If you just had new carpeting installed in your home, you want to protect your investment. That means making sure it stays clean and stain-free. Common, everyday mishaps can destroy your new carpeting. Not to worry. Here are some quick tips that will help you clean up spills and mishaps before they have a chance to ruin your carpet.

Red Wine

The holidays are coming. If you're planning on throwing a party, chances are that someone is going to spill their wine. It doesn't have to be a disaster. Just follow these simple instructions to make clean-up a breeze.

Supplies You'll Need

• Plastic spray bottle
• Liquid laundry detergent
• Water
• Distilled vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Absorbent paper towels
• Clean white cloth

Directions

1. Fill the plastic spray bottle with water.
2. Add 3 teaspoons each of the liquid laundry detergent and vinegar.
3. Add 2 teaspoons lemon juice.
4. Carefully blot the spill with paper towels to remove as much of the wine as possible.
5. Spray the spot with your cleaning solution. Be sure to thoroughly saturate the entire spot.
6. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes.
7. Blot the area firmly with your clean cloth.
8. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.

Muddy Footprints

If you have kids, they're probably going to track mud onto your new carpeting at least once. The trick is to get to the mud before it dries into the carpet fibers. Here are some simple steps you can take to get the mud out of your carpet.

Supplies You'll Need

• Bucket
• Warm water
• Dish detergent – grease cutting formula works best
• Plastic spray bottle
• Peroxide
• Soft cloth

Directions

1. Pour 1 gallon of warm water into a bucket.
2. Add 4 tablespoons of dish detergent.
3. Soak your cloth in the cleaning solution and then wring it out well.
4. Blot the mud stains with the cloth.
5. Continue blotting the area until the mud is removed.
6. Rinse the cloth out as necessary to avoid smearing the stain.
7. Fill your spray bottle with cold water and add ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide.
8. Spray the entire area with the peroxide and water solution.
9. Allow the solution to sit for about five minutes.
10. Blot the area with your clean cloth.
11. Repeat the process as necessary.

Permanent Markers

If your carpets have accidentally come in contact with permanent markers, you'll have to act fast. With the simple tips provided below, you can safely remove the marks before they leave a permanent stain.

Supplies You'll Need

• Hairspray—any brand
• Rubbing alcohol
• Paper towels

Directions

1. Saturate the marker stains with hairspray and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes.
2. Use your paper towels to blot the area.
3. Apply another layer of hair spray.
4. Continue blotting and spraying until most of the stain is gone.
5. Pour a capful of rubbing alcohol onto the stain.
6. Work the rubbing alcohol into the carpet fibers using your fingers.
7. Blot the area with paper towels and let dry.

You want to keep your carpet looking brand new for as long as possible. The cleaning tips provided above will help you take care of minor mishaps before they become permanent stains.