Before you reach for anything, the general rules for every carpet stain are the same:
- Act fast. The longer a spill sits, the deeper it soaks and the more it bonds with the fibre.
- Blot, don't rub. Rubbing spreads the stain and frays the fibres. Press with a clean white cloth or kitchen roll.
- Work from the outside in so you don't make the stain bigger.
- Use cold water unless you're sure heat is safe. Hot water sets protein stains like blood and milk.
- Test first. Try any product on a hidden area such as inside a cupboard.
- Go easy on soap. Detergent left in the carpet attracts dirt and leaves a dark patch. Rinse with plain water and blot dry.
Red wine
Blot up as much as you can straight away. Pour a little cold water on the stain to dilute it and keep blotting. If colour remains, a small amount of carpet stain remover made for wine stains may help. Don't pour salt on it and leave it; it can set the stain and leave residue.
Coffee and tea
Blot, dilute with cold water and blot again. Milk in the drink adds a protein element, so keep the water cold. Tannin stains can come back as the carpet dries, so a professional clean may be needed for old or large spills.
Blood
Use cold water only. Blot gently and repeat. Never use hot water, which cooks the protein into the fibres. Fresh blood usually comes out completely if you're patient.
Mud
Leave it to dry completely, then break it up and vacuum it out. Only treat the mark left behind with a little water and blotting. Trying to clean wet mud just pushes it further in.
Pet urine
Blot up as much as possible with kitchen roll, pressing firmly. Rinse with cold water and blot again. An enzyme cleaner designed for pet urine breaks down the compounds that cause the smell. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners: urine contains ammonia compounds, so the smell can encourage your pet to go there again. If the smell keeps coming back, it's likely in the underlay; see pet odour removal.
Candle wax
Let the wax harden, then scrape off as much as you can. Put brown paper or a plain paper towel over what's left and press with a warm iron on a low setting; the wax melts into the paper. Keep moving the paper to a clean section. Test the iron's heat on a hidden area first, as synthetic fibres can melt.
Chewing gum
Freeze it with an ice cube in a plastic bag until it's brittle, then carefully pick or scrape it off. Treat any leftover residue with a little water and blotting.
Grease and oil
Blot up excess, then sprinkle with an absorbent such as cornflour or bicarbonate of soda, leave it to soak up the oil, and vacuum. Remaining marks usually need a professional clean.
When to stop and call a professional
Stop if the stain is spreading, the colour of the carpet is changing, the stain is large, it's on wool or a delicate rug, or you've already tried a couple of things without success. Every extra product makes the professional's job harder. A professional carpet clean can often remove stains that DIY methods can't touch, and the same advice applies to sofas and upholstery.