To take care of carpet emergencies quickly, put together a carpet first-aid kit. Your kit should include such materials as club soda, white vinegar, ammonia, sponges, rags and a soft bristle brush. Always test chemicals in an inconspicuous area of the carpet before using them for cleaning. For liquid spills, blot up as much of the spill as you can. Then pour club soda on a sponge, and blot it straight up and down over the spill. Start at the outside of the stain, and work inward. Blot up any remaining moisture with a dry white rag. For old stains, mix 2 tablespoons of neutral (nonalkaline) laundry detergent with 3 tablespoons of white vinegar and a quart of lukewarm water. Use a whisk to whip the mixture into suds (figure A). Scoop some suds onto a soft brush, and scrub the stain. Try to avoid getting the carpet wet. Brush in all directions until the stain begins to come out, then blot the area dry. Place a dry rag on top of the damp area, and weigh it down with books to soak up any remaining moisture. When preparing to deep-clean a carpet, wrap plastic food wrap around chair legs, and secure the plastic with rubber bands (figure B). The plastic will prevent the carpet cleaner from damaging the legs--and keep the legs from marking the carpet.
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