So you just had the whole house cleaned and you’re ready to entertain for the holidays.  Neighbors, family, friends and unexpected visitors will be admiring your holiday festive house!  With the oncoming traffic of guests, messes and spills are inevitable but treatable!  Here are a few tips on treating  the “classic red wine spill”.

If you spilled red wine on fabric, I think it’s easy to take care of, as long as you tend to it right away.  However, if you decide to chit chat with an old friend and forget about it, well… let’s hope for the best!  First, sponge the spot with cold water or soak for about 30 minutes in cold water.  Then treat it again with a prewash stain remover before you put it in the laundry.

If you spilled wine on upholstery, start by blotting up as much of the spill as you can.  Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap with 2 cups of cool water.  Then use an absorbent clean rag to apply the dishwashing soap and water solution to your upholstery.  Blot with another clean rag to absorb both the solution and spilled wine.  Repeat this process until you see the stain diminish.

‍

If you spilled wine on your carpet, you definitely have to take care of it pronto!  Blot up as much of the spilled wine as possible.  (Yes, you already knew that.)  Mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar with 2 cups of warm water.  Use a clean rag to sponge the stain with the vinegar solution. Apply a small amount at a time,(vinegar is powerful) blotting frequently with a dry rag until the stain lessens.

Now, if you waited too long to attend to the stain or you feel that it needs something even more powerful, use hydrogen peroxide.  If you don’t have a bottle of it in your medicine cabinet, you can find it at your local drug store.  (Due to the reactive quality o

f hydrogen peroxide, wear gloves when handling)  Test the hydrogen peroxide solution on a spot of carpet to see if it has an adverse effect on your carpet. If it does, DO NOT use the hydrogen peroxide solution to clean the wine spill. If your carpet shows a neutral effect, then you have the green light to use it.  Find an old spray bottle, like an empty Windex bottle.  (Make sure it is cleaned out well.)  Then, mix 1 part liquid dishwashing soap with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide. This can be a small solution.  Don’t feel you have to fill up the entire bottle.  The great part is that you can spray on the solution on your stain instead of using a rag to apply it.  Blot with clean rag.  Rinse well once you see the stain lessen.  Now, go and celebrate with your guests!  Happy Holidays from Elite Floor and Furniture Cleaning!

‍