Nine
Clothing is more likely to be ruined this time of year by stains . . . mostly because we're all eating and drinking more, and then spilling on ourselves.
--So here are some of things you might have run-ins with over the next few weeks . . . and what to do about them.
--First of all, the most important thing is to always deal with a stain immediately, not the next day. Here are nine tough ones, and exactly how to treat them.
#1.) Candy Canes. Soak the piece of clothing for 30 minutes in
cold water with a few drops of ammonia in it. Then rinse it, and soak it for another 30 minutes in cold water, with a tablespoon of white vinegar.
#2.) Eggnog. Blot it with a rag, then soak it for 30 minutes in cold water with a little detergent, and wash it like you normally would.
--If you spill on the RUG, you're supposed to blot it with NAIL POLISH REMOVER, then spray it with a mix of warm water and dish soap, and blot it until the stain's gone.
#3.) Wine and Beer. For red wine, you're supposed to pour boiling
water on the stain . . . but obviously not if it might make the colors
run. Then hand clean it with a mix of cold water and dish soap.
--For WHITE wine, you just have to pour cold water on the stain, and blot it with a rag.
--For
#4.) Candle Wax.
Scrape away any excess wax using a dull knife, like a butter knife. Then iron it on a low setting, with a paper bag between the iron and the fabric.
--Most of the wax should stick to the bag. Then treat the remaining stain with hydrogen peroxide, and wash it like you would normally.
#5.)
soap to cut the oil, then soak it for 30 minutes, and let it air dry. If possible use hot water.
#6.) Gravy. Wipe it off, but make sure you don't grind it in by scrubbing back-and-forth. Then soak it overnight in the washing machine with fabric-safe bleach. And again, use the hottest water you can.
--If you spill gravy on the CARPET, sprinkle baking soda on it. Then after about 15 minutes, blot it with a clean rag.
#7.) Butter.
Sprinkle salt on the stain and let it sit for a while. Then pretreat it with spot remover or dish soap, and wash it in hot water.
#8.) Cranberry Sauce. First you have to rinse it in cold water for
about a minute. Then soak it for 15 minutes in cold water with a tablespoon of white vinegar and a tablespoon of laundry detergent.
--If it still doesn't come out, don't dry it yet. First blot it with rubbing alcohol and wash it again.
#9.) Chocolate.
Pre-treat it with a spot remover. Rub it gently, but don't grind it in.
Then wash it in hot water if possible, and use fabric-safe bleach.
