Life is full of tumbles and spills — figuratively and literally.

For emotional tumbles you need some coping skills, and for carpet spills you need a few basic cleaning supplies, coupled with the know-how of when to use what.

Quick thinking

The No. 1 best tip for carpet care is to clean up spills before they have a chance to set. In general:

• Use the blunt edge of a spoon to scrape the edge of the spill toward the middle
• Use plain white paper towels — not printed
• Wet the paper towel with the proper cleaning agent
• Dab at the spill
• Do not soak the carpet
• Do not rub the carpet
• Place a half-inch thick layer of paper towels on the spill with a heavy weight on top of it to let it dry.

1. Detergent: Mix 1/2-teaspoon clear dishwashing detergent with one cup of warm (not hot) water.

2. Presoak solution: Mix 1-teaspoon enzyme laundry detergent (such as Axion, Biz, or others) with one cup of water.

3. Dry powder cleaner: Use powdered carpet cleaners.

4. Dry cleaning solvent: Nonoily, noncaustic type sold as spot removal for garments. Use caution, this may be flammable.

You can get a stain first aid app for smartphones from Giant Carpet One for emergency problems with spills and stains. Right now here are some of the more common treatments.

Artificially colored juices, Kool-Aid or soda

Step 1: Scrape or blot up excess spill

Step 2: Apply dry baking soda

Step 3: Scrape and vacuum

Step 4: Apply water using a damp sponge to rinse remaining baking soda. Don't soak

Step 5: Blot — don't rub

Step 6: Apply presoak solution using a damp towel

Step 7: Rinse with water as above

Step 8: Blot — don't rub. Dry well

Step 9: Apply dry powder cleaner

Step 10: Vacuum

Mixed drinks

Step 1: Scrape or blot up excess spill

Step 2: Apply detergent solution, use damp towel and leave 3-5 minutes

Step 3: Blot — don't rub

Step 4: Apply white undiluted vinegar, using a damp towel

Step 5: Apply water with damp sponge

Step 6: Blot again. Finish by weighing down a half-inch thick pad of white paper towels to absorb all the moisture. Leave overnight if necessary.

Nail polish

Step 1: Apply nail polish remover (nonoily type) using cotton swabs to apply to the spill. Don't wet through to carpet backing.

Step 2: Pick up softened materials — use clean white paper towel and push toward the center of the spill to avoid spreading.

Step 3: Repeat above, soften and carefully remove a layer of the spill each time. Haste may spread the stain and/or damage the carpet.

Paint

Step 1: Scrape or blot up excess spill

Step 2: Apply detergent solution using damp towel

Step 3: Blot — don't rub

Step 4: Apply white undiluted vinegar, using a damp towel

Step 5: Blot — don't rub

Step 6: Apply water with damp sponge

Step 7: Blot again. Finish by weighing down a half-inch thick pad of white paper towels to absorb all the moisture. Leave overnight if necessary.

Chewing gum

Step 1: Apply a dry cleaning solvent, using a damp towel

Step 2: Blot — don't rub

Step 3: Repeat solvent application as above

Step 4: Blot — don't rub

Step 5: Apply water with damp towel

Step 6: Blot again. Finish by weighing down a half-inch thick pad of white paper towels to absorb all the moisture. Leave overnight if necessary.

Step 7: Rinse with water as above

Step 8: Blot — don't rub. Dry well

Step 9: Apply dry powder cleaner

Step 10: Vacuum

Depending on the spill you may want to consider using certified professional cleaners for spot cleaning extraction. If you are willing to tackle the spill yourself check out Giant Carpet One's chart — it may even have some suggestions for the unknown stain and can keep your carpets looking good for years to come.

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