This invention relates to an improvement in spill resistant carpets wherein a spill resistant coating is applied to the underside of the carpet. The improvement for enhancing the spill resistance of the carpet comprises use of the following polymer as the spill resistant coating: an ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer comprised of crystalline ethylene segments prepared by the aqueous emulsion polymerization of ethylene and vinyl acetate in the presence of a stabilizing system, said ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer having a crystalline melting point ranging from 35 to 110.degree. C. measured at a heat rate of 20.degree. C. per minute; and, a tensile storage modulus of at least 1.times.10.sup.5 dynes/cm.sup.2 at a temperature of 115.degree. C. and measured at 6.28 rad/sec.