Even if your carpet is regularly and carefully maintained, it is almost impossible to avoid stains. They occur quite often, especially if there are children and pets in the house.

There are several types of stains and identifying their origin is one of the most important factors for their successful removal.

• Water – These stains are usually caused by different liquids – juice, souse or just food. These are the most common types of stains.
• Oil – Stains from lipstick, nail polish, ink, paint …. These stains are usually treated with petroleum based solvents.
• Organic stains – caused by bodily fluids and oils, like blood. If a blood stain appears on your carpet, try to remove as much of the stain as possible by using a paper towel. Then mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with half a cup of water and apply directly, just make sure that the backing of the carpet does not get wet. Use a white paper towel again to remove the access moisture. You can then mix dish washing detergent with water and apply a small quantity on the spot by blotting with a white paper towel until the spot is removed. Finally, use tap water to rinse the carpet and remove the excess moisture with a paper towel. If the stain still remains, use 3% hydrogen peroxide and leave it for one hour. Apply paper towels to remove excess moisture.
• Candle Wax - to remove a candle wax stain, put brown paper or a cloth over the spot and iron, but make sure that the iron is set to ‘warm’. Most of the wax should be absorbed by the paper or cloth and you can then apply alcohol on a clean cloth and remove any traces by gently rubbing the area.
• Chewing Gum - the most effective method for removing a chewing gum from your carpet is to freeze the gum with ice cubes and then remove it by using a knife handle and a vacuum.
• Coffee - the first thing you need to do if you spill coffee over your carpet is to try to remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting with a white paper towel. Then, apply white vinegar mixed with water by using a spray bottle and blot again with white paper towel to remove moisture. Next, mix dish washing detergent with water and apply the detergent solution to the spot. Use a white paper towel to remove the excess moisture again. You can then rinse with water and apply a pad of paper towels, but allow some time for the moisture to be absorbed.

If a stain is successfully removed or remains permanent depends hugely on whether and how you treat the stain immediately on its appearance. It is very important to act fast and to try to remove as much of the staining substance as possible. You can apply isopropyl alcohol on a towel and then carefully rub the stain. Make sure that the alcohol does not penetrate too deeply because it may damage the carpet base. If this does not work, you may use a clean, dry towel to apply non-bleach dishwashing detergent mixed with water. Make sure that you apply the solution to the cloth or sponge and not directly to the carpet. Use a dry cloth to remove as much of the detergent as possible to avoid permanent stains.

You will then need to ring a professional carpet cleaner to help you out, provided no bleaching materials, ironing or heating of the stain have been attempted.