Breathe Free Carpet &
Fine Fabric Care
Business hours:
Monday-Friday
8:30am-5:30pm
Saturday- call for availability
Phone:
503-794-9200
To Contact Us:
Business hours:
Monday-Friday
8:30am-5:30pm
Saturday- call for availability
Business address:
Breathe Free Carpet & Fine Fabric Care
11918 SE Division St.,
Suite 346
Portland, OR 97266
Phone:
503-794-9200
Email:
info@breathefreecarpet.com |
Breathe Free Spot & Stain Removal Guide
 Follow these same directions for all spots and stains, using the recommended cleaning solution from the index below.
- When accidents happen, act quickly. The longer you wait to remove a spot, the more likely it is to become a permanent stain.
- Scoop up and scrape off any excess material. A spoon or dull knife works well. Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or paper towel. Don’t scrub the area as scrubbing can cause pile distortion to the area.
- Prepare cleaning solution based on which type of spot you are removing. Use the Spot and Stain Removal Guide from below.
- Pretest any cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area to make certain the solution will not damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the wet area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.
- Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to the cloth or the spot and work in gently. For heavily soiled stains, allow solution to stay on spot for at least 5 minutes. Note exception: Do not apply dry cleaning fluid directly to carpet. Apply first to cloth and use cloth to apply to carpet.
- Work from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent the spot from spreading.
- Continue using the first cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. It is not necessary to use all of the cleaning solutions if the first solution removes the spill. Be patient! Complete removal of the spill may require repeating the same step several times.
- After the spill has been completely removed, rinse the area thoroughly with cold water, and blot with a dry cloth until all of the solution has been removed. Some cleaning solutions will cause rapid re-soiling if the solution is not completely removed. Apply a one-half inch layer of white paper towels to the affected area and weigh down with a flat, heavy object.
 Continue to change paper towels as needed.
- When the carpet is dry, vacuum to restore texture.
Note: The procedures and products in the following guide reflect information that is currently available. However, no warranty of any kind is implied or intended. Use these procedures at your own risk.
Spot and Stain Removal Guide |
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**Note—A spot remover for water-based stains can be used in place of the detergent solution. We recommended a Bio-Kleen or Seventh Generation brand, safe and non-toxic spot cleaner purchased from your local grocery store. |
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**Warning—Never mix ammonia and bleach during any cleaning operation, as it can give off toxic fumes. |
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Solution #1 |
Solution #2 |
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A |
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Acne Medication |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Alcohol |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Asphalt |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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B |
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Beer |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Berries |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Bleach |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Blood |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Ammonia Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons clear, white non-suds ammonia and 4 cups cold water. |
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Butter |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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C |
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Candle Wax |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Candle Wax, Dried |
Place a brown paper bag or a damp towel over the wax you want removed and go over it with a warm iron. Keep the iron moving and move the paper/towel often. The heat from the iron melts the wax and the paper/towel wicks the wax right out. Repeat until it is gone. |
Place ice cubes on the wax to freeze. Once the wax is frozen, chip off with a dull object such as a spoon or dull knife. Pick up and vacuum all the pieces. |
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Catsup |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Chalk |
Sudsy foam—Mix 1/4 cup liquid dish detergent in 1 cup warm water. Use only the foam to apply on spot. Don’t rub foam into carpet. |
Use wisk or beaters and increase dish detergent to create more sudsy foam. |
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Charcoal |
Sudsy foam—Mix 1/4 cup liquid dish detergent in 1 cup warm water. Use only the foam to apply on spot. Don’t rub foam into carpet. |
Use wisk or beaters and increase dish detergent to create more sudsy foam. |
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Chewing Gum |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Chocolate |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Coffee |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Cough Syrup |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Crayon |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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D |
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Dirt |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Dye |
Spill may contain chemicals that may alter color of carpet—call a Breathe Free professional |
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E |
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Eggs |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Ammonia Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons clear, white non-suds ammonia and 4 cups warm water. |
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F |
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Feces |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Fruit and Fruit Juice |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Furniture Polish |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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G |
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Grass |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Grease |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Gum |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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H |
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Hair Spray |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Hand lotion |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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I |
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Ice Cream |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Ammonia Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons clear, white non-suds ammonia and 4 cups warm water. |
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Ink |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Iodine |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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J |
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Juice |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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K |
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L |
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Lacquer |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Latex Paint |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Lindseed Oil |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Lipstick |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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M |
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Machine Oil |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Makeup |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Mascara |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Mayonnaise |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Ammonia Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons clear, white non-suds ammonia and 4 cups warm water. |
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Milk |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Ammonia Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons clear, white non-suds ammonia and 4 cups warm water. |
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Mustard |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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N |
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Nail Polish |
Non-acetone Nail Polish Remover- use undiluted |
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O |
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Oil |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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P |
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Paste Wax |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Petroleum Jelly |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Q |
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R |
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Rubber Cement |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Rust |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Ammonia Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons clear, white non-suds ammonia and 4 cups warm water. |
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S |
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Salsa |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Shoe Polish |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Soft Drinks |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Soot |
Spill may contain chemicals that may alter color of carpet—call a Breathe Free professional |
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T |
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Tar |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Toilet Cleaner |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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Toothpaste |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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U |
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Urine |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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V |
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Varnish |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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Vomit |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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W |
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Wax |
Dry Cleaning Fluid—Use non-flammable dry cleaning fluid or a liquid spot remover from the grocery store or hardware store. |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
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White Glue |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Ammonia Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons clear, white non-suds ammonia and 4 cups warm water. |
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Wine |
Detergent Solution—Mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup warm water. |
Vinegar Solution—Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. |
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X |
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Y |
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Z |
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