We love to see our friends and family over the holidays.
What we don't love is all the leftover party stains. Whether it's soda or wine or perhaps leftover gravy from the holiday dinner parties, good advice is always appreciated on how to fight stains on our favourite linens and carpets.
Here are a few tips and tricks that have been passed down to me over the years that have seemed to work well.
Wine
This is probably one of the worst culprits out there to eliminate. One of the most popular red wine remedies is to immediately treat the stain with table salt and blot with a clean, damp white cloth. Sponge the spot with some white vinegar until your towel is not drawing any more red wine stain. Next, it's advised to sponge a little rubbing alcohol on the stain and rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Another great remedy is to place a white towel under the stain and apply one tablespoon of diluted laundry detergent mixed with one cup of water at room temperature. Let this formula sit for five to 15 minutes and then blot with a clean white cloth.
Chocolate
Another problem stain, this one can be treated by immediately removing as much as you can by scraping it off the fabric or carpet. Blot as much as possible with a clean cloth and then apply a little diluted dishwashing liquid to the spot and gently rub with a soft-bristled brush. Let sit for five to 10 minutes then rinse with warm water and blot dry with a clean cloth.
If the stain persists, try using a dry spot remover but be careful to apply it to your cloth and not directly to the fabric or carpet as it may dissolve the Latex backings on some types of carpets.
Coffee and tea
The treatment for these two stains is very similar to the two previous stain treatments. Using a formula of diluted liquid laundry detergent in a cup of room temperature water should do the trick. If the stain is not coming out to your satisfaction then try using a cloth dipped in distilled white vinegar. Let this sit for 10-20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with water at room temperature.
It may be a good idea to have these items on hand for future dinner parties during the new year. It never hurts to be prepared for when Uncle Bob comes over and likes to have his red wine and cocktail sauce on your white couch.
Barb Lunter is a freelance writer with a passion for home decor, entertaining and floral design. Contact Barb at [email protected] or follow her on her blog at lunter.ca.
