Tips and tricks for removing carpet stains

Rugs and carpets take a beating from shoes, kids and pets. Follow the cleaning tips below to keep your rugs and carpets spotless.

Rugs and carpets take a beating from shoes, kids and pets. They can also fall victim to food and bloodstains, as well as burns, oil and grease stains, imprints and odours. Keep them maintained on a regular basis to ensure that they feel great beneath your feet, contribute warmth to a room and provide maximum comfort. Follow the tips below to keep your rugs and carpets spotless.

• Soak up rug spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth. Work the stains out from the edge toward the centre.

• Treat blood and coffee stains immediately by dabbing the soiled spot with a solution made from 25 millilitres (two tablespoons) of vinegar and 60 millilitres (four tablespoons) of water. Speed is essential when dealing with these kinds of stains.

• Also try mineral water for coffee or bloodstains. Flush the stains with some water, then dry and dab with diluted ammonia.

• Soften dried stains with glycerin to help loosen the stain before further treatment.

• Reverse the damage of a minor burn spot that hasn't actually destroyed the pile of the rug with an onion-based mix. Boil up 250 millilitres (one cup) of vinegar, 50 grams (two ounces) of talcum powder, and two coarsely-chopped onions. Let cool, apply to the spot and let dry; then brush off the residue.

• Rub the rug or carpet's fibres gently with steel wool until the burned bits disappear.

• Repair burn holes by using a razor blade to cut some fibres from a hidden place in the pile of the rug, put some all-purpose glue into the burn hole, and arrange the fibres in it. Weigh down the area until the glue dries.

• Eliminate grass stains with a solution made of 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of ammonia and 250 millilitres (one cup) of water, then dab with tap water.

• Soak up grease or oil stains by sprinkling them with rye or cornmeal. Let it sit for an hour, brush off and remove the residue with tap water.

• Sprinkle salt on fresh red wine stains. As soon as the liquid has been absorbed, vacuum it up and dab the spot with mineral water.

• Blot up large white wine stains with paper towels, then treat them with a solution made from one millilitre (1/4 teaspoon) of mild detergent and one litre/quart of water. Blot up any excess liquid.

• Remove hardened chocolate with a knife, then dab away the residue with cold water, followed by warm water.

• Horrified to find a big wad of chewing gum stuck to the rug? Never fear. Place a plastic bag filled with ice cubes on it to make the chewing gum brittle enough to chip away with a spatula or spoon.