Don't let stains ruin your holiday spirit

2020 meant smaller (even remote) gatherings and limited celebrations. But anytime you bring good times and good cheer together, there's a risk it will end up with accidents or spills.

You don't have to deal with cleanup from pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, eggnog, gravy and stains from other seasonal dishes every day of the week.

"This is truly the season when we're trying to clean up messes that are a little bit different than we're accustomed to deal with," said Tom Zengeler, president of Zengeler Cleaners. "In addition to the items listed above, beverages such as wine, tea, specialty coffees and soft drinks are especially challenging."

Here are some practical stain removal tips you can try right at home.

Tips for liquid stains

• Rinse the stain with cold water.

• "Blot" it with mild dishwashing liquid or a mild detergent and rinse.

• If the stain is still present, blot with white vinegar, then rinse thoroughly.

• When all else fails, try 3% hydrogen peroxide (available at most stores) - but first test it in an unexposed area such as a seam or shoulder pad to be sure it's safe for the fabric and color.

Eggnog and gravy stains

• Blot the stain with cold water and mild detergent, then rinse.

• If the stain persists, take a small amount of powdered detergent and mix with one ounce of "non-sudsing" household ammonia to form a paste. Apply to the stained area for 5-10 minutes, then launder as usual.

• Caution: Do not use this procedure on silk or wool garments. For these fabrics, use a mild detergent and rinse thoroughly.

Tips for other stains

• Always test the colorfastness of fabrics before attempting any type of stain removal.

• Treat stains as soon as possible to avoid having them "set."

• If the garment is dry-cleanable, it should be handled professionally.

For more cleaning tips, visit Zengeler Cleaners' website at www.zengelercleaners.com.