turps | (no subject)

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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.)

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.