There are many different kinds of stains and many different kinds of carpets that describing how to clean carpet stains in one small article would be nearly impossible. However, there are some basic tips on how to clean carpet stains. Remember to do your research and know what kind of carpet you have. Wool or delicate carpets may react differently than sturdier, standard carpets.

1. Remove excess. Clean up what dirt you can by using a vacuum or a paper towel. Blot up extra liquids with a paper towel. This prevents spreading the stain further on the carpet and makes it easier to clean up. Do not scrub the stain at first as this may spread the stain.

2. Grease spills. If you happen to spill cooking oil or something with an oil-like base, it is best to use baking soda or corn meal. Sprinkle this on the stain and leave it to dry. It is probably best to leave it over night. In the morning or when the baking soda has soaked up the oil, vacuum up the stain.

3. Hard to get out food stains. Things like wine, juice or coffee are extremely hard to get out of carpets but it can be done. After soaking up as much of the liquid as possible in a paper towel, use a sponge with a mixture of ammonia and warm water. Blot the stain and continue until ready. Cover with more paper towels and let it sit for several hours. Vacuum dry afterwards and this should get the stain up.

4. Wax. Whether from candles, soap or other items, wax can be hard to remove. Wait until the wax has cooled before attempting these steps to prevent burns. Use a wash cloth and wet it thoroughly, then squeeze the water out until it is just damp. Place the wash cloth over the wax stain. Then carefully use a hot iron and sit the iron on the cloth over the wax. This should cause the wax to melt and it will be soaked into the cloth. Be very careful using this step as to not burn yourself or the carpet.

5. General stain removal. In most cases, bar soap may work just as well to remove things like tomato, grape or coffee stains. Use an old toothbrush and first rub the brush on the wet bar soap, then scrub onto the stains. Be sure to test the soap on the carpet before using this method as it may not work on all carpets.

6. Gum. Gum is unanimously one of the hardest things to get out of carpet. In most cases, pulling on the gum only rips out the carpet threads. Some recommend peanut butter to remove gum but in most cases the peanut butter leaves a stain. Some people recommend WD-40 and others highly recommend lighter fluid to get rid of stains. If the gum is close to the surface of the carpet, clipping with scissors may be your best bet.

There are many other various ways to get stains out of carpets. Regular store bought carpet cleaning solutions and kits will often work well on removing most stains. The trick is usually to clean the stain as soon as possible.