Common Thanksgiving Stains (and How to Remove Them)
Thanksgiving is here, which means you’re probably already cleaning the house and preparing food. It’s a lot of work… but then you enjoy the food. Hooray! But then you’ll have to focus on cleaning again. Boo! The problem with Thanksgiving is that it involves so many delicious foods that also end up being very messy. Here’s how to remove fabric stains left behind by some of the most common traditional Thanksgiving foods, drinks, and other items.
How to Deal with the Most Common Thanksgiving Food Stains
Food is what makes Thanksgiving a holiday, but it’s also the messy horror it can be. Here’s how to remove stains from the most common dish.
Remove cranberry sauce stain
Oddly enough, this delicious treat is only enjoyed once a year – maybe because it leaves such nasty stains? To get rid of stains on clothes or tablecloths, mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with ⅔ cup of rubbing alcohol, then wipe the stain with a clean cloth. Continue blotting until the stain is absorbed and wash the item as usual.
Remove sauce stains
The dripping is what makes it so good and so dirty. According to Clorox , scrape off the excess with a dull knife before blotting with a paper towel or cloth, then cover the stain with cornstarch to absorb the grease. Remove any residue with a brush and then blot with cold water and dish detergent. Rinse (and repeat blotting if necessary) and you’re done.
We remove oil and other greasy stains.
To remove grease stains, first try a dish soap that is literally designed to remove grease . Apply it directly to the stain. Rub it in gently until the area is saturated and leave for a few minutes. Then wash your clothes as usual, or blot the detergent with a clean, damp cloth. You can also try white chalk . Rub it onto the stain to remove any grease, then throw the stained item in the washing machine.
Remove pumpkin stains
To remove pumpkin from fabric , scrape off any solids remaining on the material, then rinse with cold water to loosen the stain and make sure it doesn’t spread. Pre-treat it with a little laundry soap or stain remover and then throw it in the washing machine on the highest temperature. Add bleach if it is safe for the fabric.
Remove Sweet Potato Stains
These stains are similar to pumpkin stains, but they are very bright, so you need to act quickly. Mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap with two cups of cool water, then wipe the stain with a clean white cloth. Repeat the process until the stain is gone, then blot a clean cloth soaked in cold water to remove the detergent.
Remove mashed potato stains
The severity of the stain (and the removal steps you’ll have to take) largely depends on what your potatoes are mixed with. If there is oil in there, use the cornstarch method mentioned earlier to remove the fat first. If there are other dairy products in the mixture, such as cream, avoid scrubbing the stain with hot water and opt for cold water instead. Next, scrape the hard potatoes off the cloth before turning them inside out and rinsing them under cold water. Rub a small amount of dish soap into the fabric and rinse it again. Pre-treat with liquid enzyme laundry detergent for at least half an hour before putting it in the wash on the hottest setting.
How to Remove Thanksgiving Drink Stains
What’s a good meal without a good drink? A little! And the best drinks get dirty, so let’s get to it.
Remove red wine stain
To combat red wine, the first option is to use a strong, clear alcohol such as vodka or gin. Pour it onto the fresh stain and blot as much as you can with the rag. Repeat as needed. The second option is to heat enough milk to cover the stain and bring it to a boil, but remove it from the heat before it boils. Next, soak the stained item in the liquid for 30 minutes, then rinse it in cold water and throw it in the washing machine.
Remove white wine stains
It’s a little easier than red wine because it’s not red. Use plain warm water to blot the stain, but if it is stubborn or stubborn, add a little dish soap to the water and blot. After that, wash as usual.
How to Treat Other Thanksgiving Stains
Some of the things that might stain your fabrics on your special day aren’t food or drinks at all. However, don’t worry. They also have solutions.
How to remove candle wax stains
Candles can drip onto the tablecloth and leave unpleasant marks. To remove wax, you can try the hot or cold method . If you choose cold, place ice or an ice pack on the wax to freeze it, then scrape it off with a thin object such as a credit card. If you choose to use heat, your approach will depend on the surface the wax is on. If the surface is hard, melt it with a hairdryer and then wipe it off with a cloth. If it’s on carpet, place a paper bag over it, iron it, and press until the melted wax transfers into the bag. The same process works with fabrics like tablecloths: place the fabric in paper bags or newspaper, then iron over medium heat until the wax transfers from the fabric to the paper.
How to Remove Lipstick Stains
A luxurious dinner requires a fashionable appearance, so you can expect guests to wear lipstick in your home—and likely apply it to your pretty napkins. Mix equal parts lemon juice and baking soda to make a paste, apply it to the stain and leave for 30 minutes. Wipe it with a clean cloth and wash the cloth at high temperature. If your lipstick was runny, try rubbing rubbing alcohol instead of lemon and baking soda.