Destroyed carpet

[MoonlightMistletoe]

Not sure this is the right place for this but I need help!

I am looking for recommendations for a VAX cleaner or anything of the sort that is able to clean the worse stain imaginable, I am panicking.

I was going to rent a rug dr however that's not an option due to the pandemic and I would be looking to purchase off of littlewoods.

Please can you help me

Milk was always the advice given for getting out the old fashioned quick-type ink (from the days when biros were rarely used and cartridge pens were also rare) it works really well on things you can wash.
It gets stains out of other things but then you are left with the milk. Its much harder to get all the milk out and although the stain isn’t as bad as the ink, the smell is worse and develops over time.
Stick with that bleach op. If any stubborn patches are left, glycerin will loosen it so that a vanish bar or another go with the bleach can then get it out.

What is the carpet made of? If wool, do NOT do this. If its polypropylene try a denture tablet dissolved in warm water and spot test first. Dry it by putting a towel over the stain and walking on it.

If its beyond saving I think I'd try and negotiate redecorating/new carpet with the landlord once lockdown lifts, and if you're planning on staying there over say 6mths. Wear/tear, decorating is up to them to maintain anyway, so if you suggested contributing xx amount, they may be happy with that vs trying to get you to replace it yourself. If money is tight you could even offer x pmth on top of the rent for the next 6mth of your tenancy.

Update, woke up to a much paler blue carpet this morning, not as bad as I imagined it could be however still needs some more work.

I will give the washing up liquid a try as there will still be bleach product on the carpet so hopefully I can blot more up today. I think the majority of the ink has sunk right into the underlay so whenever it gets wet the ink surfaces upon drying, so It needs to be sucked up with pressure and a VAX will be the way to go with this one.

@Erictheavocado that looks like a good bundle! I love steam cleaners. I'm going to have to purchase from littlewoods as I can't afford the one hit payment at the moment.

OP I'm an inventory clerk. When working I do check out reports every day.

The posters who have said that, given the age of the carpet, you would not lose much of your deposits are correct.

No, the landlord cannot claim for a new carpet, ever. Unless it was brand new and you destroyed it all the day you moved in.

In rentals carpets are expected to have about 7 - 10 years of life, though that always depends on quality of the carpet and fitting. Less than you'd expect if it was your own home, your own carpet. So yes, £100 deduction would seem reasonable, if you can't make it look good.

Good look with it.

Don't use bleach!!! I tried that on a cream carpet and it turned it orange 😦

@CuriousaboutSamphire Thank you so much for the reassurance I really appreciate it.

It's looking better, no way near perfect but I have hope.

The bleach hasn't discoloured it thankfully, it has worked really well however I need to re do it especially in the areas the ink was more saturated.

I have splatter on cream curtains from when I tried to suction mode it and it failed miserably, would I be able to put them on a low temp say 40 degree , slow spin wash in the machine? They are cream and cotton. Perhaps if I get some vanish first to put on the areas it would help?

interestingly mydeposits say carpets in rentals are expected to have a five year life.

the person on here who charged tenants full replacement value was either doing it before 2007, was abroad, didn't protect the deposit or did something else dodgy. It Does Not Work Like That in England where there is a wear and tear allowance. And fair enough.

OP obviously doing her best after a genuine accident, but there is a reason you don't find quality carpets in rentals. One of mine had an iron burn right in the middle of the room. Tough shit, I think we got £20 back.

Five? I must have an upgrade of my info sheets. I only did them in November, after a TDS update!

Thanks, I now have something constructive to do!

Be careful how much you do in one go. I remember the dog did a poo on carpet when I was a kid. Mum scrubbed it so much it went lighter than the surrounding bits and the floor boards swelled up. In the end a professional came in to do it.

You are doing a great job though.

re the curtains, if they are cotton, they should be washable. There'll probably be a washing label sewn into the header tape or the seam if they have been made commercially. If not, yes to a gentle 30 or 40 degree wash.
I'd actually soak the splatters with milk before hand, stretch the stain over a saucer or shallow bowl with a tiny bit of milk in and dip the stained bit into the bowl. rub gently with a finger or soft cloth and you should see the ink begin to dissolve. If it mostly comes out that way, just put the curtain into the washer with your normal washing detergent. If not give the vanish bar a try before a wash.

It looks like you've done a good job OP. For peace of mind, if you're even as half as clumsy as I am, have a look at tenants liability insurance, which would have covered you for this, if it happens again :)