At Brody’s Dry, we’re all about family—and the holidays are our favorite time of year. Filling our homes with the sounds of laughter, the smells of fresh pine, and the tastes of holiday favorites like homemade fudge and apple cider create the perfect backdrop for memories new and old. However, holiday mishaps like spills and stains can linger on your carpet long after the New Year’s celebrations are over. We’ve compiled the perfect list to ensure your celebrations are stain-free this holiday!
- Candle Wax: Don’t rush to tackle this stain, it’s best if you let the wax fully harden before attempting to remove it. One the wax is cooled, pry up as much as you can with a butter knife. Next, make a stack of paper towels 4-ply deep and place over the stain. Gently press a warm (not hot) iron over the paper towels. The heat will transfer the wax from the carpet to the towels. You might have to do this with several sets of towels before the wax is removed. Fluff the fibers with your fingers to plump up the area after ironing.
- Coffee: Soak up as much of the spill as possible. Spritz the entire area with cold water and blot dry. Make a mixture of 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 tablespoon dishwashing detergent and 2 cups warm water, blot mixture over area. Let sit for 15 minutes. Rub the area with an ice cube until it melts and then blot dry.
- Butter: Scrape up the excess with a knife, then blot up as much as you can with a paper towel. Sprinkle white table salt on the area to soak up the grease, let sit for 60 seconds, then vacuum the area. Make a solution of ¼ teaspoon dish detergent to 1 cup warm water, and blot over the area. Finish by rubbing the area with an ice cube and blot dry with a clean paper towel.
- Cranberry Sauce: Scrape up as much as you can with a spoon. Spritz the entire area with cold water and blot dry. Make a mixture of 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 tablespoon dishwashing detergent and 1 cup warm water, blot mixture over area. Let sit for 15 minutes. Rub the area with an ice cube until it melts and then blot dry.
- Chocolate: Scrape up the excess with a spoon. Blot up as much residual chocolate as you can. Make a solution of ¼ teaspoon dish detergent to 1 cup warm water, and blot over the area. Finish by rubbing the area with an ice cube and blot dry with a clean paper towel.
- Gravy: Scrape up as much as possible with a spoon, use a towel to wipe up any excess. Spritz the entire area with cold water and blot dry. Make a mixture of 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 tablespoon dishwashing detergent and 2 cups warm water, blot mixture over area. Let sit for 15 minutes. Rub the area with an ice cube until it melts and then blot dry.
- Red Wine: Soak up as much excess liquid as possible. If you have white wine available, pour a small amount over the stain, let sit for 2 minutes, then blot dry. Make a solution of ¼ teaspoon dish detergent to 1 cup warm water, and blot over the area. Finish by rubbing the area with an ice cube and blot dry with a clean paper towel.
Of course, some stains are stubborn and will want to stick around long after the tinsel is packed away. The best way to ensure your carpet doesn’t show and tell your holiday secrets is to schedule a cleaning NOW for the beginning of January. You’ll be able to pack up your decorations, clean your soft flooring and step into 2018 with a healthy, happy home! Give us a call today to schedule your FREE estimate! Give us a ring at (816) 895-7000 or just click HERE.