sticky residue that will trap debris and prevent your vacuum from effectively removing dry soils; within a few weeks that area will begin to look brown, grey or black.


Professional carpet cleaners are trained to identify different textile types and adjust their cleaning techniques accordingly. Using industry-grade equipment and eco-friendly solutions that are tough on stains but gentle on your home, carpet cleaning experts deliver the best possible results – first time. Plus, the carpets are dried quickly, so there is no risk of shrinkage, mould or any great inconvenience to your day. 


A glass of red wine spilled on a carpet.

Advanced Carpet Cleaning’s professional carpet cleaning services in Christchurch can bring your home back to its former glory. Whether it’s red wine on the rug, greasy food stains on the sofa, or footprints tracking dirt across your carpets, Advanced Carpet Cleaning need to be on your speed dial. Don’t worry, we’ve been cleaning Christchurch carpets since 1994, and there’s not much we haven’t seen!


The biggest post-party carpet and upholstery disasters (and how to fix them)


Red wine stains on carpets and upholstery

The infamous red wine stains are every host’s worst nightmare. If you spot one in the morning, resist the urge to scrub it with water—this sets the stain deeper into the fibres and you risk spreading the slightly diluted pink liquid to the surrounding unaffected carpet or upholstery. Your best course of action is to call a professional carpet cleaner in Christchurch. A professional will happily give advice over the phone if the spill has just happened. If it’s a dried spill, ask a technician to visit so you stand the best chance of removing the stain without further damaging your carpets or upholstery.


Food stains: grease, sauce, and chocolate

From dips and sauces to melted chocolate, food stains can wreak havoc on carpets and soft furnishings. There are remedies you can buy to remove these stains from textiles; however, always test them on an inconspicuous area of the carpet or fabric (and leave to dry, before continuing with stains in obvious places) to ensure they are suitable for your carpet or fabric type.


Steam cleaning is the safest and best solution for tackling stubborn stains.


A plate of spaghetti and meatballs on a carpet with a fork.

Sticky spills: cocktails, beer, and soft drinks

Whatever tipple you and your guests enjoyed, their high sugar content leaves sticky patches on carpets and furniture, attracting dust and dirt. Within just a fortnight or so, the patches will start to discolour.


Coloured drinks pose a different problem. Food dyes can be very problematic – particularly on wool carpet, and on ‘natural fibre’ fabrics. The experienced team at Advanced Carpet Cleaning give honest appraisals on what you can expect from treating coloured stains and bring leave no stone unturned in their effort to get a good result for you.


Muddy footprints and dirty tracks

If your party was on the lively side, there may be track marks from guests coming in and out, tracking dirt onto your carpets. Vacuuming removes surface debris, but it won’t eliminate dirt that has been trampled in by a steady flow of guests – toing and froing from the BBQ – over the course of a night. A thorough, professional carpet steam clean rejuvenates the carpet, lifting dirt and restoring it to its pre-party glory!


The mysterious odours

Even if stains aren’t obvious, post-party odours can linger. Spilled drinks, food and cooking smells, cigarette smoke, and even perfumes and body odours from guests indoors can cause residual smells to linger long after the wheelie bin has been filled up. Advanced Carpet Cleaning’s Christchurch services specialise in deep-cleaning fabrics, ensuring your couch, chairs, and rugs smell fresh and inviting once again.


How to protect your carpets and upholstery when you have a party

After a night of fun, you don’t want to be stressed about the aftermath.


  • Use rugs or runners in high-traffic areas to minimise wear and tear on carpets.


  • Encourage guests to remove shoes before entering carpeted areas. A sign at the door and a small pile of shoes already left there will get the ball rolling.


  • Set up designated drink and food areas to limit spills on soft furnishings.


  • Remove ‘good’ furniture and hire some seating.


  • Place coasters and placemats on wooden furniture to prevent damage.


  • Have paper towels readily available for people to wipe their hands clean and for a quick spill response (plain white paper towels are best for spills).


  • Use furniture covers or throws on sofas and chairs to protect against spills and stains.


  • Ensure proper ventilation – open those windows as soon as possible.


 

Advanced Carpet Cleaning provide professional carpet cleaning services in and around Christchurch and are on hand to take care of the mess and restore your home without the hassle. Call 0800 566 576 or 027 2233 299 to book your appointment and let the professionals do the hard work for you so you can savour the memory of hosting your friends and start planning your next party! 

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