Any busy family household will know that cleaning can feel like a never-ending mission. If I'm honest, with three little ones (including a crawling baby) I'm merely aiming to keep the chaos under control most of the time. And as kids and mess go hand-in-hand, I'm constantly cleaning up accidents and everyday messes. My floors in particular are a magnet for spills, crumbs and muddy footprints – and it's an uphill battle that I never seem to win.
Of course, I rely on one of the best carpet cleaners for deeper cleans, but every so often (ok, every day), I need a quick-fix for those smaller messes. And when it comes to figuring out how to clean carpets quickly and without fuss, I've tried more cleaning products than I care to remember.
But few have genuinely made my life easier the same way the Dr Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover (£3.50 at Amazon) has. I use it in every room of the house – it's quick, easy and I'm not kidding when I say it's saved my sanity more times than I should probably admit. This is why I love it, and how I use it - and not just for my carpets.
This may be advertised as a carpet cleaner, but it's so much more - and I use it in every room of the house.
The one cleaning product I can't live without
I don't stick to a strict daily cleaning schedule as life with three children just doesn't allow for that. Instead, I opt for a grab-and-go style of cleaning, dealing with messes as they come.
And that's one of the reasons why the best upholstery cleaners are such a must-have for me. But while there are various options out there, I find that the Dr Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover is the best for my busy home. It's super simple to use, works its magic in just three minutes and is incredibly affordable.
Thanks to the integrated 2-in-1 brush with sponge and bristles, you can apply it directly onto the stain with no extra tools or unnecessary faffing - which is perfect for busy people like me who don't have the time.
Personally, I just squeeze a little onto the spot, work it lightly into the fabric with the brush (taking care not to soak it), and leave it to do its thing.
After it's fully soaked in, I use a damp, light-coloured cloth to dab away any moisture, and give the brush a quick rinse. And voilà – it really is that easy.
No need to pull any big appliances out of the cupboard, no waiting around for the carpets to dry, and best of all there's no mess staring at me from the across the room.
How I use the Dr Beckmann Stain Remover in every room
1. On my carpets
As the name suggests, the main place I use Dr Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover is on my carpets. I have light coloured carpets (you may say that was a rookie mistake with three kids!) and it's a struggle to keep them looking clean and fresh.
And while I do own (and love) the Bissell SpotClean HydroSteam, sometimes I just don't have the time (not to mention the patience) to dig it out and set it up every time there's a spill that needs treating, which is why this little miracle bottle has become my go-to. It's a much cheaper option too at £3.50 – and a bottle tends to last me a few weeks.
Anything that requires minimal effort gets my vote, and you generally don't need to use much elbow grease. Don't get me wrong, this isn't the only way to remove stains from carpets, but I'll be hard-pressed to find a better method that works this well with so little effort.
Another big tick is that Dr Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover also neutralises odours. While I don't have pets or need to get rid of dog pee, my carpets have definitely suffered through the potty training years – and any parent will know you really don't want to leave those smells to linger.
Not only does this stain remover banish the mark, it removes the odour too. And unlike some cleaning products, it doesn't leave behind that overpowering, clinical scent either – just a fresher, cleaner carpet.
2. On my sofas
Although Dr Beckmann has a dedicated upholstery cleaner, I often use the carpet stain remover on my fabric sofas. After all, knowing how to clean sofas when you've got little ones is a minefield, as they collect marks faster than you can keep up with.
Over time my poor sofas have seen it all – juice spills, sticky yoghurt handprints, and even dreaded felt tip disasters. Because I always need to act fast, I can just grab the bottle and nine times out of ten the marks are gone before they have chance to set in.
And as I'm pretty clumsy with drinks myself, I can guarantee if I spill a cup of tea on the carpet, it'll end up on my sofa too. So being able to tackle an accident with one product make things that little bit easier – and I'm all for that.
It's worth noting that the stain remover isn't suitable for velvet, leather or water-sensitive fabrics, so just be aware before you dive in and use it.
3. On my rugs
Rugs are another hotspot for me. The rug in my conservatory sits right by the back door, and let me tell you, keeping it free of muddy footprints is nigh-on impossible. It's also the room where the kids play so it's been subjected to everything including playdoh and more food and drink spills.
The stain remover is easy enough to weave into short bursts of tidying up and I love that I can use it to give my rug a much-needed refresh after the kids have been running in and out of the garden.
4. On my mattresses
This one might surprise you, but Dr Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover works really well on mattresses too. From bedtime drink spills and night-time accidents, my kids' mattresses have been put to the test.
When it comes to knowing how to clean a mattress, I've learnt the hard way that you need to act fast. I'm still trying to erase the memory of my son spilling nail varnish all over my mine!
I've tried all sorts of cleaning products in the past that have either soaked the mattress or failed to deal with lingering odours. That's why I love having this stain remover on hand to tackle mess, without making a bigger job of it.
And thankfully, this bottle of magic has been designed for these kinds of 'oops' moments.
In fact, Dr. Beckmann spokesperson Joanne Ward, says, 'Dr Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover is a lifesaver, its powerful formula works fast to lift everything from juice splashes to muddy footprints, while the built-in brush applicator works into fibres to remove stains, making tackling messes quick and easy.'
Alternative upholstery cleaners
Crowned the 'best overall' upholstery cleaner in our guide, this product is also a game-changer in busy households. The spray bottle means it's super easy to apply, too.
If you prefer something a little more eco-friendly, this Ecover upholstery cleaner is a firm favourite among the Ideal Home team. It's a little gentler than Dr. Beckmann, though.
If you need something a little stronger, our Cleaning Editor swears by the HG Stain Remover for more stubborn stains. It is strong, though, so you need to use it sparingly and test it first.
For me, the Dr Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover has become one of my cleaning cupboard staples. It's affordable, easy to use and saves me so much time. And in a house full of kids, anything that make the daily chaos a little more manageable is a win in my book. Do you have any other cleaning products you swear by?
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