Keep in mind that if you are skeptical about using it, don't ruin all of your carpet. Before you start cleaning pick a hidden spot (if you rearrange your furniture a lot then in a closet or in a corner) and test the solution. Make sure blot it dry and give it at least an hour to make sure there was no discoloration to your carpet.

With so many opinions offered, there were a few that conflicted. That means it worked for somebody and was a disaster for someone else. No one specified what kind of carpet they had, so it may have been the type of carpet that made the difference, no one knows. That makes it up to you to decide if you feel like the idea is a do or a don't.

What to avoid when spot cleaning

 If you have a wet spot, find a wet cleaner to clean it up. Powder cleaners will just make a paste and more clean up work.
 When using a soapy cleaner, make sure you rinse it well and don't let it dry in the carpet. Blot it out and keep a rag on it to soak up the excess. This will prevent a new spot or carpet mold.

Where cleaners are torn

 Opinions were given going both ways on scrubbing or brushing. Some said use bristles to get in deep and others said that bristles will ruin the carpet fibers.
 It was said that if nothing else will work that you should put a damp white cloth on the spot and then place a hot iron on top to remove the stain. Another cleaning tip was to never use heat, with a big emphasis on never.

The best ways to spot clean your carpet

 Let's start with tips for how to clean: blot outside to in to avoid spreading the spot, always use a white terry towel to blot, and if it is a dry spot then vacuum good first.
 Dish detergent (transparent was the most recommended) and water was the most recommended. Use this in a spray bottle and then get the soap out with a clean sponge.
 Club soda, corn starch, and corn meal are all great for cleaning up messes. For the powders, give them overnight to do their job.
 White vinegar was another big hit. It works great for getting out tough spots, but you have to ignore the smell for about a day. There is no need to dilute it, it works great how it is.
 Simple green diluted with water works great on carpet and upholstery spots. It works in a spray bottle and in a carpet cleaning machine too.
 Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide can work, but have a good chance of discoloring most carpets. They should be a last resort if nothing else will work.
 Nail polish remover can work if it doesn't have oil in it.
 To make sure you got the whole stain, if the spot was wet, put a couple of towels on it with some books or bricks (really anything heavy) on top to dry it clear down to the bottom.