Clean Up After a Holiday Feast: A Guided Tour

It's basically impossible to go through holiday meals and keep the linens and table clothes perfectly clean.  The most important thing to remember when food and drink if spilled is that TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.  It's always best to wash stained items or take then to your cleaner as soon as possible.  If your table linens are colored or have colored embroidery check for colorfastness before using the various stain removal products.  Anytime a stain is not washed out before drying it can become more difficult to remove.  So here are some tips for the most common holiday spills: How to get out CANDLE WAX - Gently lift off the larger pieces.  Treat with a solvent based removal product.  Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.

Hot to get out WINE and COFFEE STAINS - Lightly touch with an absorbent towel to draw up the liquid or put paper towels under the spill.  Blotting can actually spread the stain.  After dinner, rinse in cool water, treat with a mild detergent and white vinegar.

How to get out SALAD OIL - This is the worst because it can yellow with age if not removed.  Cover a big spill at the table with absorbent powder.  Shake off after supper.  Apply a mild detergent mixed with household ammonia, ASAP.  Wait 5-10 minutes and wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.

How to get out CRANBERRY - Rinse with cool water and treat with a mild detergent and white vinegar before washing.