Holiday Guide to Removing Stains

With the holidays right around the corner, our home is buzzing with excitement as we look forward to welcoming friends and family with good times and great food. Out comes our formal wear to dress up the holidays—linens, china and crystal glasses.

After meals, many of us gather in the kitchen for clean up. It’s actually fun catching up as we get everything off the counters and back in order. Inevitably, though, there will be some messes that need immediate attention. You know the ones—spills and stains. The quicker stains are treated, the less likely they’ll set and become permanent.

The type of stain determines how to pre-treat it, which is crucial in making sure it’s fully gone before washing and drying the item and preventing the stain from setting in. It’s best to first remove any material such as dirt, food or liquid by scraping or blotting it off. Then pre-treat with a stain remover, detergent, vinegar or other solution, again, depending on the type of stain (see below for guide).

Always check your item’s care label first for special cleaning instructions or water temperature recommendations and repeat wash as needed. Wait until the stain lifts before putting in the dryer.

Red Wine

It’s likely a drip or two of wine will make its way onto the tablecloth. Address immediately by blotting rather than scrubbing stains when it comes to red wine. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda, white vinegar or salt and place the item between paper towels or clean white cloths with anything heavy on top (like books) to absorb as much liquid as possible; let sit at least 10 minutes. Stubborn stains need a little more time. Experts recommend treating with a solution of three parts hydrogen peroxide and one part dish soap and then leave the item to soak in cold water, preferably overnight. Rinse thoroughly in cold water before washing.

Grease & Oil

If you’re cooking, chances are you’ve been subjected to greasy splatters. The magical mix of baking soda and dish soap, whipped into a paste, is your go-to for removing grease and oil. Gently rub with a soft, clean brush, like a toothbrush, and let sit at least 15 minutes. Then wash in hot water or according to label instructions.

Candle Wax

Long conversations over candlelight can lead to a dripping mess. To address, scrape the wax off the surface of the fabric with a dull knife or edge of a credit card. Put the item between two paper towels then press with a warm iron to absorb the wax. Place stain on clean paper towels face down then sponge remaining stain with stain remover or blot with paper towels. Let dry before running through the washing machine. 

Coffee & Tea

With more than 159 million tea drinkers in the United States and two-thirds of the population daily coffee consumers, the chance of a spill is highly likely. To remove stains, turn the item inside out and rinse in cold water. Rub laundry detergent onto the item and let sit five to 10 minutes (30 minutes if the stain is dry). Apply baking soda, rub with a soft brush and let sit for 12 hours. Wash in warm water and repeat if the stain remains. Delicate fabrics should be pre-treated by mixing detergent with the cold water, let sit, squeeze excess water then wash.

Lipstick

Cloth napkins are common victims of dreaded lipstick stains. If there is any residue, remove with a credit card or dull knife then apply dish soap to the stain on the front and back of the item and let sit for 30 minutes. Pour warm water and a drop of liquid soap in a bowl and soak the item at least an hour, preferably overnight. Gently rub the stain with a soft brush then wash on regular cycle.

Chocolate

Whether smeared on a tablecloth or wiped on a napkin, chocolate oftentimes leaves behind a stain. To remove, gently remove excess chocolate with a dull knife then run stain through cold water from the back side of the fabric to loosen the particles. Soak in cool water with detergent 10 to 20 minutes, gently rubbing the stain with a soft brush until it’s gone (repeat if necessary). Then wash as normal.