Spills on new furniture and carpets can be worrisome. Kids and pets also can do their fair share to contribute to that worry.

Here are some tips for removing some common stains from carpets and upholstery.

First, some general tips: 1) Always test cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous part of the carpet or upholstery before applying to a large area. 2) Use a white cloth rather than a colored one to prevent dyes from coming off. Don't rub. 3) Keep rotating the cloth so you are using a clean, dry section to pick up the stain when you blot. 4) If using a brush, always brush from the outer edges of the stain to the inward to prevent stain from spreading.

Blood - Blot the blood with an absorbent cloth. Be careful not to spread the stain. Work a small amount of mild detergent directly on the stain with a toothbrush or small brush. Blot the area with a clean, dry, white cloth. Pour a small amount of ammonia on the stain. Allow the ammonia to sit for several minutes to break up the stain. Again, blot the area with a clean, dry, white cloth. Once again apply a small amount of detergent directly on the stain. Again, blot the area with a clean, dry, white cloth. Rinse the area by applying a small amount of clean water. NOTE: Dried blood may take several washings before it all comes out.

Beer - Apply a small amount of mild liquid detergent directly to the stain. Blot with a dry, white cloth. Saturate the stain area with ammonia. Blot again with the cloth. Then saturate the stain area with white vinegar. Blot again with the cloth. Apply a little more liquid detergent to the stain. Blot again with a clean, dry cloth. Saturate one last time with clear water. Blot one last time.

Candy - Pull off as much candy as you can with your fingers or scrape it up with a flat-edged, non-serrated knife. Apply a small amount of mild liquid detergent directly to the stain. Blot with a dry, white cloth. Saturate the stain with white vinegar. Blot again with the cloth. Apply a little more liquid detergent to the stain. Once again, blot with a dry, clean cloth. Saturate the area with clean water. Blot one last time until the carpet or upholstery is dry.

Cosmetics - Pour dry cleaning fluid* over the stain. Blot with a dry, white cloth. Apply a small amount of mild liquid detergent to the stain. Blot again with cloth. Saturate the stain with clear water. Blot with cloth. Pour a small amount of ammonia on the stain. Blot again with cloth. Apply a little more liquid detergent. Blot again with the cloth. Saturate the area with water. Blot one last time.

Crayon - Scrape off excess crayon wax with a butter knife or other non-serrated knife. Place a single layer of a brown paper bag over the stain. Heat an iron to its hottest setting. Move the hot iron back and forth rapidly over the stain. Replace the paper bag when it becomes saturated with crayon. Repeat as many times as necessary until you've ironed up as much crayon as possible. Pour dry cleaning fluid* over the remaining stain. Blot with a dry, white cloth. Apply a small amount of mild liquid detergent to the spot. Blot again. Flood the stain with water. Blot again. Pour a small amount of ammonia on the stain. Blot again. Apply a little more liquid detergent. Blot again. Saturate the area with water. Blot one last time.

Ink - Saturate the ink stain with hair spray. Allow the stain to fully dry. Mix a solution of one part water to one part white vinegar. Pour the solution on the stain. Brush the area lightly with a medium-bristle brush, preferably a toothbrush. Continue brushing until the stain is gone. Blot the area with a dry, clean cloth. Flood the area with water. Blot again. Allow to dry.

Mud - This technique will work on either dry or wet mud stains. Apply a small amount of mild liquid detergent to the stain. Blot the stain with a dry, white cloth. Flood the area with white vinegar. Blot again. Apply a little more liquid detergent to the stain. Saturate the area with water. Blot one last time.

Soft Drinks - Apply a small amount of mild liquid detergent directly to the stain. Blot the stain with a dry, white cloth. Flood the stain with ammonia, and blot again with the dry, white cloth. Saturate the stain with white vinegar. Blot again. Apply a little more mild detergent to the stain and blot. Saturate the area with water and blot one last time.

Vomit - Remove as much of the vomit as possible from the carpet or upholstery without spreading the mess. Pour dry cleaning fluid*over the stain. Blot the stain with a dry, white cloth. Apply a small amount of mild detergent to the stain. Blot again with the cloth. Flood the stain with water. Blot again with the cloth. Pour a small amount of ammonia over the stain. Blot again. Apply a little more detergent to the stain. Blot again. Saturate the area with water. Blot one last time.

Cat Urine on Carpet - If the stain has already dried, dilute it with water before beginning these steps. (You may want to wear rubber gloves.) If it is a new stain, blot it with paper towels. Lay a large amount of paper towels on the stain. Apply gentle pressure to the stain by stepping on the paper towels. Replace stained paper towels with fresh ones. Stand on paper towels again to increase pressure. Remove towels. Apply a specialized stain- and odor-removing bacteria/enzyme cleaner. Apply carpet shampoo. Rinse with warm water.

Cat Urine on Upholstery - Blot immediately with paper towels, absorbing as much fluid as possible. Sponge stain with cold water. Blot again with paper towels. Mix a solution of 1 tbsp. white vinegar and 2 cups warm water. Dab vinegar and water solution on the stain. Apply a specialized stain- and odor-removing bacteria/enzyme cleaner. If the urine odor persists, follow the manufacturer's directions.

Cat Urine on Hardwood Floors - Cat urine and hardwood floors don't go well together. If you can catch the problem while it's still "fresh" you will be better off. Blot the urine with paper towels. Wash affected area several times with white vinegar. Rinse stain thoroughly with warm water. Blot stain area until dry with paper towels. Apply a specialized stain- and odor-removing bacteria/enzyme cleaner. (You may want to wear rubber gloves.) Old, dried stains may be difficult to remove. As a last resort, try sanding away the stain and resealing the wood.

Ink on a Leather Sofa - Leather is almost maintenance-free, but ink from a ballpoint pen can be hard to remove. Work on removing the stain as soon as you discover it. Dried ink is especially hard to get out unless you act quickly. Blot the stain with a soft, dry cloth or cotton ball. Moisten another cloth and clean lightly with circular movements. Dry the surface with a soft cloth. Apply a little saddle soap or another leather cleaner (but first read the label regarding its safety for use on your particular kind of leather). You may also try removing the stain with lukewarm water and shampoo. You may want to contact the manufacturer for a remedy for the type of ink. The company may sell its own solvent. Another tip recommends treating ink stains with milk or tomato. Cover the stain with a little milk. Or rub it with the cut side of a half of tomato. Rinse either treatment well. NOTE: Avoid any kind of cleaner or detergent, unless it is specifically recommended for the particular leather you have.

*Dry cleaning fluid can be purchased at home supply stores or the dry cleaners.

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