Blot, don't rub

Blot stains don't rub them: Dab stains with a cleaning solution and a clean cloth, paper towels, or a sponge. "The key is blotting. Blotting puts a small amount of pressure on the stain to soak it up," Tarbox says. "Rubbing causes the particles to get ground into the carpet fibers, and this can lead to the premature breakdown of those fibers." Always blot from the outside of the stain inward, as blotting outward can spread the stain.