Carpet cleaning tips from an expert

It is sad but true that coffee stains, wine spills as well as footprints on your carpets are part of daily life. While there are some ways you can prevent them from happening (e.g., asking guests not to wear their shoes or buying a stain-resistant carpet), your best option is to learn how to fix them as soon as they do.

Regular vacuuming helps remove dirt and dust from the carpet, but spots and stains are not something that any vacuum can handle. These mishaps can be costly, so you might consider hiring a professional or investing in a portable or upright carpet cleaning machine. Carolyn Forte (Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab) explains how to effectively remove carpet stains.

These instructions will help you clean most stains from your carpet.

• Take two empty spray cans and fill them with cold water. Use 1/4 teaspoon of mild dishwashing soap, such as a Dishwashing Dish Soap, in one bottle. The other container should contain 1 cup of warm water.

• Spray the detergent solution onto an absorbent fabric (not the carpet -- don't wet it too much), then rub the cloth with the soapy water. It should be applied to the problem. Use a clean piece to blot the stain. Continue to apply the stain until it is gone.

• Spray the cold water on a second cloth and rub the carpet.

• Put a stack of paper towels on the affected area. Place a heavy object on top. "Overnight, the towels will soak up any residual stain deep in the carpet. In the morning, fluff the fibers with your fingers and allow it to air-dry," says Forte.

If the stain does not go away, then you can either repeat the steps above or look for a carpet stain remover specifically designed to treat the stain.

How to Remove Pet Stains from Carpet

It doesn't matter how cute your four-legged friend might be; the urine and poop stains they leave behind are a serious problem. A carpet cleaner that has enzymes like Bissell Professional Pet Stain Removing Formula can be used to get rid of pet stains. It removes the stain and destroys odor-causing bacteria so your pet won't soil the same spot again. Once the cleaner has been applied, dab it into the pile using a damp cloth. Keep blotting until you are satisfied with the results. Use a clean, damp cloth to rinse the area. You may need to mist it with some water if necessary. After blotting, cover the area with a damp fabric for up to 12 hours. This will give the enzymes in this formula more time. You can then remove the cloth, fluff, and dry the pile.