Generally, it’s not a good idea to clean camel hair rugs yourself. This is especially true for rugs of great sentimental or monetary value. If you elect to clean your own camel hair rug, follow these steps at your own risk.

• Mild shampoo
• Water (garden hose works well)
• Absorbent towels

1. Choose a mild, sunny day to work outside. Find or set up something to hang the rug such as a porch railing so you can work and rinse the rug.
2. Wet the rug thoroughly. Make sure it’s hanging up so the dirt rinses free.
3. Camel hair is a natural fiber that is best cleaned with shampoo. Cleaning in small sections will allow you to gradually work through each area without having the soap dry on a previous section. Work mild shampoo into the pile, using your fingers carefully to avoid damaging the fibers.
4. Rinse frequently by spraying with a gentle pressure from the hose as you work. Continue until the entire rug has been cleaned.
5. If the rug holds a lot of water, spread it on a clean surface (an inexpensive tarp is a good solution) and press the water out. Use absorbent towels to help trap and remove the water. Do not squeeze or fold the rug.
6. After removing as much of the water as possible, allow the rug to dry completely. Do not store it until it is completely dry.

• If odor remains, you can try a fabric refresher or  ideally, have it professionally cleaned.
• Always work gently and monitor the fibers to ensure they are not coming loose or becoming damaged by the cleaning process.

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The secret to getting rid of glossy spots is to scuff them, and this method offers a super easy way to do just that. It’s safe for most surfaces, but be sure to start “small” so you don’t overdo it.

• WD-40
• Soft cloths
• Furniture cleaner/polish
• Fine Grit Sandpaper
• Damp paper towel

1. Begin by cleaning the surface using normal cleaning methods. This will allow you to work directly on the eraser residue.
2. Apply a small amount of WD-40 to the soft cloth.
3. Gently rub the surface with the soft cloth. The WD-40 will help to remove the residue left behind by the eraser.
4. Wipe the area clean with a dry soft cloth.
5. If the glossy area remains, you may need to sand it away.
6. Using a fine grit sandpaper, very lightly begin to scuff the shiny surface. Do NOT sand hard, you only want to remove the remnants of the pencil eraser, not the finish on the table.
7. Stop frequently and wipe with a soft cloth to examine the results.
8. Once the surface is sufficiently scuffed, wipe clean with a damp paper towel.
9. Once the glossy area is removed, follow up with a furniture cleaner and/or polish.

• Make sure you use fine grit sandpaper. Larger grit paper may gouge or streak the surface.

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Though removing the grease may not be too difficult, precautions need to be taken to ensure that the ceiling fabric does not come loose and sag. Here are the appropriate steps to safely remove stains from the car ceiling.

• Dawn dish soap (or other grease-fighting dish soap)
• Ammonia
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Water
• Soft cloths
• Bowls, buckets or spray bottles

1. Begin by cleaning the area with a brush or vacuum to remove any dust or dirt buildup that may be present.
2. Next, choose one of the cleaning products above. Do not mix them or use multiple products for one cleaning session.
3. Mix a small amount of soap with water. If you choose ammonia or peroxide, dilute it with one part water and one part cleaner. Test a hidden area first to ensure there is no discoloration.
4. Place the mixture into a spray bottle or small bowl/bucket.
5. Moisten a cloth lightly with the water/cleaner mixture.
6. Gently blot the stain on the ceiling.
7. Use caution not to overwet the area or it will break the glue down that holds the ceiling fabric in place.
8. Follow the wet cloth with a dry cloth to blot away excess moisture.
9. Repeat until the stain is removed.
10. Blot with clean water to rinse, followed by a dry cloth to dry.
11. Brush or vacuum the dry ceiling to restore the texture.

• Avoid spraying or soaking the ceiling directly. The saturation of liquid will cause the glue to release and the ceiling fabric will sag.
• If the stain is old, make it “fresh” again by rubbing on some petroleum jelly.
• There are commercial products designed to remove oil and grease. They are available in the automotive section.
• Baby wipes work well for quick fixes. They contain alcohol which will break down the grease and wipe it away.

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The exact method and results will vary somewhat depending on the type of wood and the ingredients of the lotion, but if you follow these simple steps you should be able to remove most lotions from unfinished wood.

You Will Need:

• 220 grit sandpaper
• Microfiber cloth

Steps to Remove the Lotion:

1. Choose a fine grit sandpaper to avoid leaving streaks or gouges in the wood.
2. Lightly sand the affected area until the lotion is gone. Change the sandpaper frequently if the lotion gunks it up to avoid spreading the mess.
3. Wipe wood dust away with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

You Will Need:

• Soft, absorbent cloth or brown paper bag
• Iron

Steps to Remove the Lotion:

Some oils can be removed from wood with heat and an absorbent material.

1. Lay the paper bag or soft cloth over the lotion residue.
2. Heat the area with a warm iron. Never use a hot iron as this can leave burn marks on the wood.
3. Keep the iron moving to avoid leaving marks.
4. As the heat penetrates the oil, it will transfer to the paper/cloth. Move the piece so a clean area covers the lotion and iron again.
5. Repeat until the lotion/oil is removed.

• Softer woods, like pine, will be easier to clean than hardwoods.
• If the lotion remains, try a Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to even out the surface before staining.

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Be careful when choosing a method for cleaning your seatbelts. Although many cleaning products might work, an unfortunate side effect occurs when they weaken the fibers of the belt, which translates into a potentially dangerous situation.  For the safest clean, choose a product designed for  use on seatbelts.

• Seat Belt Cleaner and Spot Remover
• Nylon bristle brush
• Sponge
• Water
• Bucket or bowl
• Safety goggles and gloves (recommended)

1. Shake the bottle of seat belt cleaner well before use.
2. For regular soil, dilute the cleaner with one part water to one part cleaner. For tougher jobs, use it full strength.
3. Use the sponge to apply the cleaner to the seat belt strap.
4. Wait 15 seconds.
5. Scrub the belt with the nylon brush. Watch closely to ensure you’re not damaging the fibers.
6. Rinse the sponge and apply clean water to rinse.
7. Repeat as necessary.

• To prevent water stains from appearing on the seat belt strap, ensure that the belts are evenly wet before you stop working with them. Wipe them with the wet sponge until the moisture is equally distributed over the surface.
• The product is specially formulated to break up grease, including sunscreen.
• Spot treat tough stains with the product before you begin. For best results, clean the entire seatbelt.

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E asked: A toilet flooded into a room that is carpeted with old parquet underneath. The carpet isn’t glued to the parquet, so I raised it and placed items underneath to allow air to circulate under it and over the floor. I mopped up all the water I possibly could. Now, the floor appears to be mostly dry, but there are areas where the wet carpet is still touching it. Will there be any damage to the floor? I don’t know what sort of material is underneath the parquet. I’m worried because I rent this place.

Parquet is made of wood, and when wood floors get wet, they can become damaged. There are two major concerns in this situation: warping and mold. While there is a coating on the flooring, it cannot withstand large amounts of water. After mopping up excess water, bring in fans and dehumidifiers to help remove the moisture quickly. Moving air will dry the surfaces faster. Once the surface is dry, continue to run the fans and expose the floor to open air to allow any water that has soaked into the cracks to evaporate. While there may not be enough water to swell and warp the wood, there is enough moisture for mold to grow. If you cover the flooring with the carpet too soon, it provides the perfect dark, damp conditions for mold and mildew. If the carpet is not glued down and can be removed from the house completely, that would be the best plan. Take it outside for a day or two and keep the fans going inside. This will give the floor a chance to dry and the carpet can be brought back in once it’s dry. If the floor shows no damage, it will not likely warp or swell after the moisture is removed. However, always keep an eye out for mold and mildew growth. This will appear as black spots and growth in the cracks between the flooring pieces. Treat any mold immediately with a mild bleach and water solution.

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Plasma screens are made of sensitive materials. While they may look like ordinary screens, they cannot tolerate the cleaning methods used on ordinary screens (unless the screen is covered with a sheet of glass). It is likely that the nail polish remover has etched the screen and caused it to blur. While this cannot be undone, the condition may be improved with a proper cleaning using a plasma cleaning kit. For instructions on cleaning plasma screens, see our guide How to Clean Your Television Screen.

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A dark black ring around the neck is a common symptom of a medical condition called Acanthosis Nigricans. It’s most common in persons with poor diets (particularly those consuming too much starch and sugar), elevated insulin levels, diabetes, or obesity. There are treatments to improve the appearance of the condition but they must be prescribed by a doctor. It’s important that you schedule an appointment with a physician as soon as possible.

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When your feathered friends leaves a mess around the house, use this solution to rid the carpet of those nasty stains.

• Handwashing dish detergent
• White vinegar
• Water
• Soft cloths
• Bucket or spray bottle
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Ammonia
• Eye dropper

1. Begin by mixing two cups of warm water with one tablespoon of soap and one tablespoon vinegar in a bowl, bucket or spray bottle.
2. Spray the affected area with the solution or blot it on with a soft cloth.
3. Blot with a clean cloth. You will begin to see the stain transfer from the carpet to the cloth.
4. Turn the cloth as needed to keep a clean work surface.
5. Continue applying the solution and blotting until the stain is removed or no more transfers to the cloth.
6. If some stain remains, carefully apply some hydrogen peroxide to the stain only with an eye dropper. Use caution as this can bleach some carpets. If you are unsure, test a hidden area first.
7. Follow the peroxide with a few drops of ammonia.
8. Blot the stain with a cloth moistened with cold water.
9. Continue to blot until the stain is removed, along with the peroxide and ammonia.
10. Blot the area with a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture.
11. Allow the area to air dry completely.

• If the bird has eaten berries, treat the poop stains the same you would as berry stains.
• Poop-Off Bird Poop Remover is a commercial cleaning product that is available in several forms (spray, wipes, pump). It is safe to use on any washable surface. Test a small area first to ensure there are no unwanted effects to the carpet color or texture.

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Dryer sheets leave a film on the lint screen that can lead to problems with your dryer. This film blocks the air flow, which means the dryer has to use more energy and the heating unit is more likely to burn out sooner. Keeping the dryer lint screen clean will keep it working well and nearly double the life of the dryer. If you’ve tried cleaning with no success, you may just need to tweak your approach. Try this method to keep your dryer working at top performance.

• Dish soap
• Old toothbrush or nylon scrubbing brush
• Hot water
• Sink, tub or bucket
• Soft towel

1. Begin by filling a sink, tub or bucket with hot water. Whichever you choose, it should be large enough to allow the trap to soak.
2. Add a good amount of soap and agitate the water to mix.
3. Remove any loose lint from the lint trap. Wipe it with your hand or use a vacuum with attachments to remove it.
4. Place the lint trap into the hot water and allow it to soak.
5. Use the scrubbing brush to remove the loosened residue.
6. Rinse frequently to evaluate how much of the residue remains.
7. Continue soaking and scrubbing until the film is removed.
8. Rinse completely with clean water.
9. Dry the screen carefully with a soft towel.
10. Allow it to air dry completely before placing it back into the dryer.

• Dryer sheets are known for causing increased clogging on the lint screen. Clean it once every 6-8 weeks for best performance. If using liquid fabric softener, clean the screen 2-3 times a year.
• Clean the lint screen after each load of laundry.
• Remove all loose lint from the lint trap and ducts several times a year. This keeps your dryer in good working order and will help prevent fires.

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