With the new year around the corner it’s that time of year that many of us will be hosting holiday parties. While these parties always bring tons of joy, they can also be a bit stressful. Lots of children running around the house, and adults indulging in copious amounts of alcoholic beverages, everyone having a grand old time. However, this puts us at risks for SPILLS. Theres nothing quite like someone spilling a glass of your finest red wine on your brand new carpet. Well we have just the solution for you. Follow these simple steps and we promise that no spill, large or small, will damper your mood.
1. Act Quickly:
The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to expunge. It is imperative to keep absorbent cloths handy to soak up spills the moment they occur. A laundry pre-treater, something along the lines of Shout Advanced Ultra Gel, can and should be applied up to a week before washing. Once the pre-treater is applied, make sure to wash in the hottest water possible with fabric-safe bleach.
2. DO NOT RUB!
When treating the stain, it is essential that we blot and not rub. Rubbing will only further the damage. Use a clean cloth made of purely cotton, the most absorbent material, to rid the stain. Work toward the center of the stain, but make sure that you begin at the outer edges.
3. Patience is a Virtue:
When applying the cleaning agents, hastiness is not necessary. You need to give these cleaning agents time to work their magic. After you have completed the treatment, make sure to air-dry the garment. If you put it in the dryer, the stain may set for good. Let the garment air-dry until you’re sure the stain is completely gone.
4. Run a Rest On a Hidden Spot:
For safety, be sure to test any stain-removing method or product on a hidden spot of fabric. It is essential to follow the label’s recommended care instructions. This is especially important with delicate upholstery.
Here’s an added bonus for our most avid readers. We have compiled a list of tools that are extremely helpful when removing stains of all kinds:
- Absorbent Cloth – Place a paper towel or a rag underneath fabric to pull the stain out of the fabric while you treat it.
- Dull Knife – Scrape off stains, such as ketchup or mustard, with a dull knife or a spoon before you go on any further.
- Eyedropper – For minor stains requiring bleach, use an eyedropper to target just the stained area.
- Toothbrush – Gently work stain remover into fabric with a soft-bristled toothbrush if your bottle does not contain a built-in brush.
- Tide Stick – Those little guys are extremely handy! We keep a few spread out through our house (one in the office, one in the kitchen, one in bedroom) so that they are always around for when spills/stains do occur. As soon as something happens we immediately apply the Tide Stick solution and the stains disappear!
