1 day Ago By [email protected] (Mariam Khan)
The festive season brings joy, but it also means inevitable spills, splashes, and stains. Whether it’s a red wine mishap, gravy spill, or candle wax dribble, these holiday blunders can be tough to clean. Cleaning expert Sarah Dempsey from MyJobQuote has shared her best stain-removal hacks to help everyone manage the Christmas clean-up without the stress.
The key to getting stains out is tackling things quickly as this prevents them from staining. From oil to glitter, Sarah’s expert tips will save you time and effort, leaving your home spotless for the next celebration, the Daily Mail reports. Oil stains Oil stains on clothing can be a major issue, especially around Christmas dinner .
Sarah suggests dabbing the stain with dish soap or laundry detergent, then washing the garment on the hottest setting safe for the fabric. For carpets, sprinkle baking soda over the oil, leave for five minutes to absorb, then vacuum. Afterward, scrub the area with dish soap to lift any remaining residue.
Candle wax splatter Candle wax is a popular decoration but can easily splatter onto clothes, carpets, or tablecloths. For clothing, scrape off excess wax, then use a hairdryer on low heat over a paper towel to absorb the wax. For carpets, gently scrape off excess wax, apply heat with an iron and a cloth to loosen the wax, and finish with rubbing alcohol to treat any remaining stain.
On wood floors, soften the wax with a hairdryer, gently scrape it off with a cloth, and clean the surface with a water-vinegar solution. Wine spills Red wine spills are a common holiday mishap, but Sarah says sparkling water works wonders. ‘Rinse the area with sparkling water then blot dry.
Apply a form of carpet cleaner or, if you're treating clothing, throw the item in the washer with a tough stain remover applied,' she says. The carbonation in sparkling water helps lift the stain without letting it settle into the fabric. Gravy stains For gravy stains, Sarah recommends using cornflour or table salt to absorb the oils before they set.
Once absorbed, scrape off the paste, then blot the area with dishwashing soap. Wash the fabric in the hottest water temperature it can handle for the best results. Makeup smudges Makeup stains on clothes or carpets can be tricky, but Sarah’s quick fix can save the day.
For clothes, micellar water works wonders, breaking down oils and lifting makeup stains. For carpets, dab at the area with a damp cloth, scrub with dish soap, and use a hard-bristled brush to remove the stain. Glitter clean-up Glitter is a common festive decoration but often ends up scattered everywhere.
To clean up glitter, Sarah suggests using a balloon. Inflate it, rub it on your hair to generate static, then roll it over the glitter to pick it up. You can also use a vacuum or a lint roller for stubborn specks.
.
