On the first day of Christmas, did your true love bring you something that could leave a stain? The holiday season is a wonderful time of year, full of great meals and fun celebrations, but mixing food and fun is always a recipe for spills and drips. Here are some of best ways to fight the most common stains we’re likely to encounter during this most wonderful time of the year.
First things first, it’s best to go into the stain fighting battle well-armed. Most stains can be dealt with by using some combination of white vinegar, salt, hydrogen peroxide, laundry detergent and dishwashing detergent. Throw in a way to gently scrape up any excess, and you’ve got a stain fighting kit to take on anything the holidays can throw at you.
For instance, berry stains, like spilled cranberry sauce or errant berry pie, start with scraping up any food particles, and then dabbing the spot with a 2-to-1 mixture of water and white vinegar. After about ten minutes, treat it with a mild detergent and then bring it in as soon as possible!
Another unwelcome stain, the red wine spill, takes advantage of other parts of your stain fighting kit. Sprinkle the stain with salt, and then dab with a damp cloth. Follow by dabbing with a few drops of white vinegar until the color is completely out. Finally, dab with rubbing alcohol, and then dab with a clean, damp towel.
What about after dinner coffee? Mixing together two parts water to one part dishwashing liquid and blotting the stain should help prepare it for deep cleaning here at Green Care.
It’s important to remember: pre-treating is only a bandaid! If the item says dry clean only, or if it’s too big to fit in your washing machine, don’t let it sit around! Some fabrics need the work of a professional dry cleaner, like the ones here at Green Care Cleaners, to remove stains properly. Our high-tech cleaning process can get out even the toughest stains on the most delicate fabrics, but it’s best not to risk it with your favorite shirts, blouses, and holiday linens.
From our family here at Green Care Cleaners to yours, we wish you very Happy Holidays and a blessed New Year!