You don’t have to buy expensive carpet cleaners to get the job done! Make paste using white vinegar and baking soda. Work the paste into the stain with an old toothbrush. Allow the paste to dry, then vacuum up. If the stain is dark, like chocolate or wine, just use hydrogen peroxide instead. Apply directly on the stain, let it sit until it stops fizzing, then dab with a clean rag. The best time to treat carpet stains is before they set, if possible, otherwise you may have to do these steps more than once.

For steam cleaners, instead of store-bought cleaners, add equal parts of warm water and white vinegar to fill your machine. Then clean as per the manufacturer’s instructions.