We will NOT be hosting Christmas at our house this year. Which means I will not have to spend the week prior to Christmas cleaning, cooking and coordinating events in preparation for the onslaught of parents, siblings, their spouses and their children. WHEW! (My mom drew the short straw this year.)
The holiday season is considered the “most wonderful time of the year.” And when you are spending it with your favorite family members and friends… and foods it certainly can make for an enjoyable time. However, toss in your favorite linens and your favorite holiday outfit with a feast of fabulous festive food items and you’ve got a recipe for a potentially big mess. You’ve seen it happen before—Uncle Charlie bumps Aunt Ruth’s elbow as she’s passing him the red wine and your soaking your new tablecloth for the next week.
Thankfully, my mom is the queen of stain removal. Prior to leaving for college she typed up and laminated a stain removal guide and tucked it into my suitcase. I still have it… and still refer to it these many years later. Whether you follow the stain removing advice of your mom or Heloise or Martha Stewart it is a good idea to keep a guide on hand so candle wax drippings on your new snowflake tablecloth don’t lead to dampened holiday spirits.
Candle Wax
Nothing says ba-hum-bug louder than red and green wax drippings all over your white linen tablecloth. To remove wax stains first, let the wax harden—you can expedite this process by sticking your tablecloth in the freezer. Once the wax cools scrap it off with a dull knife. If all of the wax comes off in this process then launder it according to the instructions. If the stain persists place a thick paper towel under the stain and one over the stain and gently press the area with a warm iron. Repeat the process until the paper towels absorb the candle wax.
Wine
The dreaded wine stain. Whether it is on the sleeve of your new Christmas dress or your new winter white linens, wine stains can have any hostess seeing red. If a stain strikes try to blot up as much of the wine as possible with a cloth or paper towels. Then, use another towel dampened with cool water to blot at the remainder of the stain. Personally, as much as it would ruin the mood, I would remove the tablecloth immediately. However, if that would require too much work then sprinkle some artificial sweetener or baking soda on the stain until you can wash it.
When it’s time to lauder your stained table cloth pre-treat the stain with cold water and laundry detergent and give the stain a good rub. While that sits fill the washing machine with the hottest water that is safe for the fabric, add some OXY Clean (or other brand of enzyme cleaner) to the washing machine and allow the cloth to soak for at least half an hour. Then launder as usual.
Check back for more stain removal tips in future blogs.
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Time Saving Cleaning Tips—Part 1
Conquering The Clutter… Just In Time For The Holidays