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Holiday Stains

Submitted by Lorene Bartos, UNL Extension Educator

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Oops another spill!!! Stains can be a major disaster if not treated immediately using the right products and process. Whether it be the table linens or a special holiday outfit, there are ways to save the item. It is best to treat stains immediately. The longer the stain remains untreated the harder it is to remove. Procedures for removing stains differ with different fabrics and carpets.

Tips to removing common holiday stains:

• Always read the care label and the label on the cleaning product before trying to remove the stain.
• Pre-test the cleaning product on a concealed area before using it to remove the stain.
• Work on the stain from the reverse side, if possible.

For carpets use the following guidelines: Always work from the edge toward the center of the stained area. Use a blotting technique; do not rub. Test each solvent in an inconspicuous place, behind draperies, inside closet, to check for colorfastness. Blot liquid stains with absorbent material, pick up semi-solids and syrups with a spoon, vacuum solid materials.

Use the recommended solvents, in the order listed. Use small amounts as over-wetting can lead to other problems such as brown spots and mildew.

S - Cleaning Solvent (Goof Off or Goo Gone)
D - Detergent Solution (1/2 teaspoon non-bleaching, powder detergent to 2 cups lukewarm water)
A - Ammonia Solution (1 tablespoon household ammonia to 1 cup water)
V - Vinegar solution (1 part white vinegar to l part water)
W - Plain Water

Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks: D, A, V, W
Coffee and tea: D, V
Food stains: S, D, A, V, W,
Wine: A, V, W

Suggestions for removing holiday stains from washable fabric:

Beverages, including alcohol, soft drinks, wine, coffee, tea: Sponge with cool water. Soak for 15 minutes in 1 quart of lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish detergent and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Launder. If stain remains, soak in an enzyme pre-soak for 30 minutes.

Candle wax: Scrape excess from fabric with a dull knife. Spray or sponge with cleaning solvent, then rub with heavy-duty liquid detergent before washing. Pressing the wax between paper may set the candle dye more permanently by making it harder for the solvent to penetrate the wax. Launder using hot water and chlorine bleach if safe for fabric.

Chocolate: Soak in cold water. Pre-treat remaining stain with a prewash stain remover. Launder using the hottest water safe for the fabric. Use appropriate bleach safe for the fabric.

Cranberry sauce: Wash in cool, sudsy water using appropriate bleach. If stain remains, soak 30 minutes in an enzyme pre-soak and re-launder.

Gravy, grease and meat juice: Scrape off, as much as possible, with a dull knife. Soak in cold water. Pre-treat and launder in hottest water safe for the fabric. Use appropriate bleach.

Remember - always treat the stain as soon as possible When traveling carry a stain stick and treat the stain on clothing or other fabric immediately. It will be ready to launder when you return home. Save time and money by taking steps to care for stains immediately and correctly.