How to Tackle Holiday Spills & Stains (Wine, Gravy, Coffee, and More)
Between cooking, hosting, and holiday leftovers, you may notice a few spills and stains lingering. Whether it’s gravy on the dinner table or wine on the carpet, the right products make tackling these messes quick and easy. This guide will walk you through common post-holiday stains and how to best remove them.
Summary
In this guide, we’ll show you how to lift stains from:
- Red wine
- Coffee and tea
- Grease and holiday food stains
- Smoke and lingering odors
- Plus: A stain emergency kit to keep on hand
Red Wine Spills
Wine spills are not uncommon during holiday gatherings. Protect your carpet and clothing by treating these areas quickly to prevent permanent staining.
How to clean it:
- Blot the stain, never rub. Use a clean cloth and blot up as much liquid as possible.
- Apply a carpet and upholstery stain remover.
- Let the product sit as recommended, then blot again to lift the stain and excess cleaner.
- Repeat as needed until the stain is gone. With dye-based stains like red wine, it could take 2-3 passes for the stain to lift.
Coffee & Tea Stains
Coffee and tea are typically enjoyed after Thanksgiving dinner, and spills are bound to happen. From clothing to rugs, here are tips to easily remove these stains from most fabrics.
How to clean it:
- Prevent the stain from spreading by blotting the spill with a clean cloth.
- Apply an oxy stain remover to the area. Hydrogen peroxide helps to break down the stain, making it easier to lift.
- Let the product sit as directed, then continue to blot.
- Repeat as needed until the stain is fully lifted.
Pro Tip: To treat stains on clothing, always use cold water. Hot water can cause stains to set in permanently.
Grease and Holiday Food Stains
Grease and food stains from cooking and leftovers don’t just stay confined to the kitchen; they end up on clothing, tablecloths, and even carpets and can be tough to remove if not treated quickly.
How to clean it:
- Remove any food or residue by gently scraping the area.
- For grease- or oil-based stains (gravy, butter, dressing):
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- Blot to absorb any excess oil.
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- Spray the area with an upholstery stain remover and allow it to sit as directed. This will lift the stain, plus remove any odors.
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- Reapply as needed.
- For dye-based stains (cranberry, tomato, pie fillings):
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- Blot with cold water to prevent the stain from setting.
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- Apply a carpet or upholstery cleaner and let it sit.
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- Continue to blot until the stain has been lifted.
Pro Tip: For hard surfaces like tabletops, counters, or tiles, use an all-purpose cleaner and degreaser to break down any greasy residue.
Smoke and Lingering Odors
Smells from cooking and leftovers can linger long after the meal is over. From the air to soft surfaces, these odors can become trapped and stick around for days if not properly treated.
How to treat it:
- For cooking odors (from ovens, grills, and stovetops):
- Spray Zep Smoke Odor Eliminator in the center of any affected room to neutralize stubborn smells.
- For fabrics and soft surfaces:
- Apply an even mist of an odor eliminator spray to remove odors at their source, not just mask them.
Stain Emergency Kit
Having the right tools on hand makes it easy to quickly tackle stains before they set. Here are a few key products that will save you time and prevent any permanent stains.
What to keep on hand:
- Carpet stain remover for any spills on carpets or rugs
- Spot treatment for upholstered furniture
- Laundry pretreat spray as a stain remover for clothes
- Wall cleaner for splashes and splatters
- Microfiber cloths to wipe and blot
Spills and stains happen, but they don't have to stick around. By acting quickly and stocking up on a few essentials, you can remove the toughest stains easily. Explore Zep’s full line of carpet cleaning solutions to stay prepared for the rest of the holiday season.
- Zep Inc.
