Something has just spilled on your favourite rug or carpet. There's a stain forming.

You're worried. Will you be able to remove it? Will the stain set and stay forever?

Luckily, there's a good chance you can completely lift just about any kind of stain –

if you follow a few guidelines. The first rule of stain removal is: act fast. The

fresher the stain, the easier it is to lift. So when you notice a stain of any kind,

start to work on it right away. Don't wait. Begin by trying to dry blot the stain.

Avoid the temptation of using a wet cloth or detergent, at least at this stage of

the game. Blot the stain gently with a clean, dry cloth or absorbent paper towel.

Be patient. It may take several minutes before you see any results. If dry blotting

doesn't completely lift the stain, mix up a combination of one glass of water with

one teaspoon of lemon juice. Again, take a clean cloth or paper towel, wet it with

the water/lemon mixture, and gently blot the area (test on an inconspicuous area

first). Wait five minutes, then try dry blotting again. You may have to repeat the

above process a few times. Using a vacuum cleaner directly over the affected area

can also help lift more of the stain. If, after all your efforts, some of the stain is

still there, place a couple of sheets of paper towel over the stain, with a few books

on top to maintain pressure. Leave those there for 24 hours. Check every hour or

so. If you see stain on the paper towels, you know it's working. If all else fails,

consider calling in a professional cleaner. They know all the tricks and can often

consider calling in a professional cleaner. They know all the tricks and can often

Hiring the right moving company

How do you select the best moving company for your needs?

• Ask for recommendations from friends other professionals in the local real estate

industry.

• Beware of fly-by-night operations. They may seem like a bargain, but you get

what you pay for.

• Does the company provide you with a written estimate and contract? (Beware of

movers that just give you a price over the phone.)

Finally, always ask what circumstances would result in extra charges being applied.

The number one complaint received about movers by the Better Business Bureau is

unexpected extra charges.