DEAR SUN SPOTS: I accidentally dropped a bottle of rubber cement on the carpet. It has made a huge discoloration that the normal rug cleaner doesn’t touch. Do you have any ideas on how to dissolve this spot? Looking forward to your suggestions. — Henry Sakrison, Poland

ANSWER: Sun Spots found extensive instructions on this topic online. She doesn’t have room for it all here — not to mention the copyright issues — but here are a few tips from www.wolfeflooring.com and www.howstuffworks.com.

Both sites say rubber cement can be very difficult to remove and that your previous failed attempts may have actually further set the stain.

To begin, you will need some clean towels or absorbent pads to soak up the goo. One site says you must be careful not to let the solvent soak the backing of the carpet.

You should work from the outside of the stain toward the center, applying the solvent then pressing the towel on top, keeping the stain wet with solvent but not drenched.

The favored solvent appears to be dry cleaning fluid, such as Afta Cleaning Fluid. Wolfe Flooring also suggests other possibilities, including regular isopropyl alcohol, citrus cleaners, club soda and hydrogen peroxide diluted 3 to 1 (has a bleaching effect, so use only on light-colored carpets).

The directions at wolfeflooring.com (precise site is http://tinyurl.com/bvwd6q9) are very thorough and add helpful details Sun Spots does not have room for. She recommends you go to the library and print out those instructions before getting started.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to know if you could find out for me where I could buy SOS soap pads without the wool in them. I find that the ones with the wool in them scratches items such as stoves, fridges, etc. Thank you for your wonderful column. — T.C., Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots cannot find anything like that. Perhaps readers will know of something and recommend it.

For cleaning her stove and fridge, Sun Spots uses a spray cleaner and a sponge or rag. Many spray cleaners have a chemical in them that helps lift grease.

If you want something with the cleaner already in it, you could try disinfecting wipes such as those made by Clorox.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: A few months ago I wrote to Sun Spots asking if any women who served in the Navy could send me an emblem for WAVES, and two ladies did. My problem now is that I cannot find their names or phone numbers, so hopefully they will contact me.

I want to invite them for the Nov. 11 ceremony at Veterans Park in Lewiston for the unveiling of the 22nd stone with a WAVES emblem. — Bert Dutil, 786-2305

ANSWER: Sun Spots apologizes for not getting your letter in the column in time for this ceremony. Perhaps the WAVES can attend the next unveiling.

Sun Spots only picks up her letters once a week and types them in the order in which they arrive, so if your message is urgent, you might want to email it.

For readers who might not know, WAVES stands for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, an organizational distinction made for women during World War II but subsequently discontinued.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Oct. 6, 7 and 8, I had a garage sale at 138 Rideout Ave. in Lewiston. Some person forgot their walking cane. If you’re looking for it, call me. If I’m not home, leave a message and I’ll call you back. — Mary Ann Michaud, 782-1157

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.