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Rugs: Stain Removal Guide

Rugs: Stain Removal Guide

Rug Stain Removal Guide
  • Even with the best routine rug care and maintenance, accidents will happen. If you have children, the spilling risk is at least tripled! Whether it is water, juice, coffee, wine, a pet accident or other spill, it is crucial to remove the mess right away.
  • Always work from the outer edge of the spill towards the center so it does not spread. Use a spoon or spatula to scoop up large debris and remove excess liquid, but do not rub or scrub at the fibers -- this will cause the pile to mat and clump, and may thus increase the visibility of a potential stain.
  • Owners of even the most well-behaved cats and dogs will occasionally come across pet accidents. Often, the messes are not discovered until long after the accident occurred.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Alcoholic Beverages
    Step 1: Add cold water and blot
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Bleach:
    Step 1: Add cold water and blot
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Blood:
    Step 1: Add cold water and blot
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Butter:
    Step 1: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Candle wax:
    Step 1: Absorbent paper and hot iron
  • Cleaning Instructions for Chewing Gum:
    Step 1: Chill with aerosol freezing agent or ice cubes in a plastic bag. Pick or scrape off gum.
    Step 2: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Chocolate:
    Step 1: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
    Step 2: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Coffee:
    Step 1: Add cold water and blot
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
    Step 3: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Colas and Soft Drinks:
    Step 1: Add cold water and blot
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Cream:
    Step 1: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
    Step 2: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Egg:
    Step 1: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Floor Wax:
    Step 1: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Fruit Juice:
    Step 1: Add cold water and blot
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Furniture Polish:
    Step 1: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Gravy and Sauces:
    Step 1: Warm water
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
    Step 3: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Ink (Fountain Pen):
    Step 1: Add cold water and blot
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Ink (Ball Point):
    Step 1: Chill with aerosol freezing agent or ice cubes in a plastic bag. Pick or scrape off gum.
    Step 2: Isopropyl alcohol
    Step 3: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Ink (Felt Tip):
    Step 1: Warm water
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
    Step 3: Clean nail polish remover (preferably acetone)
  • Cleaning Instructions for Ketchup:
    Step 1: Warm water
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Lipstick:
    Step 1: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Mercurochrome:
    Step 1: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
    Step 2: Absorbent cleaner (e.g. CarpetMate)
  • Cleaning Instructions for Milk:
    Step 1: Warm water
    Step 2: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
    Step 3: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Mustard:
    Step 1: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Nail Polish:
    Step 1: Clean nail polish remover (preferably acetone)
    Step 2: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Oil and Grease:
    Step 1: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Paint(Latex):
    Step 1: Add cold water and blot
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
    Step 3: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Paint(Oil):
    Step 1: Absorbent powder (e.g., salt, or talc)
    Step 2: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
    Step 3: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Rust:
    Step 1: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
    Step 3: Rust remover
  • Cleaning Instructions for Salad Dressing:
    Step 1: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
    Step 2: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Shoe Polish:
    Step 1: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Soot:
    Step 1: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Tar:
    Step 1: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Tea:
    Step 1: Add cold water and blot
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
    Step 3: Methylated mineral spirits, or turpentine.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Urine(fresh):
    Step 1: Add cold water and blot
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Urine(old):
    Step 1: Add cold water and blot
    Step 2: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
    Step 3: Absorbent cleaner (e.g. CarpetMate)
  • Cleaning Instructions for Vomit:
    Step 1: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.
  • Cleaning Instructions for Wine:
    Step 1: Absorbent powder (e.g., salt, or talc)
    Step 2: Add cold water and blot
    Step 3: Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water.

    Proper cleaning and care of paint brushes

    Proper cleaning and care of paint brushes

    For any painting project, you will need paint brushes. Properly cleaning and care for your brushes is key.
    Whether you are planing to paint your home, or you are working on a simple wood working project, investing in good quality brushes is important. With proper care and use, your brushes will last you a good long time and help stretch your painting dollar.

    There are two characteristics of a good brush that you should be on the look out for. They include the following:
  • Bristle length will help determine the brush's elasticity. A test for elasticity is to hold the bristles slightly bent. They should hang together, not flair out. Compress the brush. It should feel full of bristles.
  • A good brush will also have split ends. The more ends that are split, the better the brush performs.
  • Be sure to precondition your brushes before use. Conditoning them helps them to accept paint and will insure a longer more useful life. To precondition, rub the ends of the bristles vigorously on a rough surface and then spin in your hands. Soften the brushes in linseed oil for 24 hours before first use.
  • If there are stray bristles, remove them with a knife or scraper.
  • When painting, use the dip-and-slab method. Slowly submerge the brush into the paint about a third of the length of the bristles, then slab off the excess on the side of the paint container. If you dip deeply into the bristles, paint will accumulate in the heel of the brush and shorten the life of the brush.
  • When finished with your brush, proper cleaning is a must. Start with turpentine, thinner or other commercial cleaner to clean away excess paint. Then use cleansing powder until the water runs clear. Wrap the brush in foil and store.
  • If you have a paint brush that has been neglected, there are ways to restore that brush. For paint buildup, soak in a paint remover for 10 minutes. Use a comb to remove jellied paint and then rinse with turpentine. Repeat until all the paint is out. After your brush is free of paint, clean with soap and water, straighten the bristles, wrap in foil, and store. For a brush that may have warped bristles, try a soaking in linseed oil, reshape, and store.
  • Using the above methods for use and cleaning of your paint brushes will greatly improve their lifespan.
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