READER LETTER OF THE WEEK

Dear Wendyl

My husband recently managed to tramp some hot tar into our carpet. With the recent hot weather, he hadn’t realised some had melted onto his boots. So far, I’ve just looked at it in despair, but then I thought you might have some ideas for getting rid of it? Here’s hoping!

Irene

Hi Irene, I think tar on carpet must have been quite common in the old days because I have not one, but four suggestions gleaned from my old books for you. First, try dabbing on eucalyptus oil to dissolve the tar, then wash off. Another one is combining ¼ cup

white vinegar with ½ tsp

linseed oil, then rub on the tar spot. But I have a feeling this wouldn’t be too good on carpet and more useful for a floor. Another suggestion is dissolving ¼ cup washing soda in 4 cups warm water. Wearing gloves, saturate a cloth with the mixture and rub off. Rinse well. Another suggestion is to use turps, which because it is obtained from pine tree resin, is technically natural. Please let me know how you get on.