Wine spills. Chocolate drops. Ketchup drips. If the party’s at your place, expect a festive, colorful carpet after your last guest has gone home. If you act fast, you’ll keep common carpet visitors from taking up permanent residence in your home.

If you have children, then you understand the incredible value that goes along with having the proper carpet cleaning equipment. Of course, there are always situations in which you aren’t exactly certain which carpet cleaning device to use. A good rule of thumb is to first address the stain and then plan your line of attack. For the most part, the smaller the stain, the smaller the proper piece of equipment will be.

You’ll be surprised to learn that paper towels, baking powder, rubbing alcohol, vinegar and a spray bottle are all you need to take care of some of the more stubborn stains. No need to be afraid of finding the right rug cleaning tools for your home. If you take the proper action immediately after a spot is created, you can usually find all the answers you need right around your home to remove its unsightly scene.

Another factor to consider is how recent the spot you are cleaning is. Fresh spills are easiest to clean and should be blotted in order to remove the moisture before anything else is done. First things first: Blot (don’t soak) or spoon up the excess, then try the remedies below. Use a plastic bucket or old plastic container to create the solutions described below.

Carpet Stain Removal

* Blot the excess. This has already been mentioned, but it bears repetition. This is the overarching rule of carpet stain cleaning. Don’t soak or wipe it, otherwise you’re stuck with the stain for life.

Fresh spills are easiest to clean and should be blotted in order to remove the moisture before anything else is done. The quicker your blot, the less likely your stain will have time to set in.

A word of caution, however; excessive blotting can actually cause more damage to the fibers of your carpet rather than the deep cleaning benefit most people assume.

* Do not rub the stain. While stains in your rug can be a pain to remove, it’s important to remember to never rub a stain. Continue to blot the stain until it comes clean. Rubbing will break down the fibers of your carpet and rug and may even spread the stain.

* Know your stain. You don’t have to be the stain, but it helps to know the stain. Figure out what kind of stain you have on your hands. Unlike clothing, carpet stains can often be difficult to discern after a few moments. Smell it if you have to; seriously.

* Brush clean and vacuum once the stain is dry. The flat brush should pick up all the dried particles that are lingering on the rug, and the vacuum will do the rest.

* Place paper towels over the stain and let dry, overnight if you have to. This is a universal step that should be performed after cleaning the stain.

* Steam cleaning will remove carpet stains. If soap and water doesn’t work, try renting a powerful steam cleaner with a hand-held attachment. Whatever you do, don’t use harsh chemicals and make sure you do your best to dry the area you’ve cleaned. An absorbent powder like baking soda probably wouldn’t hurt, either.

* Hire professional cleaners; reserve it only as a last resort, but for many people it’s the first choice because of the sheer troublesomeness of carpet cleaning. Indeed, if all else fails, commercial carpet and rug cleaning equipment do exist to help you out.

While some may be expensive, it’s still a cheaper alternative to replacing the carpet. Just remember that learning what the stain is made of, how old the stain is and of course, the size of the stain will help you establish how to get rid of it.

Kinds of Carpet Stains

* For food stains, brake cleaner does a quick job of removing such stains. Just a small dab on a clean cloth, blot the stain, and rinse with soap and water. Did you know that brake cleaner has the same chemicals professional dry cleaners use to clean stains in clothing?

Whatever you do, do not pour the brake cleaner directly onto the carpet. It may dissolve the adhesive holding your carpet fibers together.

* For grease stains and ink stains, dab with a small amount of dry cleaning fluid. Then, blot with a small amount of dishwasher liquid and warm water. Blot from the outside in, and let stand for five minutes. Brake cleaner is useful too, just like with food stains.

* For bleach stains, keep in mind that bleach takes out the color. You would have to add color to the spot. You could… if you have a small sample of the rug and depending on the material that the rug is made out of… try to color it.

You could also get a professional to either dye or add color to the spot. Or, if you have a sample, they can cut the piece out and add a new piece of rug to the area.

* For coffee and chocolate stains, blot the area with a clean, white cloth to absorb all the liquid you can. Blot from the outside of the stain in to avoid spreading the stain. Afterwards, mix one teaspoon of clear, mild liquid dishwashing detergent with one cup lukewarm water. Sponge the area with the detergent solution. Blot again with a clean, white cloth.

Mix one-third cup white vinegar with two-thirds cup of lukewarm water, then sponge the area with the vinegar solution. Blot with a clean, white cloth. Subsequently, sponge the area with clean water. Blot with a clean, white cloth.

* For mud stains, the first step is to lift away whatever can be removed easily with a spatula or a dull knife. Let the mud dry, and then vacuum the excess. If the stain persists, clean it with a cloth dampened with ammonia-water solution.

* For juices and wines, mix a small amount of laundry detergent with lukewarm water (or ammonia) and blot the stain. Then, sponge lightly with club soda and blot on the detergent water solution again.

Because most rugs and carpets cannot be turned over on the wrong side, your only option is to pour the cold water on top of the rug or carpet. For white wine stains on rugs and carpets, you should stick to a carpet spot cleaner.

* For gum stains, the good news is that if you freeze the gum with ice cubes, you can chip off a good portion of it with the blunt side of a knife and use DeSolvit for the rest.

* For eggs and dairy products, blot with ammonia and sponge with warm water. Then, blot with white vinegar and warm water mixture.

Preventing Carpet Stains

* Carpet Maintenance. The best solution is always prevention and you can keep carpet stains to a minimum by simply keeping them clean. A thorough dusting… or even cleaning… of your carpet on a monthly basis will usually keep dust, dirt and stains from building up.

* Don’t eat or drink on your carpet. Obviously you don’t want to be eating or drinking on your carpet. Even a water spill can allow moisture to infiltrate the material within the rug, causing the deterioration of the material, mold growth and bad smells. Don’t use your carpet for a dining room table or a picnic cloth either, even if you live in a dorm.