If you're seeing spots on your carpet, you can probably make use of these simple tips for removing common carpet stains.
Tar, grease, chewing gum and wax
Remove as much as possible by gently scraping with a dull knife, then treat the stain with dry-cleaning fluid. For chewing gum, try applying ice cubes in a plastic bag to harden the gum before scraping.
Cigarette burns
Patching is necessary for complete repair, but you can mask the damage. Snip off the darkened fiber ends, then blot the area with a solution of 1 teaspoon detergent and 1 teaspoon vinegar in a quart of warm water.
Lipstick
Gently blot with a dry-cleaning solution, then rinse with a solution of 1 tablespoon ammonia in a cup of water.
Animal stains, fruit juices
If the stain is still wet, try repeatedly sponging with lukewarm water. Then, blot dry and treat with a solution of 1 teaspoon detergent and 1 teaspoon vinegar in a quart of warm water. After waiting 15 minutes, blot again and sponge with clean water.
Paint
Oil-base paints can usually be removed with turpentine. Water-base paints clean up with water.
Ink
Blot ball-point-ink with denatured alcohol as soon as possible. Permanent ink can't be removed, but you can minimize the damage by blotting with water.
For more home-and-family tips, contact Valerie Bartolone Appleseed Realty GMAC Real Estate at vbartolone@appleseedhomes.com, 718-966-4000
Valerie Bartolone
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Good suggestion...for small brown leak stains from ceiling under the bathroom where they may have been high seas during tub time with the little ones, you don't have to repaint everytime. Get some bleach, put it in a spray bottle, don't get any in your eyes or little mist dots on your clothers but apply four or five times on stain. It slowly disappears so you don't have to repaint entire ceiling!