By: Ted Camp, Silent Word Ministries

Consumer Reports... How to clean carpets. “In cleaning carpets be aware that shampoos and even plain water can temporarily or permanently alter the size and color of carpeting. When you use any water-based treatment, avoid over wetting. Never allow water to penetrate to the back of the carpet. The backing can be damaged and the color may bleed through to the floor. When seeking to remove stains you should blot and not scrub.

How to remove some stains: Inks use rubbing alcohol. Battery acid use baking soda. Chewing gum use Ben Gay, extra strength. Light stains use laundry detergent. Lipstick, shoe polish and candle wax use POG (paint, oil, grease removal). pet odors use enzyme-based.

Tar and rubber cement use petroleum jelly or diluted white vinegar. Fresh blood use cold water. Dried blood blot with peroxide then enzyme detergent. Butter or cheese scrape off excess, blot with cleaning solvent. Caulk scrape then blot with detergent solution.

Crayon/Play-Doh scrape then spray with WD-40 and let remain for a few minutes. Then use a small bristle brush to dissolve. Respray with WD-40 and apply detergent solution to spray area. Work again with brush and blot then rinse. Dirt/mud allow to dry.

Use a brush or vacuum then wash with detergent solution, then rinse. Dried paint try a POG. Heel marks just wipe off with an all-purpose cleaner. Candy, coffee, tea, cola, juices, ketchup blot with detergent solution. If stains remains try vinegar solution.”

The Bible Reports … How to cleanse and remove sin. “And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:7). Jesus was the Lamb of God Who was sacrificed to take away sin. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away (cleanses) the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

This is the first time that sin was removed. In the past sin was covered in atonement for one year. “What can take away my sin...nothing but the blood of Jesus.” When you receive Christ He cleanses your sin and changes your life (II Cor. 5:17). It works! I tried it when I was 23 years old and it worked for me!

Ted Camp is director of Silent Word Ministries, a worldwide ministry to the deaf based in Trenton. E-mail him at TC@silentword.org to be added to the email list for weekly articles or phone (706) 657-8000.