Thursday, October 22, 2009

Care Care - Special Emergencies

SPECIAL EMERGENCIES

CRAYON STAINS
If the kids got a little too busy in the back seat, there are some quick fixes for crayon messes. First, scrape what crayon you can off the area. You can do this with a spoon, metal edged spatula or dull knife. Spray WD-40 (or similar lubricant) on the stain and wait three to five minutes. With a stiff, bristle brush, work the area around the stain and then dry with paper towel. Reapply WD-40 and add a small amount of dishwashing detergent to the stain. With a damp sponge, work the fibers until the remainder of the stain lifts. Repeat, if necessary.

ODORS

Vomit, dog smells, food and other spills can cause big odor problems. If possible, clean and remove the offending smell from your car as soon as possible. When this isn't an option, after cleaning, try absorbing the smell overnight with a bag of activated charcoal (commonly sold with fish aquariums). Open the bag and place it near the offending odor, providing a small amount of fresh air through a cracked window. The following day, if the odor is still present, repeat the process. For quicker odor removal, you can purchase a wide variety of commercial products that will do the same.

Car Care - Carpet Stains

CARPET STAINS

Whenever possible, carpet spills should be treated immediately. When cleaning shortly after a spill, blot the area with an absorbent cloth and apply a carpet cleaning solution (or mild soapy water) to the area, allow to sit briefly, re blot and dry. For tough dried on stains, begin by soaking the area with a carpet cleaner. (Mild soapy water will work, as well.) Allow the cleaning solution to penetrate into the stain and then, blot the area dry. Tough stains may need a second or third application. Note: Not all stains can be removed due to differences in fibers, dyes, constructions, composition of the stain and the length of time the stain has been left unattended. This is why it's best to treat spills immediately. Color test a discreet area before applying any chemical cleaner to your carpeting