Christmas is a joyous time, but it is also full of happy accidents – namely, when all that delicious food and drink tries to leave its mark on your clothes. As we gather around tables laden with festive feasts, the risk of spills and stains increases significantly. Cleaning expert Victor Ilisco, Director of Operations at fabric patch site Ninja Patches, has shared some convenient hacks to make those stains budge with affordable items you already have at home.
“People tend to wear their nicest clothes during the holidays – often delicate fabrics or pieces saved for special occasions, which makes stains feel even more frustrating,” Ilisco noted. With that in mind, here are the best hacks for removing red wine, gravy, oil, makeup, chocolate, and more from your finest clothes.
Red Wine
Time is of the essence when it comes to a red wine stain, as fresh stains are much easier to deal with. Ilisco recommends using salt on the stain as soon as it occurs, as it begins lifting the color immediately. Leave it on for five to ten minutes to allow the salt to absorb the pigment, then brush it away. The final step is to slowly pour boiling water over the stain to flush out any remaining color, although this can wait until you get home since the salt has already done the heavy lifting.
Gravy and Oily Food Stains
It’s not a Christmas meal without a good helping of gravy, but fat and oil can easily find their way onto your outfit. Oily stains love to cling to clothes, so a solution that can cut through grease is essential. Ilisco suggests using dishwashing liquid. Simply massage the soap into the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it out. If you can’t treat it right away, blot the stain as much as possible and apply dishwashing liquid when you get home. Another effective hack is to use cornstarch, which should be left on the stain for 20 to 30 minutes to absorb the oils before being shaken off and washed as usual.
Fruit and Cranberry Sauce Stains
An Aussie Christmas isn’t complete without fresh fruits on the table, but these, along with cranberry sauce, can easily leave brightly-colored stains. Since cranberry is a tannin stain, it requires something natural to break down the pigments, making lemon juice an ideal solution. After blotting the stain, apply lemon juice and let it sit for ten minutes before rinsing it out. For an extra boost, putting the garment out in the sun can help brighten the area, especially for white fabrics – just be cautious not to overdo it.
Makeup Transfer Stains
Makeup is designed to stick, whether it’s to our faces or our clothes. Because makeup products are full of oils and waxes, removal requires something that can break them down. Shaving foam is a well-known trick among stylists. First, blot the stain, then apply a layer of shaving cream and work it in. Leave it for five minutes before rinsing it out. If you find yourself out and about, this hack remains effective even after some time has passed.
Chocolate Stains
It’s not Christmas without chocolate everywhere – including on your clothes. The one mistake you want to avoid is using hot water on the stain, as chocolate stains are protein-based and hot water can essentially cook the stain into the fabric. Instead, use cold water to loosen it. After rinsing with cold water, apply a paste of baking soda and water, leaving it for 20 minutes before lightly scrubbing it out. This should effectively lift the stain.
With these handy hacks, you can enjoy the festive season without the worry of stubborn stains ruining your favorite holiday outfits. Embrace the joy of Christmas, and let these tips help you tackle any mishaps that come your way!
