Mathew Mead / the Associated Press files
A dry loaf of bread cubed and sautéed with onions and celery turns out a nice stuffing.
Question: Is there a simple way to prepare stuffing from scratch using dry bread slices?
— Samantha
Answer: Slice one loaf of dry bread pieces into cubes. In a pot sauté one chopped onion and four sticks chopped celery. Add one teaspoon poultry seasoning. Add bread and season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour in one cup of chicken broth. Bake in oven at 350 F for 30 minutes or heat in slow cooker on low for one hour.
Question: While we were away from home, a hairball from one of our elderly cats wound up on our brown jute rug. Our cat sitter rubbed the rug clean, leaving two noticeable light spots on the rug. Can we treat these spots by brushing on some brown fabric dye? Can you recommend a way to darken these spots?
— Mae
Answer: All carpet is dyed in the first place, so it is definitely a technique that will work. If not done correctly, however, it is risky business. Colour matching is a great challenge, and for best results consider hiring a professional carpet-dying service that will help you refurbish your carpet for much less money than the cost of replacement.
If you are determined to fix the carpet yourself, the first step is to find out what kind of textile your carpet is (you said jute), and whether or not your carpet is stain-resistant.
When purchasing carpet dye, consider how much dye mixture is required to cover the carpet you are refurbishing. Coverage must also be sufficient to allow the dye to bond evenly with carpet fibres. Make sure you are buying a carpet dye with a colourfast guarantee. Dyed carpets should not fade when cleaned. Also, determine the drying time and setting time. Clean the carpet before beginning, and follow all directions listed on the dye kit. Test carpet dye on a swatch of carpet (if you have one available) or on an inconspicuous area. If the stains are really small, you can try colouring the bleached areas with a brown permanent marker.
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
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