If you have children you appreciate the incredible value that goes along with having the proper carpet and rug cleaning equipment. Of course there are always situations in which you aren't exactly certain which carpet cleaning device to use. A good rule of thumb is to first address the stain and then plan your line of attack. For the most part,the smaller the stain the smaller the proper piece of equipment will be.
Home Cures for Little Stains
If you have small stains you should try using some of the small attachments that come with most steam cleaning machines. These are designed for the sole purpose of spot cleaning and should be used in order to get the maximum effectiveness from your equipment.
Another factor to consider is how recent the stain you are cleaning is. Fresh spills are easiest to clean and should be blotted in order to remove the moisture before anything else is done. The quicker your blot,the less likely your spot will have time to set in. A word of caution however,excessive blotting can actually cause more damage to the fibers of your rug rather than the deep cleaning benefit most people assume.
If you feel you need a little something in order to get a sufficient clean you should keep a supply of baking soda,vinegar,and rubbing alcohol on hand for spot removal of stubborn rug stains. Also be sure to keep plenty of paper towels and a spray bottle on hand for these occasions. Amazingly enough,carpet and rug cleaning tools can be anything from paper towels to much more expensive commercial grade carpet cleaning machines.