Beware of Seasonal Stains!

When family and friends get together, it’s a wonderful time—right up until gravy hits the white tablecloth or worse- your favorite outfit! Don’t panic. With a calm approach and a few household standbys, you can turn near-disasters into
non-events.

Use these quick fixes to keep your home (and your sanity) intact.

Turkey, gravy, butter, salad dressing (oil-based) spots: Dab—don’t rub—then pretreat with a prewash stain remover. Wash in the hottest water the fabric can handle. Heat helps break down oils, so check the care tag and use the warmest setting allowed.

Cranberry sauce, apple cider, pumpkin pie (fruit sugars): Act quickly. Lift away any chunks, then flush the spot under cold running water. Launder promptly using the warmest water and a bleach that’s safe for that fabric.

Coffee, tea, wine, soft drinks (beverages): Start with a cool-water soak or sponge. Follow with a prewash stain remover or a small amount of liquid laundry detergent massaged into the area. Wash with oxygen bleach, something color safe for fabrics.

Colorful cakes and desserts (food dye): Rinse with cool water right away. If the color hangs on, soak in cool water for at least 30 minutes. After washing, pretreat with a prewash stain remover or liquid detergent and launder as usual.

A few final tips

Always read care labels before using hot water or oxygen bleach, test products on an inconspicuous area, and work from the edges of a stain toward the center to keep it from spreading.

When it comes to these spots on your carpet- always start by diluting with cool water and blot with white paper towels or a white cloth. Repeat until gone. You may need to dilute and then place a white cloth over the spot and place something heavy on top and let the spot migrate (wick) into the cloth as it dries.

When you can’t remove a spot or stain yourself. Call your favorite cleaning company - Delta Carpet Cleaning in Columbia Station (216)939-8741. After all, it pays to call a pro!