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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Choosing carpet based on spider visibility

51 replies

mumtomaxwell · 04/08/2018 17:33

I have always chosen pale carpets because it’s easier to see spiders (I’m very scared of spiders!)

We have cream carpet in our lounge and with 3 DCs and 2 cats it now looks minging. I’d like a new carpet, DH thinks we need a darker more forgiving colour but I’m scared that I won’t see the spiders easily and I’ll comstantly be checking for the sneaky little bastards to jump out and get me.

What colours are forgiving but still have good visibility?

OP posts:

Cornettoninja · 04/08/2018 17:36

Pale laminate or paint the floorboards white?

pennycarbonara · 04/08/2018 17:38

Would it not be easier in the long run to get a carpet that withstands more dirt, and some therapy to decrease the phobia? (You can take the edge off it without having to go as far as handling spiders.)

Would some sort of light to mid grey be any better?

Is the current one still no good even with regular shampooing?

Skimbleskanks · 04/08/2018 17:52

I saw two cream coloured spiders yesterday so you might want to rethink your colour scheme

ALongHardWinter · 04/08/2018 17:54

You have my sympathies OP. I don't have any useful advice,but I know what you mean about 'spider visibility' on a dark coloured floor. I have dark brown tiles on my hall floor,and I can't see the little bastards hiding until I've practically trodden on them. (not envy). I'm dreading 'spider season' next month.

Original poster

mumtomaxwell · 04/08/2018 17:59

Cream coloured spiders?????
That is a whole new level of evil!!

OP posts:

Original poster

mumtomaxwell · 04/08/2018 18:24

penny the current carpet has worn pretty badly. I’ve never tried getting it properly cleaned but I’m worried it might not cope with that!!

OP posts:

pennycarbonara · 04/08/2018 18:36

I’ve never tried getting it properly cleaned blush but I’m worried it might not cope with that!!

I've never had a cream carpet, so someone who has might be able to comment on how shampooing affects them. But I'd assumed that if you were very houseproud and had a cream carpet with pets and small children you'd be washing it at least once a month, if not more often, as the home cleaning machines or 2 in 1 vacuums are not all expensive.

It would seem a waste to get rid of it without seeing what difference washing makes to it, especially as the light colour is of particular use to you otherwise.

mimibunz · 04/08/2018 19:01

This made me lol! Before I met Mr Bunz he re-tiled his bathroom and put down a floor tile that was black with grey swirls. I realised early on that spiders disappear on the floor. Eight years on and we are having the bathroom re-done with spider detection tiles, aka cream floors.

bluebeck · 04/08/2018 19:02

I had an enormous fucker in my lounge today (cream carpet)

Really am dreading Spider Shag Season

Ohyesiam · 04/08/2018 19:07

I’ve got a porridge coloured one with flecks. It’s great for masking dirt. And those nasty fuckers show up well.
You have my sympathy op.

3luckystars · 04/08/2018 19:11

Anything that shows spiders will show dirt.

I was absolutely terrified of them but am much better now, my son loves them and he had a spider book and it helped me a bit.

3luckystars · 04/08/2018 19:13

Although a huge one ran at me last week and I nearly went my knickers I screamed so much. I was jogging on the spot. He was huge!

MayFayner · 04/08/2018 19:13

@Skimbleskanks

Original poster

mumtomaxwell · 04/08/2018 19:35

Are those machines you hire from B&Q any good?

I’m not especially houseproud and have always had light carpets... just this is the lightest so far and our family has grown!

We have dark wood floor in the hallway... I’ve been waiting years (since we first bought the house) to get rid of it. If washing the cream carpet works well we could spend the money changing the hallway floor instead which would make the autumn much easier to cope with!

OP posts:

PumpkinPie2016 · 04/08/2018 19:59

Can you have the carpet professionally cleaned? I don't think it's overly expensive to do and that way you could keep it and spot the spiders easily!

Once you've had it cleaned once you could probably keep on top of it with a home carpet cleaner.

I'd always go for flooring that enables easy spotting of spiders! Like you, I am beyond petrified of them -tried all sorts to reduce my gear but nothing has worked

sayanythingelse · 04/08/2018 20:01

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this way! We've just had a black/grey flecked carpet put down in our bedroom after much debating. DH thought I was insane when I said that my reasons against it were spiders . Surprisingly it's got pretty good spider visibility, so I'd say don't be put off by darker plain colours.

The worst one we had was in our old flat which was a mixed brown loop carpet. Could never see them on that.

LogicMakesSense · 04/08/2018 20:20

If you are going are to end up getting a new carpet anyway it's worth trying to have it professionally done first.

The hire ones are ok but it's not that much more expensive now days to just pay for someone else to do it. Then at least they know all the tricks and would probably get it cleaner than you would doing it yourself.

If after that it's still looking a bit shit then look for a creamy with a speckly pattern, that way marks can blend in a bit easier for next time!

AnnieOH1 · 04/08/2018 20:22

If you're that scared of spiders (as much as mumsnet might hate me for suggesting it) get yourself some spider poison. The red raid in an aerosol can will kill on contact, and also works for up to 4 weeks if you spray along nooks, crevices, windows, doors etc. Once dry it's child and pet safe (unless your pet is a spider of course).

Notevilstepmother · 04/08/2018 20:27

I think you should see if you can get help for your phobia if it’s that bad you choose carpets around it.

Spiders are a good thing to have in the home. Spiders feed on common indoor pests, such as Roaches, Earwigs, Mosquitoes, Flies and Clothes Moths. If left alone, Spiders will consume most of the insects in your home, providing effective home pest control. Spiders feast on many household pests that can transmit disease to humans –Mosquitoes, Fleas, Flies, Cockroaches and a host of other disease-carrying critters.

foxtiger · 04/08/2018 23:05

I'm not scared of spiders so maybe I don't really get it, but if you're scared of them wouldn't you rather not see them?

BreconBeBuggered · 04/08/2018 23:23

You daft sods. I don't mind spiders at all, but since you ask, I acquired a russety-coloured carpet when I bought this house. Not only does it let you see spiders, but it's very forgiving about dirt and stains. I've cleaned up red wine without leaving a trace. Hell, I even got paint out of it when DH was decorating. Eventually.

Gretagumbo · 04/08/2018 23:46

I always give the spiders old lady names - seriously it has helped my previous arachnophobia.

I have now got to the stage where I can deal with Enid, Maud or Betty with a glass and card.

SilageMarner · 04/08/2018 23:48

I hear you. I hate them. Just now I turned round from the bed to find the biggest bastard hanging off the fireplace.

I’m seriously thinking of making us move. It’s not even the worst month for them yet 😭

SilageMarner · 04/08/2018 23:50

Although - can’t you get your cats to catch them? I haven’t had a cat for many years, but she was great at nabbing the buggers!

User467 · 04/08/2018 23:54

But if you get a dark carpet you won't be able to see them.......is that not better? And I'd have a word with your 2 cats......they're clearly not doing their job well enough!

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