How to Clean a Carpet

1 The first step in most carpet-cleaning situations is to blot not rub the spill with clean, white, absorbent materials such as towels, napkins or tissues. Be careful not to damage the carpet fibers. After blotting the spot, apply a solution of alcohol, ammonia or vinegar. Rinse with hot water from a spray bottle. Extract it with a wet/dry shop vacuum cleaner and use a blow dryer or fan to dry. If you don't have a vacuum cleaner, then blot.

2 Rubbing the spot only spread the stain and make a bigger mess. If you're using a cleaning solution, use small amounts and blot frequently. Work from the outer edge of the spot toward the center to prevent rings. Always test any cleaning solution in a hidden area first to make sure it won't discolor the carpet.

3 If the spill is solid or composed of built-up materials, try to remove the bulk of it with a rounded tablespoon, spatula or the edge of a dull knife. Break up the soil and vacuum away the loose pieces before attacking the rest of the stain.

4 The common cleansers used are alcohol or neutral spirits. You could also make an ammonia solution with one tablespoon of clear household ammonia and 1/2 cup water. Make a Mix 1/3 cup white household vinegar with 2/3-cup water to make a vinegar solution.

5 Incase you have chewing gum stuck on the carpet remove it with an ice cube or spray some professional gum remover until it is brittle enough to scrape off with a dull knife or spatula. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, which is available at most hardware stores, to remove remaining traces.

6 To clean up a spill from a soft drink that contains red dye, start by blotting it first, then immediately call a carpet-cleaning professional. If it doesn't contain red dye, continue blotting.

7 For mud spills, brush or scrape off as much as possible, then clean.