Tips and Tricks for Holiday Spills and Accidents

With holiday gatherings approaching, you may want to be prepared for the dreaded last minute accident or holiday spill.  Don’t panic, relax.  Here are some tips on cleaning some of the most common holiday spills.

PRE-TEST all spotting solutions to determine the colorfastness of the fabric or fiber.  Test the fabric in an inconspicuous area. 

HOME CARE SPOTTING SOLUTIONS:

Detergent Solution—One teaspoonful of a colorless, mild detergent in one cup of lukewarm water.
Ammonia Solution—One tablespoon of clear household ammonia in one-half cup of water.
Vinegar Solution—One-third cup of white household vinegar in two-thirds cup of water.
P/V Remover—Paint, varnish or grease remover available in most hardware stores. (*Use sparingly and DO NOT pour directly onto fabric or fibers.  P/V Remover can dissolve the glue that holds the layers of carpet together resulting in delamination and a possible bubbling of the carpet.)

BEER - Stain: Yellow, yellowish brown, stiffens when dry.
1. Apply detergent solution, blot
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot
3. Rinse with water, blot dry

CANDLE WAX - STAIN:  Stiff, built up on surface
1. Remove excess
2. Apply P/V remover, blot
3. Place absorbent brown paper over spot; use electric iron on low heat; iron over paper until all wax is absorbed into the paper being caution not to touch to iron to the fibers or fabric.

CHOCOLATE - STAIN:  Brown, stiffens when dry, built up on surface
1. Remove excess
2. Apply cool detergent solution, blot
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot
4. Apply vinegar solution, blot
5. Rinse with water, blot dry

COCKTAILS - STAIN:  Light brown or colorless
1. Apply detergent solution, blot
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot
3. Rinse with water, blot dry

COFFEE - STAIN:  Brown, darkens with age
1. Apply detergent solution, blot
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot
3. Rinse with water, blot dry

EGG (Raw) - STAIN:  White, yellow, stiffens when dry
1. Remove excess
2. Apply detergent solution, blot
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot
4. Rinse with water, blot dry

FOOD COLORING - STAIN:  Any color, absorbed into surface
1. Apply detergent solution, blot
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot
3. Rinse with water, blot dry

FRUIT JUICE - STAIN:  Yellow or color of fruit, absorbed appearance
1. Apply detergent solution, blot
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot
4. Rinse with water, blot dry

GRAVY - STAIN:  Brown, built up on surface
1. Apply detergent solution, blot
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot
4. Rinse with water, blot dry

ICE CREAM - STAIN:  Any color, stiffens when dry
1. Apply detergent solution, blot
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot
4. Rinse with water, blot dry

LIPSTICK - STAIN:  Oily, waxy, all colors
1. Remove excess
2. Apply P/V remover, blot
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot
4. Rinse with water, blot dry

MILK - STAIN:  White, stiffens when dry
1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot
4. Rinse with water, blot dry

MUD - STAIN:  Grey, brown, stiff when dry
1. Let dry, remove excess
2. Apply detergent solution, blot
3. Rinse with water, blot dry

MUSTARD - STAIN:  Yellowish, brown
1. Apply detergent solution, blot
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot
3. Rinse with water, blot dry

PRESERVES, JAM, JELLY - STAIN:  Usually reddish or blue purple; will cause stiffness of fiber
1. Apply detergent solution, blot
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot
3. Rinse with water, blot

SOFT DRINKS - STAIN:  Yellow, red, brown, darkens with age
1. Apply cold detergent solution, blot
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot
4. Rinse with water, blot dry

SOOT - STAIN:  Black spots, smudges (Recommended for minor spots/smudges only.)
1. Vacuum first, apply P/V remover, blot
2. Apply detergent solution, blot
3. Rinse with water, blot dry

URINE - STAIN:  Yellow, brown, darkens with age
1. Apply detergent solution, blot
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot
3. Rinse with water, blot dry

VOMIT -  STAIN:  Various colors, built up on surface
1. Remove excess
2. Apply detergent solution, blot
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot
4. Rinse with water, blot dry

WINE - STAIN:  Red, purple, absorbed appearance
1. Apply detergent solution, blot
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot
4. Rinse with water, blot dry

Those are some quick solutions to potential holiday gathering “surprises”.  Please call your local Steamatic to have a professional come out solve your toughest cleaning need.  Click here to find a location near you!