Parties, dinners and conviviality, even on a smaller scale this year, can wreak havoc on our clothing, table linens, furniture and rugs.
We spoke with experts to determine the best products to clean up the most common Christmas disasters, from gravy to spilled wax.
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Clean up spilled drinks and sauces
Red wine and salsa are staples of the holiday season, and they leave deep stains, too.
Fortunately, Wine Away, an expert-approved solution, works perfectly to remove them.
Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover
USD $ 20.24 /
MX $ 945
When it comes to dealing with spills like wine, cola, fruit juices, or sauces on carpets or upholstered furniture, Brett Parent, a senior chemist at Bissell, says, "When you first come across a spilled beverage stain, use a cloth to blot up as much of the liquid as possible. It is best to use a white towel or cloth to wipe off the stains to make sure no dye is transferred from a colored cloth. "
How and how often should your towels be washed, according to experts
Utopia Cotton Bar Mops
USD $ 15.99 /
MX $ 676
The experts provided the following instructions for treating spilled drink stains:
Use a stain remover and test it in an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn't cause damage.
Spray the stain and surrounding area until the area is completely saturated
Gently work the formula into the stain
Let the formula sit for five minutes before drying any remaining liquid
Woolite cleaner two units
USD $ 13.99 /
MX $ 1,299
Bissell SpotClean Pro
USD $ 175 /
MX $ 6.059
Greasy food stain removal
Butter, oil and other fats abound around Christmas time, inevitably leaving greasy stains on silk blouses or ties, or on table linens and upholstered furniture.
Patric Richardson, a laundry expert who runs The Laundry Evangelist website, says:
The secret to removing oily stains is to use a little vinegar to lift the oil.
Then use soap [on stains] and wash as usual.
The same method can be used to remove a stain from furniture, but instead of washing after treating the stain, Richardson says "just use warm water on a towel to 'rinse' the stain, then pat dry."
Richardson recommends making a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Treating starchy food stains
Starchy foods like mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, or glazed carrots become sticky when dry;
Richardson suggests using a brush to wash clothes before treating stains prior to washing.
In the absence of a laundry brush, use a smaller brush, a butter knife, or the side of a spoon to help lift dry starches from fabrics like clothes, tablecloths, or chairs.
Cape Cod Horsehair Brush
USD $ 8.95 /
MX $ 252
Cape Cod Horsehair Brush
USD $ 12 /
MX $ 199
Vacmaster Wet Dry Shop
USD $ 59.99 /
MX $ 1,853
Wax
If candle wax drips onto carpet, tablecloth, or furniture, a simple trick can remove it: Place a sheet of Kraft paper over the wax and place a slightly warm iron on the paper.
The heat from the iron will melt the wax and the paper will absorb it.
To remove wax drips from hard surfaces like countertops, tables, or floors, a hair dryer can be used on a low heat setting with a similar effect.
When the wax becomes flexible, wipe it off with paper towels, then remove any remaining waxy residue with a small amount of soap and water.
Revlon dryer
USD $ 6.57 /
MX $ 171
Kraft paper roll
USD $ 27.99 /
MX $ 384
Sunbeam Designed Iron
USD $ 34.99 /
MX $ 730
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