Last Tuesday we got the carpets in our new flat professionally cleaned, so that when we moved in on Friday they would be dry and clean. The property was locked and left empty with the windows closed until the Friday, and they now reek of wet dog. Has anyone else had this happen to them, and how long did the smell last for? Is rank!

We used to have it done in offices of mine and it was bleddy awful. Will last a few days. It really needs to be done in fine weather with windows open etc., but the chances of that being possible are, as you are aware, virtually nil.

This must be a common thing by the sounds of it. It has always put me off having it done at home ever.

If you have carpets cleaned in future, consider hiring a steam cleaner. No need to use any unpleasant chemicals - it's just pure steam.