The three rules that matter most
- Act quickly. Fresh spills lift far more easily than dried stains.
- Blot, never rub. Rubbing pushes the substance into the pile and spreads it sideways.
- Work from the outside in, so you do not create a larger ring around the stain.
Stain by stain
Coffee and tea: blot up as much as possible with a white cloth or paper towel, then apply a small amount of mild detergent solution and blot again with clean water. Repeat rather than scrubbing.
Red wine: blot immediately, then flush with cool water and blot dry. Do not use salt, which can set the colour, and do not add heat.
Pet urine: blot the liquid, then flush the area with cool water and extract it. The visible mark is the easy part, the odour sits in the underlay and needs an enzyme treatment to break it down.
Blood: use cold water only. Warm water sets protein stains. Blot gently and repeat with clean water.
Ink: dab with a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cloth, testing on a hidden patch first, then rinse and blot.
Candle wax: let it harden completely, break it away, then press a warm (not hot) cloth over the residue so the remaining wax transfers into the cloth.
Chewing gum: harden it with an ice cube, then pick it off in pieces rather than pulling at the fibres.
What not to do
- Do not flood the stain. Excess water travels into the underlay and causes browning, ripples and damp smells.
- Do not use bleach or strong household cleaners on coloured or wool carpet.
- Do not scrub with a stiff brush, which fuzzes the pile permanently.
- Do not use heat on protein stains such as blood, milk or vomit.
- Do not keep applying product after the stain stops lifting. At that point more moisture is the problem, not less.
When to call a professional
Several situations are worth handing over rather than attempting yourself. A stain that keeps returning after the surface looks clean is wicking back from the underlay, which needs deep extraction rather than more spotting.
Call a professional if the stain covers a large area, sits in wool, silk or a delicate rug, involves pet odour, or has already been treated with something that changed the colour. Getting it right once is cheaper than replacing carpet.