The carpet and the fibers in the carpet act like wicks. The liquid spilled over the fibers will creep up to the tips of the fibers as they dry. You can also mix 2 cups of water with a tablespoon of vinegar and dish soap. This can work for harder water-soluble stains, such as juice or food coloring.
Whether you're treating the stain or just using water, working from the outside in can make the stain bigger. Even carpets that aren't stained contain dust, dirt, and bacteria that routine vacuuming can't completely remove. Instead of trying to remove a stain on your own, it's a good decision to contact a trusted professional carpet cleaning service that knows how to remove stains safely. You might think that an old carpet stain would be easier to clean than an old one, but it's actually quite the opposite. Always make sure to dry on your own and never scrub the area, as it can force the stain to penetrate the fibers instead of removing it.
When water-soluble stains are protein-based, heat or acid can darken them, making them more likely to become stains. It is also essential to know the type of materials the carpet is made of so that attempts to remove stains do not cause further damage. An effective treatment for one type of stain may not affect or, worse, have a detrimental effect on other types of spots.
