QUESTION: I live in a townhouse where the grounds are maintained by the association. I was surprised to see a green cart and a blue cart put in front of my garage recently. I do not have any green waste to take out, and a recycling center is less than a mile away. What do I do with these containers? I do not have the place to store them.

ANSWER: You have the option of returning them.

“;However, we do discourage it because the carts are for the address,”; not the tenant, said Markus Owens, spokesman for the city Department of Environmental Services.

In other words, if you move, the carts stay.

Call the city's recycling office at 768-3201 and ask to speak to a recycling specialist about returning the carts.

STAIN, BE GONE

We received many suggestions after a “;Kokua Line”; reader asked for help in removing a red dirt stain from his vinyl tile (hsblinks.com/23r). Thank you to all who offered their helpful tips, among them:

» For a similar problem, I used a commercial floor stripper and cleaned the wax off using a Scotch-Brite pad and re-waxed the floor. The dirt was embedded in the wax, and when removed and replaced, the stain went away. You can find these products at any janitorial supply shop. — Henry Rapoport

» Use the product called Awesome, which you can find at Longs Drugs. It worked wonders for me on my stove and floors. — April

» After reading your article, I was surprised NOT to see the best product listed for red dirt stain, which is 409. If used as the first stain fighter, it works very well. By using another product first, such as bleach, the stain might be “;set”; and more difficult to get out 100 percent. It also sounds like the top coating on the tile might be affected, which, under normal circumstances, prevents stains from being absorbed into the tile itself. However, spray 409 directly on the stain, let it soak a few minutes, then, carefully scrub in several directions with a non-scratching (Scotch-Brite) Dobie pad or Japanese washcloth. Repeat the treatment, if you see the stain diminishing. Good luck! — Caroline Ross, red dirt fighter for 25+ years

» Is the dirt red because of iron in the soil? Try CLR (for calcium, lime and rust). — Shirley

» I suggest mixing 50 percent hydrogen peroxide and 50 percent water. Spot-test a section of the tile by spraying the solution and letting it sit for a day. Then use a netted sponge and rub softly. I bet this will work and the tile won't be damaged. For red dirt, two or three treatments may be required, and I'm certain the tile can be restored to look like new. — Lee Michimoto

» Try using vinegar — pour it on and let it sit overnight. The stains come out. — Barbara

» Try using denture cream. It is a mild abrasive and penetrates the stain. — Mike

» For a home remedy, sprinkle baking soda on the stain and spray lightly with hydrogen peroxide in a small spray bottle. Scrub a bit and have paper towels handy to remove the red dirt. Second suggestion: “;Mr. Clean Magic Erasers,”; stocked near kitchen sponges at Longs and other stores. Just wet an “;eraser”; and rub the stain lightly. Check to see whether any stain is being transferred to the “;eraser.”; If so, you're in luck. Rinse the “;eraser”; now and then with running water and continue to lift off the stain. — Karen

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