What blotting means
Place a clean, plain white absorbent cloth or unprinted white kitchen roll on the spill. Press gently, lift, and move to a clean section as liquid transfers. For carpet, work from the outside towards the centre when the specific treatment permits it.
Why rubbing can make things worse
Rubbing can push coloured liquid further into fibres, spread the affected area and roughen a fabric or carpet pile. A stain-specific method may call for controlled agitation on a compatible washable item, but that is different from scrubbing a fresh spill.
Keep changing the cloth
A saturated cloth can put liquid back into the item. Continue with clean sections until little more transfers, then follow the treatment for the exact stain and material.
Do not over-wet
More water is not automatically safer. Carpet backing, upholstery filling, wood, leather and some finishes can be damaged by excess liquid.
Evidence