If there is one thing Thanksgiving is known for, it is bringing family and friends together to enjoy delicious meals. With all the commotion of the gatherings, accidents are bound to happen. In South Arkansas, where homes combat the seasonal chill with carpeted surfaces, rugs tend to be unfortunate victims of spills.
Given over 50 years of experience in the cleaning and restoration industry, we at Restore-It know how to treat rug stains professionally. We also know how spill accidents increase during the holiday season. That's why we will teach you what to do when the unexpected happens.
Today, we will discuss the best actions you can take to keep your rugs clean and safe this Thanksgiving. We will focus on general stain treatment, solutions for common spills during this holiday, the cleaning items you need, and how to prepare best for the South Arkansas climate. So, let’s get started and learn how to deal with rug stains in this festivity.
1. Prevent stains this Thanksgiving
The number one action to deal with stains this season is prevention. We suggest considering these steps before the gathering begins:
- Focus on cleaning the area surrounding the entrance of your house.
- Place doormats so the leftover dirt from outside doesn't get indoors.
- Put carpet protection in high-traffic areas: entryways, dining tables, and food serving stations.
- Use a rug and carpet protector like 3M's Scotchgard.
- Have cleaning supplies on hand. A stain removal kit will help you quickly tackle spills.
2. Don't let rug stains set in
When there is a spill, the first thing to remember is to act quickly. The longer the spill sits in your rug, the more difficult it will be to remove it later on, as liquids can seep deep into its fibers. Heavy, textured rugs, popular during the chilling seasons in South Arkansas, can trap liquids more easily than smoother surfaces. Here are some suggestions to take into account:
Blot, don’t rub
When a spill occurs, blot the area gently to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. Rubbing the stain, on the contrary, only pushes the liquid deeper into the fibers and spreads it.
Use a clean cloth
Always use a white cloth or paper towel to blot spills. Colored towels can transfer dyes onto the rug, especially when dealing with hot liquids like gravy or soup.
Tackle the stains with household items
Items like baking soda, dish soap, white vinegar, and club soda can help you quickly tackle spills before they set in. They have characteristics that turn them into your best ally when fighting stains:
- Baking soda: It's an excellent absorber and works wonders with liquid spills.
- Dish soap: Mixed with warm water, it cuts right through grease.
- White vinegar: Mildly acidic, it can break down stains.
- Club soda: It lifts stains with its bubbles and works great with liquids.
3. Use these solutions for common Thanksgiving spills
While the tips above deal with general actions to deal with stains, we made a small list of the most common stains this festivity can leave and how to treat them:
Cranberry Sauce
It's a Thanksgiving classic, filled with sugars and fruit. Their red hues can change the color of your rugs if you (or your guests) are not careful. Here’s how to manage it:
- Blot up as much of the sauce as you can with a cloth.
- Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of cold water.
- Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the solution.
- Using a clean cloth, sponge the stain with the solution.
- Then, blot it until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Repeat the process until the stain is gone.
Rinse with cold water and blot dry.
Gravy stains
Greasy and challenging to remove, here’s how to get rid of them:
- First, use a spoon to remove excess gravy from the rug.
- Then, sprinkle baking soda over the spill.
- Let it absorb the grease for 10-15 minutes.
- Vacuum up the powder.
- Mix a tablespoon of dish soap with cold water and sponge the stain with this mix.
- Finally, blot until the stain lifts.
Red Wine spills
Dreaded by most homeowners as the most challenging stain to deal with, it is very manageable if you act fast:
- Blot the spill with a clean cloth to absorb as much wine as possible.
- Rinse the area with cold water to dilute the wine.
- Mix one teaspoon of dish soap in a bowl with one cup of cold water.
- Apply the solution from the outside towards the center of the stain.
- Keep on blotting the stain with the mix while frequently rinsing the cloth.
- If the stain remains stubborn, mix white vinegar and cold water in equal parts.
- Sponge the stain with the mixture and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Once you are done, rinse the area with cold water and dry it.
Dried or set-in red wine spills
If someone spills some wine and forgets to tell you about it, you must deal with a set-in spill. These are harder to deal with and require some extra effort and time. Here is what to do:
- Mix one part water with three parts baking soda in a small bowl.
- This will turn into a paste you will apply to the wine stain.
- Let it dry completely for a few hours.
- Finally, vacuum the powder off the carpet.
Pumpkin Pie
Another seasonal recipe can leave a nasty stain on your rug. Here is what you need to do if that happens:
- Use a spoon to scrape any excess pie filling.
- Mix one tablespoon of dish soap, two cups of cold water, and a teaspoon of vinegar in a bowl.
- Blot the stain with the mixture and rinse with cold water.
- Dry the area thoroughly.
4. Take South Arkansas's conditions into account during your cleaning
While the climate of South Arkansas is drier entering the colder months, this doesn't necessarily mean your rugs will dry quickly enough to avoid mold growth. With the cooler temperatures, most homes are less ventilated, trapping all the dampness inside. Here is what you should remember when treating a stain on your rug:
Don't over-saturate the rug with water
Too much water or cleaning solutions will make it harder for your rug to dry. Instead, use enough to treat the spill and thoroughly blot the area afterward.
Use fans for quicker drying
After cleaning up the spill, you can speed up the drying process with a fan. This is a good alternative if your home lacks airflow in November.
5. After Thanksgiving, choose professional rug cleaning
Once the festivities have ended, consider investing in a professional rug cleaning service to refresh your rugs and remove any extra stubborn stains you may have missed. We at Restore-It can deep clean oriental, Persian, and wool rugs, removing all the dust and grit in one go.
We use powerful extraction tools and special cleaning agents to lift stains and revive colors. However, these cleaning agents are most effective with certain stains. That's why we always recommend that you mention any spills or attempts to remove stains so we can be prepared to restore your carpet to its former glory.
Still worried about potential spills?
Accidents during Thanksgiving gatherings are standard, with spills on rugs being a source of post-season stress. Now, you should understand how to keep your rug spotless, having learned all the tips and tricks. From dealing immediately with these accidents, the household items you need, and the solutions specific to South Arkansas' conditions. However, should you need extra help with old or stubborn spots, we at Restore-It can treat your rugs professionally. So what are you waiting for? Call us so we can start making your rugs look brand-new!
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