If you have children, pets, or frequently entertain guests in your home, then you have probably struggled to remove carpet stains at some point. As a parent and a pet owner, I have had to deal with more carpet stains than I care to recount.  Someone spills a beverage, drops what they're eating or tracks something into the house and onto your carpet. If you value your carpets or take pride in having a clean home, it is imperative that you know a few different ways to remove carpet stains of various types. There are certain treatments and techniques that work well for different types of stains and in order to ensure a swift and thorough removal of the blemish, it is best to know what you are doing before you begin. Below you will find some helpful tips for cleaning, identifying, and removing some common types of rug stains.

The first step that should be taken when you need to remove carpet stains is to clean up the mess. For best results, you have to pounce as soon as you notice the stain.  Blotting is an effective technique, as it allows for you to soak up the stain without causing it to spread or penetrate deeper into the fibers of the carpet. To blot a stain, simply get a clean, white absorbent towel or washcloth and dab at the areas. Be sure not to press to firmly on the stain, rub it, or smear it around too much. If you do this, you will only make the situation worse. The idea is to remove only the excess moisture or substance so that further cleaning action can be taken.

The next step that should be taken in order to remove carpet stains is to identify which type of stain you have on your carpet. This should be a fairly easy task to accomplish if the stain is fresh and you know the cause. However, if you do not know what cause the stain and those in your home have no idea either, it may be necessary to resort to smelling the area or cutting free a few fibers of the carpet for a closer inspection.

Many stains have a different type of treatment from others and what works on one may actually cause the other to become worse. If you can’t identify the cause of the stain, then it is best to go with a neutral type of treatment to avoid doing more harm than good.

Some stains require their own unique method of removal, and can be easy to get rid of if you follow the right set of procedures. Some common types of stains and their treatment options include grease, ink and juices.

A tough stain to remove, grease should have a small amount of dry cleaning solution applied to the spot, and then rinsed with lukewarm water and dishwashing soap. Blot dry with a towel from the outside of the stain to the inside and let sit to dry.

Perhaps one of the hardest stains to remove carpet stains, ink should also be cleaned with dry cleaning fluid, but may require several different treatments before any benefits are seen. Persistence is the key for removing ink stains from your carpet.

Juice may seem like a difficult stain to remove, but if you use the right method it can be a cinch. Apply a small amount of ammonia to the stain and then place a white towel over the area. Turn an iron on medium high and hold it on the towel over the stain for 10-15 seconds. After the allotted time remove the iron and towel to reveal a stain free carpet. The stain will now be located on your white rag.

In order to remove carpet stains, there are a number of procedures that must be followed. Not only do you need to know how to clean the initial mess, but you also need to know how to identify the stain and find a compatible treatment option as well. By following the tips above, you can keep your carpet stain free.