Because Some of You Want to Know ...

A couple of people have asked me how to clean your carpets after an "incident."  Well, ask and you shall receive.

First, here are some general rules about spot cleaning carpets:

• Most modern carpets have been treated to render them "stain resistant."  While this does not make them stain proof, most spills can be removed if you act quickly.  Especially with things like children's juices and drinks, you may only have minutes.
• Do not scrub the stained area - that can cause "pile distortion" (which in normal words, means that your carpet will start to come unraveled and fray).  
• If you use wet cleaners make sure you blot it until dry so that the foam beneath the carpet doesn't get ruined. 
• If the spill is something that creates a dry mass, scrap off as much as possible using the side of a spoon or a blunt spatula.  For waxes, gums and things like that, use an ice cube to freeze it (thus hardening it) before you scrap it.  

And now on to the fun stuff:

1. Remove as much vomit as possible from the floor with a wet cloth.
2. First method of attack: Vinegar.  Sprinkle it on the carpet and blot it up.  You can repeat this process until clean, or if you feel like it's not working, move onto the second method.
3. Ammonia.  Again, sprinkle and blot
4. Third product:  a mild detergent.  
5. Fourth:  an enzyme-containing detergent.  

Presto - clean carpet!  If you get through all these steps and you feel that the carpet is clean, but still "smelly" you can sprinkle baking powder on it, let it sit for a few hours or overnight and then vacuum it up.  

Enjoy clean carpets!