Sometimes removing stains is not as complicated as most professional carpet cleaning companies would like you to think. Before you run out and buy a really expensive stain remover or hire a professional carpet cleaner. Try this simple process to remove stains and you just might be pleasantly surprised and at a much lower cost.

The first thing to do if you have a spill of liquid is to get a soft white cloth, even better if it is cotton and blot it dry. Do not rub and scrub as this will just embed the stain into the fabric. Once you have completed this process, if the stain is still visible, dampen it again with a teaspoon full of warm water and go through the process once more.

If this does not work then you need to get your dishwashing liquid out and put a few drops on a table spoon with warm water and dampen the stain again, let it sit about 2 minuets and then start blotting it dry again.

This is hard work and it takes a little time but will remove most, if not all of the stain if you keep repeating the process.

The second type of stain is a dried stain. This is more difficult and more time consuming because a few more steps and some actual stain remover may be needed.

First take some warm water and dampen the stain area, do not use a lot of water as this will soak into the padding and may make stains rise from below and may even spread the stain. Then sprinkle with baking soda and allow to soak for one half hour. One it has soaked it will or should be partially or mostly dry.

Lightly dampen again and place a few drops of dish washing detergent in a table spoon and add a little water. Place this on the stain and blot dry with a white cotton cloth. Allow to dry and vacuum. If it does not completely remove the stain and repeat the process up to 5 times.

If it is not removed within 5 times then use a spot or stain remover. Spray the stain remover on the stain and let it soak for 10 minuets and then spray again. Then follow the directions on the stain remover.

Removing dried materials like gum or peanut butter requires that you first place ice on it to make it brittle. Once this is accomplished, vacuum the area and then follow the steps above to remove the final parts of the stain.

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Jim Corkern is a writer and respected contributor to the New York Carpet Cleaning Industry and handels the advertising for several New York Carpet Cleaners.