Guest ruined carpet

[DeedlessIndeed]

OK, logically I know that this is a minor problem in the grand scheme of things. I know people are facing real issues in the world, but this has really annoyed me.

We have just had new wool carpet fitted in the whole of the upstairs. Saved up for a while as it was expensive (for us). After 5 years of renovation, we finally have the upstairs finished! I was so so happy.

Had parents stay this weekend and left yesterday. They've seen the house in all stages of building site and they know how excited I am to have the upstairs done. I explained that we are being careful to keep it looking nice. And they know we are a slippers only house apart from the hard floors in the hall etc.

Well, I went into their room to do the bedding this morning and can see that they've rolled their dirty suitcase wheels all along the carpet. A bit annoying, but oh well. It's dried so I can hoover it up hopefully. Then I see they've spilled a coffee or dark tea next to the bed. There is a huge splatter mark all over the carpet in front of the beside table. It's also on the skirting board and wall, but I can touch that up at least.

I'm just feeling a bit gutted. If they had an accident then why not say and I could have got on it and stop it staining. I'm regretting not getting a easily cleanable carpet but the fact they didn't mention it is the worst part IYSWIM?

Would you say anything to your parents? They do mean well, but they just don't "get" having nice things and looking after them.

Look on the internet. There are lots of ways to get tea and coffee stains out of wool carpets. Very annoying though.

I feel your pain. We’d just paid a fair whack to have our large hallway redecorated and the very next day my mother walked in and somehow scraped her black handbag along the wall. Don’t know how, but it left a two foot long black mark right across the fresh paint, we had to get the decorator back in.

It can’t be helped but I’d think FFS!

Honestly, the only reason they are still allowed to visit/stay in the house is because the relationship they have with DS (5) is wonderful and I don't want to compromise that. However we do now limit how often they visit, and for how long which makes it less stressful for us, and they get their "fill" of spending time with DS.

You can love people and the nice things you’ve saved for, whilst hating the inconsiderate things people do to them! The cost of the item isn’t the only thing that matters, either. If it had been a home made present , or a cheap rug , I’m sure the OP would have been upset about that too!

Yes, this sounds quite similar. They were always a touch mocking of anyone trying to better themselves through education. Or people "getting above their station" by having nice things.

You could get a Vax. We have porridge-coloured carpet and the Vax has been invaluable, as DH will fall asleep with a cup of tea in his hand. It's good for generally freshening it up too, when it gets a bit grubby. Use with carpet cleaner.

This happened to me and I got it entirely replaced under my contents insurance
it was easy peasy

Did you ever damage anything when you lived with them? Ban drinks except water bottles going forward. You do sound a bit over the top tbh.

Mine was 7 years old!

and I got a beautiful new carpet.

best thing my nephew ever did!

Said once I’d get a back door key to make it easier for him and he’s like no I don’t need one it’s fine

But then surely you say that you will get a back door key as it's easier for you not to have to clean up mud that has been walked through your house!

Would he at least put overshoes on?

Not sure how happy I’d be with my child having any kind of relationship with a pair that lie freely and without abandon to their daughter @Caledoniadreaming

Is their eyesight OK? They may not have noticed. I had my reading glasses on when I knelt down to wrap a present on my rug and saw marks I didn't know were there.

to the extent we bring food/milk that they are unlikely to eat for our son when we do go and visit them.

and they don’t even buy their grandchild food he will eat when he’s travelled 8 hours to see them.

honestly, why do you want people like this in your child’s life? 😕

A whole carpet replaced for a stain that could have been removed?
Easy peasy to go through the inconvenience of having to empty the whole room, to have the carpet laid again?

No, don't say anything. Do what you can to get it out: carpet cleaners can come and do spot areas for not that many ££ if DIY doesn't get it out and it is really bothering you. I bet they don't even know they spilled it. If you feel strongly about it, and it's likely to happen again put mats (from Dunelm, a few £) near the bedside tables next time they come. I once had a guest puke purple over our carpet and we never managed to get it out properly (they cleaned up really well after themselves but the colour never entirely came out). Clearly they were mortified but equally -- accidents. Humans make messes all the time.

If I spilled a drink that stained a carpet at any of my adult children's houses, I would clean it up straight away and apologise. I would do the same if I did this at a friend's house as it's just good manners.

It is not comparable with children doing this at home before they reach adulthood. It's an occupational hazard of having childrent and not comparable to spilling something in your adult child's house. It was rude of OP's parents not to mention it or even attempt to clean it up.

This is why I hate carpets. Do you have anyone local who steam cleans them? I usually pay about £80 for a room.

If the carpet is nearly new I would first contact the company from whom you purchased it for advice. If you are not confident about treating it yourself, consider having it treated professionally. I'd also try and establish from your relatives whether it was tea, coffee or whatever.

So am I

dm came over and spilt tea on my carpet accidentally and was mortified

I’m really “precious “ about my things. It’s also to do with making things last)

dh quickly cleaned it with carpet cleaner

i think those new stain remover machines may be a good investment

also years ago we took out an insurance on a carpet so if things got spilt company came to clean it up and thank goodness -

dc knocked red wine off a table messing around on my brand new carpet

@DeedlessIndeed I hate it when people do this, why not just own up so you can deal with it quickly.

One of my guests knocked tea over my brand new dining chair. I wish they had owned up, but ofcourse they didn’t.

I found the huge tea stain whilst tidying up, so disheartening when you take pride in your things and others ruin them xx

I've called and sent photos to a local carpet cleaning company. I'm waiting to hear back for a quote.

I won't ask my parents to pay (they would never just pay and I do not want the awkwardness.)

I'm scared to do too much myself as I tried a little spot but seem to be pulling up the fibres so will leave it to the professionals and mark it up to experience.

If all else fails I will look at patching the carpet - is have never have thought of that so thank you!

A few questions - mum is mid 60s, dad 70s. Neither frail.

Yes, their home is a bit of a sight. They just don't see the chaos and never have.

No, I would not put my nice things above my parents. However I am frustrated that it has to be a choice. Just be respectful in sometime else's home and don't just leave it for me to discover the next day!

Definitely will ask them to not take hot drinks upstairs next time!

Not really the point of OP's issue - i love carpet - its warm and cosy- especially in bedrooms - Hate wooden floor in bedrooms - rug doesn't make it any more cosy either, Carpet is also a great noise reducer too

People are allowed to choose carpet and also expect their guests to have some respect when visiting

I feel your pain. Some of DH's relatives are similar, it never enters their heads to use coasters and I have to watch them like hawks in case I end up with coffee mug rings on tables etc. Its really disrespectful.

Why on earth would she need one???? I dont have any on my beds - they are not toddlers but adults would expect them to have control over their body fluids FFS