FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

Fabric

1 Sponge the stain with cool water or soak for about 30 minutes in a basin of cool water.

2. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.

3. Launder. If it’s safe for the fabric, add chlorine bleach to the wash.

Upholstery

1. Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with 2/3 cup of rubbing alcohol.

2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the vinegar/alcohol solution.

3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.

OR

1. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water.

2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.

3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.

5. Sponge with cold water and blot dry to remove the detergent solution.

Carpet

1. Using clean white paper towels or cloths, blot up as much of the spilled beverage as possible.

2. Use plain water or mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water.

3. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a small amount of plain water or detergent/vinegar solution. Apply a little bit at a time, blotting frequently with a dry cloth until the stain disappears.

4. If using a detergent/vinegar solution, sponge with cold water and blot dry to remove the solution.

FOR CANDLE WAX

Fabric

1. If the wax is still soft, freeze the item to harden the wax, and then scrape off the excess wax.

2. Sponge with a dry-cleaning solvent.

3. Place the stain between clean paper towels and press with a warm iron to transfer the wax to the paper towels. Replace the paper towels frequently to absorb more wax and prevent transferring the stain to other places on the fabric.

4. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.

5. Launder, using chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric, or oxygen bleach.

6. If any color remains, rewash.

Upholstery

1. If the wax is still soft, freeze it by applying an ice cube wrapped in a small plastic bag, and then scrape off the excess wax.

2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.

3. Blot until the solvent is absorbed.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.

Carpet

1. If the wax is still soft, freeze it by applying an ice cube wrapped in a small plastic bag, and then scrape off the excess wax.

2. Sponge with a dry-cleaning solvent.

3. Cover the stain with a clean white cloth and press, using the tip of a warm iron to transfer the wax to the cloth. Repeat, using a clean portion of the cloth until all the wax is transferred from the carpet to the cloth.

4. If a color stain remains, sponge the stain again with a dry-cleaning solvent.

5. Blot dry.

For more on stain removal, see Good Housekeeping’s Stain Rescue

Bookmark to: