(no subject)

[turps]

For the Brits reading, do you guys know if anywhere recycles video tapes? My spare room is full of hundreds of the things. I've got full box sets of various series but the charity shops don't tend to take tapes now. Googling suggested using them for crafty stuff, but that's not about to happen. I don't have a VCR and they're just taking up space. If I can't recycle they're getting taken to the tip soon.

For everyone. Any tips on cleaning a carpet runner? It's the one we keep in the kitchen and it's filthy with muck that Tex tracks in. It's far too big to fit in the washer so I suspect I'm going to have to take it outside for a good scrub. But with what? Detergent? Can I just leave it out there and hope the gnomes take pity and clean it for me?

Comments

[chalcopyrite]

I've had good luck taking things outside, getting them wet, and then -- yeah, detergent/laundry liquid and a scrub brush, and rinse them with a hose until gunk stops coming out. But mine are pretty small -- if this is a big job, it might be worth seeing how much a steam cleaner would cost to rent. I think a lot of places do three-hour rentals. (That way might also leave you with less soggy carpet to get dry before you bring it back in.)

[turps]

Well the runner is about six foot long so it's not that long. If it's sunny tomorrow I'm going to take it outside and attack it with the brush and hose. If that doesn't work I'll move on to the steam cleaner.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[turlough]

I don't know what's the case in Sweden in general but here where I live video tapes aren't exactly recycled, they're burnt at the local power plant (just like Christmas trees for example).

I was going to suggest the same thing as Jenny did, though I wouldn't have thought of hiring a steam cleaner. That's an excellent idea and one I'll try to remember and tell my sister about.

[turps]

Burning them makes sense. I just really don't want to dump them if I can avoid it. Then the cases will be around forever and the tape always gets everywhere.

I'm going to go with the brush/water/detergent route for the runner as it's not excessively big. If it were I'd go for the steam cleaner though.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

I need to find where to recycle my own video tapes too! They're all in boxes in my parents' basement but I know my dad would love to see them go. Except I'm not sure where... need to investigate too!

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's a problem. You can't see the spare room floor for them and they really need to go, but I don't want to just chuck them away. Especially the box sets.

[nopseud]

The British Heart Foundation took all of our old tapes. I'd just phone around the local shops until you find one that will take them.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

That's good to know. The ones in town said no but I'm sure there's a British Heart Foundation in Sunderland. I'll phone and ask them.

Thank you.

[madambeetroot.livejournal.com]

That's odd - all the charity shops near me take videos. Possibly it was just one shop, and if you try somewhere else they will?

[turps33.livejournal.com]

You'd think they would take them but the ones in my town won't. It was suggested I try shelters or OAP homes so I'm going to give that a try. If that doesn't work out I'll ask at other charity shops as it seems my local ones may have different policies.

[msktrnanny.livejournal.com]

try looking into local shelters and homes for the aged, as you folk call them, those are popular places for VCR tapes here. And anything kid can go to local childcare places. Good luck!

The easiest way to clean the runner is take it outside and give it a good beating, then scrubbing. Less free, dry cleaner.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

That's a really good idea. I'm going to look those up and see what they say. I'd much rather they went to a place where they'd actually get used.

I'm going for the beating then scrubbing route first. Hopefully that'll get it looking decent again. I don't what I was thinking it would fit in the washer. I rolled the thing up and it's far too big. So much for the easy option.

[ephemera.livejournal.com]

If you have historical dramas and such like thing, Corey's school might be interested? Freecycle? A box outside with a 'take me - free' sign on it?

[turps33.livejournal.com]

It's mostly X Files, Angel, stuff like that. Some calls and there's a shop that'll take them. I think the home recorded stuff is for the tip though.