Carpet cleaners are a wonderful way to remove stains and clean carpet tiles, but they can also be a headache (and eye sore) if the cleaner discolors the carpet tiles.

Well, carpet cleaning involves cleaning carpets made of wool or another natural fiber, while upholstery cleaning refers to cleaning a piece of furniture's fabric. Upholstery is primarily made of synthetic materials, such as polyester, nylon, or acrylic.

In a bowl or small bucket, mix one part white vinegar with three parts water. Dip the bristles of the scrub brush into the solution and rub them into the carpet. Massage them into the fibers well (without fully saturating the carpet) and follow up with a cloth to help blot excess moisture.

For synthetic carpets: Mix ¼ teaspoon of a translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into one cup of lukewarm water. For natural fiber carpets: Mix one teaspoon of translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into 1 cup of lukewarm water.