It’s annoying having to deal with an accidental spillage on your carpet, rug, sofa or curtains. But with a few handy hints you can stave off disaster, until you can get on to a carpet and furniture cleaning professional.

For water soluble stains, such as alcohol, cola, milk or ice-cream, make up a simple cleaning solution made up of 1/4 teaspoon of non-bleach detergent (or white vinegar) mixed with a litre of water. Dab – don’t rub or brush – the stain, so that you blot up the offending material without pushing it further into the pile.

Some types of water soluble stains need special treatment. These include blood, chocolate and coffee. On a synthetic carpet try one tablespoon of ammonia mixed with a cup of water (but not on wool or wool-blend fibres). To clean wool or wool blend fibres, use one teaspoon of mild, non-alkali detergent with one cup or cold water.

Depending on usage, carpet should be professionally steam cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Oily, sticky soil and well-settled soil that vacuums don’t remove causes gradual but significant dulling of colours. To remove and revitalize your carpet, use hot water extraction cleaning (steam cleaning). Steam cleaning should only be undertaken by a professional carpet cleaner. This means they are a member of a professional association, in accordance with Australian/New Zealand Standard S3733:1995. Shampooing, do-it-yourself steam cleaning or dry cleaning is not recommended.

Carpet is not completely stain-proof, however, the natural resistance of wool fibres provides you with time to act. Liquids stay on top of the pile for a while, before seeping into the base of the pile and backing. To ensure best results from spot cleaning, follow your carpet manufacturers recommendations.