Stain Solutions to be Thankful For: The Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving Stain Removal
172011
Did things get a little sloppy at the turkey table this year? Unfortunately, it’s not always acceptable to throw a drop cloth below the table, use protective plastic tablecloths, insist your 21 year old niece drinks wine out of a sippy cup, or hand out extra large bibs for your parents. But never fear, Crest is here. Read on for our Thanksgiving stain removal guide. Of course, be careful with delicate fabrics, and if you’re stumped by a stain, take it to your local cleaners for an expert opinion.
1. Gravy – Did you miss your mashed potatoes and find the fancy table cloth instead? Don’t worry, you can blame it on that awkwardly shaped little gravy boat. And after, follow these steps to get that stain out:
For linens/clothes: Scoop any excess off the garment and then blot the affected area with a clean towel. Be generous with the pre-treat spray and then soak overnight in a detergent solution.
For carpet/upholstery: Scoop and blot the stain, but then apply a dry cleaning solvent (commonly available at hardware and grocery stores) or a remover specifically for carpet.
2. Cranberry – Why did whoever make those berries so delicious also have to make them so RED! It’s a hard stain, but we can help.
For linens/clothes: Scoop and blot off what you can—be careful not to spread it in the process. Next, mix 1 cup of cool water, a tablespoon of white vinegar and half a teaspoon of detergent. Soak for about 15 – 20 minutes until the stain is mostly gone, then wash normally.
For carpet/upholstery: Scoop and blot, then gently sponge with a solution of 2/3 cup of rubbing alcohol and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar (careful that the sponge isn’t too wet, just a little moist). Then blot with plain cool water and blot to dry.
3. Eggnog – Gotta have it because you need something yummy and distracting to drink when Uncle Blabbermouth starts telling that snore story about his high school football team again. Too bad you were only paying as much attention getting the cup to your mouth as you were to his story. Oops…
For linens/clothes: Soak this stain for 30 minutes in a cool water and liquid detergent solution. Next wash it, but if the stain doesn’t come out, make sure you soak and wash again before drying, or risk the wrath of an “invisible stain.”
For carpet/upholstery: It’s best to blot with a moist absorbent cloth first, and then apply a liquid dish soap and cool water solution again with the moist cloth. Once it has all been absorbed, rinse with cool water and pat dry.
4. Hot Chocolate – Put in as many marshmallows as you want: it’s a holiday! When you cozy up and share funny stories, just don’t laugh your drink all the way onto your lap. If you do, come back here for our solution.
For linens/clothes: A regular pre-treat should work for this stain, but it may need it twice. Wash normally after the pre-treat.
For upholstery: Blot first, then apply a solution of 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent and 2 cups of cool water with a clean cloth. Continue blotting until the stain is gone, and then blot with plain cool water and then a dry cloth.
For carpet: Use 1 tablespoon of hand dishwashing detergent with 2 cups of warm water to sponge the stain until it is absorbed. If it is stubborn, mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia and two cups of warm water to sponge the area. Blot with plain cool water and then blot again to dry.
5. Grass – If scrimmage football is a family Thanksgiving tradition, those nice fall clothes might not be so nice by dinner time. If Aunt Julie has a mean tackle, you might end up on the ground. If grass stains get you down, read on and cheer up!
For clothes: Just lay out the garment and cover the stains with liquid detergent, let soak for one hour and then wash as usual.
For carpet/upholstery: You have bigger problems than the stain, like: how did you even get grass all over your upholstery to begin with!? Good luck.
6. Oil from Turkey – Whether you were the master turkey carver or the master turkey eater, drips of fatty oil might have made it onto your turkey day attire. If that’s the case, give this a try.
For linens/clothes: Handwash the linen in dish soapy water before the regular wash cycle. Repeat if necessary.
For carpet/upholstery: Rubbing alcohol is one of the best solvents for this stain. Blot frequently, it may be a multiple day process.
7. Butter – Delicious, but pesky. It’s also very slippery, as you may have noticed while watching it slide off your knife and into your lap If you have a problem getting the stains out, try this:
For linens: Scoop and then blot the affected area, apply a pre-treat spray and then soak overnight in a solution with detergent.
For upholstery/carpet: Scoop and blot, then apply a remover specifically for carpet, the oil removing solvents are best.
8. Wine – Caution: this stain is more likely to occur the longer your Thanksgiving lasts, and the freer the wine flows. Maybe it’s better to switch to eggnog at the end of the night since it’s a little less viscous. But if you don’t, we are there for you:
For linens/clothes: Treatment with a pre-wash spray before normal washing should do the job, check before drying – it may need a second round.
For upholstery: Lots of blotting! Special super absorbent towels work best, then use a moist sponge with a tiny bit of dish washing liquid/cool water solution and continue blotting.
For carpet: Keep blotting like crazy, then cover it with table salt to absorb the stain overnight, and vacuum up in the morning. Again, you can blot with the dish washing liquid/cool water solution. Then rinse it and blot (yes, again) dry.
Now that you’re prepared, you can take some time to stop and smell the turkey without worrying about spills. Hope you have a good turkey day! If it ends up so eventful that your stain needs get out of control – remember Crest Cleaners is always there to help. For that last “questionable” touchdown/pass interference call from the family football game, though, you may be on your own!
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