• Red wine is one of the worst carpet stains to remove.stain - splat image by angelo.gi from Fotolia.com
  
  Imagine you throw a fabulous party. Candles line the room for ambiance, wine and hors d’oeuvres are served with music lilting in the background to be followed by an espresso dessert drink. While this scenario may be enchanting, it also presents the possibility for some of the worst carpet stains that will leave you blotting and rinsing long after the guests have left.
  
  

Red Wine and Coffee

• Red wine and coffee tie for one of the worst carpet stains as they are acidic and deeply colored, which will stain light-colored carpet terribly. Cleaning up a spill immediately is the ideal because if allowed to set in, the stain will be one of the most difficult to get out. Pour cold water or club soda over the area of the stain and gently blot up the liquid with a clean cloth. Repeat this until the stain no longer remains. If the stain is still present, use a paste made of borax or baking soda to rub the stain out. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and blot up the liquid until dry.
  
  

Blood

• While no one wishes for injury in the home, it does happen and blood may get on the carpet. Since blood is thick and protein based, removing it from the carpet is usually no easy task. Spoon up as much of the blood off the carpet as possible before blotting the stain with a mixture of cold water and enzyme laundry detergent. Blot it dry with a clean cloth. If some of the stain is still present, blot hydrogen peroxide with a sponge on the stain and blot-rinse with cold water.
  
  

Wax and Oil

• Lipsticks, candle wax and motor oil all fall into this category of the worst carpet stains. The oil in these types of stains bonds to the carpet and enhances its staining effect. To treat oil- and wax-based stains, blot up as much of the stain as possible. “The Worse-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Life” recommends using shaving cream on the stain, working the shaving cream into the stain with an old toothbrush. Wipe away the cream and sponge-blot the stain with cold water to rinse.
  
  

Bleach

• Bleach is a fast-acting stain that can permanently ruin carpet if not treated immediately. Neutralize the acid of the bleach as much as possible with sponge blotting the area with cold water and treating it with a baking soda-water paste. Scrub the paste into the bleach stain with an old toothbrush and allow the area to air dry. Vacuum up the baking soda and repeat if necessary.