A window question, and icky carpet
 

Sorry about all the threads. I just moved into an old, unclean house.

How do you get rid of all the old dirt and crap that is in window sills? I have tried everything, but these old wooden sills just don't clean out that easily. Are there any tricks or tips that I can try?

Also, we have wall to wall carpet, including the kitchen. The carpet in the kitchen smells, and it feels grimy to walk on. What is a good way to make the carpet feel fresh, without having to lug a shampooer up to our second story duplex?

get a new carpet shampooer. They cost around $150 and they're the size of a regular upright vac. cleaner now. It smells and feels grimy because it's full of grease from cooking. The ONLY way to fix this is to clean it.

Frankly, though, I'd rip that shit out and put a better floor in. Carpet in a kitchen is asking for trouble. Vinyl is a good inexpensive way to go, it's easy to clean, and you're paying a max of $2.09/sq. foot for the REALLY durable stuff, if you shop at one of the larger home stores.

shakran is on the money about the carpeting.

Regarding the window sills, it's going to be tedious work with an old toothbrush, sponge and bucket. Although you said they are wooden, be careful if you elect to use TSP as a cleaning agent. Trisodiumphosphate reacts with aluminum, often used as cladding on exteriors of old wooden windows.

take the advice about the carpet. Rip it out.

If the sills are just hopeless, clean them as well as you can, then paint over them with a primer like Killz-it (I think that's right). Usea primer that blocks stains and kills mildew. Then paint the color of your choice over the primer.

Good ideas, everyone! Thanks!

Carpet in the kitchen? Where's Ashton and the WTF dog when you need him.

A lot of older homes are like that. My grandparents home is almost 40 years old, they're still using the original carpeting. Not to mention original stove and oven!

I would use a handheld steamcleaner or steamcleaner with attachments to tackle the windows.

Clavis has the right idea on your windows. However sometimes "Kilz"(which is an excellent product for what you are doing) won't adhere to some of the older paints. I would suggest cleaning as much of the dirt and grime off as possible and then give a light sanding to rough up the paint or finish. that will do 2 things. 1. will smooth out any raised wood due to moisture damage and 2. give a surface that the "Kilz" product will stick to.. Also "kilz can be tinted . But tint it so that it is just one shade lighter than your desired color. This way when you paint over it the final cover color will be more consistant. This will be a lot of work but the results will be your reward.