Riverbank stains can be awkward at the best of times.

If you live in a flat above or beside a busy high street, you already know the rhythm: doorbells, takeaway bags, muddy shoes, the odd spill after a late tea, and carpets that seem to attract stains the moment you relax.

If you live in a Ham Common flat, carpet care can feel strangely specific. One spill near the sofa, a damp day with shoes tracking in grit, and suddenly the whole room looks tired.

Historic homes are wonderfully characterful, but they can be tricky to care for. Fabrics fade, fillings shift, embroidery frays, and what looks like a simple sofa clean can turn into a lesson in restraint.