Whether one of your children has become overzealous with the poster paints or you’ve just spilt your coffee, stains in rugs and carpets can be tricky to get out and a bit of a pain. Unlike clothes, they can’t easily be bunged in the washing machine so you often have to take the situation into your own hands – literally. Luckily, with a bit of elbow grease and the right carpet cleaning solution, getting stains out of carpet can be simple. Here’s how you can get stubborn stains out of your carpet or rug.PaintAccidents happen and creativity should always be encouraged, so rather than stopping your children from painting altogether, make sure you have a couple of tricks up your sleeve in case a spillage happens. Obviously, it’s also sensible to get in the habit of putting down newspaper or plastic, or to have a designated corner of a hard-floored area, but sometimes even this can’t prevent paint from being flicked here, there and everywhere. Luckily, most children’s paints are water-based so relatively easy to get out. If the stain is still wet, blot the excess paint and then use a knife to scrape the rest of the chunkier bits of paint off. Don’t rub the stain while it’s wet, as this will only spread the paint and make the stain larger. Then, simply use some water and washing liquid cleaning solution to lift the rest of the stain. Similarly, if the paint is dried-on, use the washing up liquid solution to soak the stain and soften it, before carrying out the same process.Oil-based paint can be a bit more difficult, as simple warm water won’t have much effect on it. If you allow your children to use oil-based paints, it’s wise to invest in a steamer, as this is the most effective way of lifting the stain.MudNo matter how careful we are, mud and dirt always manages to find its way onto our carpet or rug. To remove any muddy footprints, unlike with most stains, it’s actually better to let dirt and mud dry, as it becomes more manageable and less likely to spread. Once dry, vacuum up the excess particles of dirt. Then, mix a cleaning solution of washing up liquid or detergent and warm water, and soak the stain using a cloth or sponge. Let it soak for half an hour, or longer, depending on how deeply ingrained the stain is in the carpet. Once soaked, use another cloth to absorb the solution. Use a white cloth so you can check the progress of the transfer. Keep repeating this process until the stain has disappeared. Use a dry cloth to absorb the rest of the water and allow to air dry.Food and DrinkFood and drink spillages are probably the most common causes of stains on carpets. Some food and drink, especially those who are red in colour, tend to stain very easily and getting them out can be a nightmare. The first step is blot the stain if it’s still wet, then soak the stain for as long as possible. Make a solution with tepid water and detergent, and apply with a cloth. Once soaked, absorb the solution with another cloth. If the stain is still there, you may want to try a white vinegar solution. Simply mix a small amount of vinegar with water and, similar to the other carpet cleaning method with detergent, use a white cloth to soak the stain. Then use the detergent solution again and repeat if needed. Use a dry cloth to absorb any excess water. You can hire professional carpet cleaners if you are not sure how to handle tough stains.

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