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In all cases — washable fabrics, dry-clean garments, or carpet — immediately scrape away as much spilled ketchup as possible with an ordinary spoon or butter knife, being careful not to grind the condiment into the fibers. Scrape it onto a piece of cardboard or a dustpan.

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• For washable clothing: Mix a couple of drops of hand dishwashing liquid in a few ounces of cold water and apply it to the spot. Jeff Bredenberg, editor of "Clean it Fast, Clean it Right," recommends tapping the treated spot with the back of a spoon to work the detergent solution into the fibers. “Don’t rub the fabric together; that will abrade the fibers,” says Bredenberg. Immediately wash the garment.
  
  If that doesn’t take out the stain, try the following:
  
  • Rinse out the detergent solution completely, then treat the same way using a teaspoon (5 ml) of vinegar in 4 ounces (120 ml) of water. Wash immediately.
  
  • If the stain is still there, rinse completely and treat as before with a liquid laundry detergent, or make a paste out of powdered laundry detergent. Laundry pre-treatment products such as Biz and Shout also contain enzymes. Wash immediately.
  
  Soak the garment in plain water if immediate washing by hand or machine isn’t practical.
  

• Dry-clean-only fabrics: Treat the spot with K2r or Carbona, or take it right away to a professional dry cleaner. Read all label instructions before starting. Spot-cleaning products for such clothing are solvents that should be used in a well-ventilated area while wearing protective gloves.
  
  
• Carpeting: Treat with the same dishwashing liquid solution as washable clothing. Blot the stain with paper towels or a clean, white cloth, then rinse by blotting with clean water. If that doesn’t work, try blotting with a solution containing 1 ounce (30 ml) of ammonia per cup (240 ml) of tepid water. Then rinse by blotting, using clear water. Do not use laundry detergents, which can bleach carpet dyes, and avoid scrubbing with the cloth, which can damage the fibers.
  
  Carpet rinsing is best accomplished by pulling clear water through the fibers using a spray and vacuum device. A hand held spray bottle and a wet-dry shop vacuum will do the job.