Treatments for every type of carpet stain

<em><img alt="Wendell T. Webber " title="Wendell T. Webber" src="http://img.timeinc.net/realsimple/i/p/Dec_Jan03/1203_home_carpet_dirt.jpg" align="right" width="180" height="240">No matter what kind of spill (soda, salad dressing) or what kind of carpet (synthetic, seagrass), these all-purpose stain treatments will lift up whatever&#39;s underfoot</em> <p><strong>Easy Carpet-Stain Solutions</strong><br> These stain-busters are made of products you probably have on hand. But follow the recipes exactly. &quot;In cleaning carpet, more is never better,&quot; says Barbara Wilson, technical-information manager for the Carpet and Rug Institute. And don&#39;t approach carpet cleaning the same way you scrub the tub: Rubbing a spot vigorously will not make the stain disappear faster, but it can damage the carpet fibers and make the stain set in deeper. The following pages will fill you in on when and how to use these various solutions to remove beverage, mud, oil, and various other carpet stains. </p><p><strong>Synthetic-Carpet Cleaners </strong><br> Dip a white cloth into these solutions and apply to the stain. Never pour the solutions directly onto carpeting. </p><ul> <li>Detergent solution: Mix 1/4 teaspoon of a translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into 1 cup of lukewarm water. </li> <li>Vinegar solution: Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water. </li> <li>Solvent solution: Use an oil solvent, such as Carbona Carpet Wizard Carpet Cleaner (www.carbona.com for store locations). Or substitute nail-polish remover, such as Cutex Quick &amp; Gentle non-acetone polish remover. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Natural-Fiber-Carpet Cleaners</strong><br> Place these solutions (except the solvent) in spray bottles and mist them lightly onto the stain. </p><ul> <li>Detergent solution: Mix 1 teaspoon of translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into 1 cup of lukewarm water. </li> <li>Vinegar solution: Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1/4 cup of water. </li> <li>Ammonia solution: Mix 1 tablespoon of clear household ammonia with 1/2 cup of lukewarm water. </li> <li>Solvent solution: Same as for synthetic carpets (see above).</li> </ul> <p><strong>See <em>Real Simple</em>&#39;s <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/gallery/0,21863,1083528,00.html?xid=yshicarst2">6 Stain-Busters That Really Work</a>.</strong> </p><p><strong><img alt="Wendell T. Webber " title="Wendell T. Webber " style="width:180px;" src="http://img.timeinc.net/realsimple/i/p/Dec_Jan03/1203_home_carpet_chocolate.jpg" align="right" width="180" height="240">Food and Drink Stains</strong> </p><p>Includes wine, ketchup, chocolate, coffee, tea, beer, milk, tomato sauce, berries, hard candy, juice, soda, Gatorade, Kool-Aid. </p><p><strong>Synthetic-Fiber Rugs</strong><br> <strong>All stains</strong><br> </p><ol> <li>Dip a white cloth (or a white paper towel with no printing) into the detergent solution and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait 15 minutes (it takes time to break down the stain), then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth. </li> <li>Dip a cloth into the vinegar solution and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait another 15 minutes. (This is an important step, because white vinegar removes residual detergent, which will attract dirt if left in the carpet.) </li> <li>Rinse by blotting with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Wait one hour or until the carpet dries completely. For bad spills, place a 1/2-inch-thick stack of white paper towels over the stain after step 2, then lay a glass baking dish on top for 15 minutes. </li> <li>As long as you see the stain lightening, repeat these steps until it is gone.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Natural-Fiber Rugs</strong><br> <strong>Beer, coffee, tea</strong><br> </p><ol> <li>Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. </li> <li>Spray the stain with vinegar solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. </li> <li>Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. </li> <li>Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth. </li> <li>Repeat steps 1 through 4 until the stain is removed.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Hard candy, chocolate, berries, juice, wine, soda, milk</strong><br> Follow steps 1 to 5 (above), with one addition: Before applying the vinegar solution in step 2, spray the stain with ammonia solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. </p><p><strong>Ketchup, Gatorade, Kool-Aid, tomato sauce</strong><br> Follow steps 1 to 5 (above), but substitute ammonia solution for the vinegar one in step 2. </p><p><strong>See <em>Real Simple</em>&#39;s <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/gallery/0,21863,1044108,00.html?xid=yshicarst5">Deep-Cleaning in 1-2-3 Steps</a>.</strong> </p><p><strong><img alt="Wendell T. Webber " title="Wendell T. Webber " src="http://img.timeinc.net/realsimple/i/p/Dec_Jan03/1203_home_carpet_crayon.jpg" align="right" width="180" height="240">Oil and Grease Stains</strong> </p><p>Includes butter, salad dressing, cheese, eggnog, cooking oil, tree sap, crayon, lotion, mascara, lipstick, nail polish. </p><p><strong>Synthetic-Fiber Rugs</strong><br> <strong>All stains</strong><br> </p><ol> <li>Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth. Dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. </li> <li>Rinse by blotting with a white cloth soaked in lukewarm water. </li> <li>Wait one hour or until the carpet completely dries. If the stain is getting lighter, repeat until the stain is removed.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Natural-Fiber Rugs<br> All stains</strong> </p><ol> <li>Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. </li> <li>Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth. </li> <li>Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth. </li> <li>Wait one hour or until the carpet completely dries. If the stain is getting lighter, repeat these steps until it is gone.</li> </ol> <p><strong>More from <em>Real Simple</em>:<br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/gallery/0,21863,1141598-4,00.html?xid=yshicarst1">Stain Solutions for Ink, Dirt, Gum, Wax and More</a><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/gallery/0,21863,1085812,00.html?xid=yshicarst3">Best Way to Dust</a><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/gallery/0,21863,1096970,00.html?xid=yshicarst4">How to Make Tricky Household Surfaces Sparkle</a></strong> </p>