Tackle spills and splatters quickly so you might get back to the festivities.
Holiday mishaps happen, but there’s no need to panic.
A small spill or smudge doesn’t have to ruin your upholstery, flooring, or favorite holiday sweater.
Credit: Xsandra / Getty Images
Dab away the oily residue using a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol.
Launder fabric items as usual; for walls, wipe with a clean cloth dampened with warm water.
Start by hardening any melted chocolate by placing a resealable bag of ice cubes over the area.
Credit: Carson Downing
On upholstery and other fabric items, a dry, clean toothbrush can also work.
dish soap and 2 cups warm water.
Repeat as needed until the stain is gone, then soak up the solution with a clean towel.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
liquid dish soap, and 1 Tbsp.
Soak the item in this mixture for 15 minutes before rinsing in clean water and hanging to dry.
Check that the stain is gone, then launder as usual.
Credit: Adam Albright
Forcoffee stains on carpet, blot the spill first to soak up as much liquid as possible.
Apply a mixture of 2 Tbsp.
hydrogen peroxide and 1 Tbsp.
Credit: Dominique Vorillon
dish soap, and gently work the solution into the material.
Blot with a clean damp cloth (rinsing the cloth as needed) to remove the soapy residue.
Repeat until the stain is gone.
Create a homemade carpet stain remover by combining 1 quart warm water, 1 tsp.
liquid dish soap, and 1/4 tsp.
Apply the solution to the stain and let sit for 10 minutes.
Blot with a clean white cloth until the stain is gone.
Dab again with a clean cloth dipped in cold water to rinse away soapy residue, then blot dry.
Pre-treat the stain with your favorite fabric stain remover or apply laundry detergent directly to the area.
Wash the garment in warm water and hang to dry.
Repeat as needed until the stain is completely gone.
Remove any soapy residue with a clean cloth dampened with warm water.
Work it inusing a toothbrush, then allow the detergent to sit for at least 15 minutes.
Wash the fabric on hot and repeat as needed.
Wait to dry the fabric until the stain is completely gone.
After another 30 minutes, launder as usual.
Upholstery stains can be cleaned by dabbing the area with warm, soapy water.
Repeat with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water, then switch back to the soapy water.
Dab with a clean damp cloth to remove soapy residue, then blot dry.
Vacuum the area thoroughly.
Rinse the area by dabbing with a clean damp cloth.
To clean soot off fireplace bricks, mix 1/4 cup liquid dish soap with 4 cups water.
Apply the solution to the bricks, then scrub with a soft-bristled brush, working from the top down.
Rinse the area with a sponge dipped in clean water.
Tree Sap
Live Christmas treescan leave behind sticky sap residue on carpets and clothing.
To remove tree sap stains, start by scraping off as much residue as possible using a dull knife.
If necessary, place a resealable bag filled with ice over the stain to harden the sap first.
Launder the garment as normal,using the hottest water settingsafe for the fabric.
Repeat as needed; do not dry the item until the stain is completely gone.
Wait several hours, then repeat.
