Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and it’s best you’re prepared as best as can be. No, we’re not talking about making sure you have a fun date planned for your partner and your chocolates and flowers are purchased. We’re talking about making sure that you have what you need on hand to tackle those tough Valentine’s Day related spills like chocolate or wine that could have the potential to sour an otherwise amazing romantic meal. If you’re prepared to tackle these stains, then you’re truly ready for anything this February!
Wine is an especially tricky stain to tackle. It’s so easy to spill, especially after you’ve had a glass or two of it and it makes an instantly noticeable stain that is tough to get out. Well, we have just the solution for you. Here’s how we recommend getting wine out of your clothes should it happen to spill while you’re out on a date or enjoying a romantic dinner at home.
Immediately flush the affected area with lukewarm water followed by a rinse with a clear bubbly water like soda water or sparkling water. This will help the stain not set as hard or deep. Then, when possible pre-treat the stained area with a concentrated liquid dishwashing detergent like Dawn. Let that sit for 15 minutes to an hour. Wash in your washing machine at the highest heat setting appropriate for that garment type and include some color-safe bleach (oxygen bleach) or regular bleach for whites. Once the garment has been washed, review the stained area and see if it needs an additional wash cycle before drying it as drying it can potentially set the stain if it hasn’t been fully cleared out.
Blot up the impacted area on your carpet or upholstery right away using a paper towel or clean microfiber towel. Make sure not to rub in the stain. Just gently blot placing light pressure to get the staining liquid to transfer to the dry towel. Acting quickly is key to help prevent the stain from setting!
Pour a little bit of sparkling water or club soda on the area. Blot that up again as well. Once it is more or less on its way to dry, then pour a healthy mound of baking soda over the affected area. Let that sit overnight until it has had a chance to pull up the moisture below. Then vacuum up the remaining mixture. This will help to pull the staining components out of the carpet for good. If you still see a hint of the stain, you can pour a little bit of white vinegar diluted with warm water and dish soap onto the area. Let that sit for a few minutes and then lightly dab that up with a towel.
If you happen to get some chocolate on your clothes or your home’s carpet during Valentine’s Day activities, then we can help! First, start by removing any excess chocolate chunks by scraping the area with a credit card or dull knife. Use a paper towel at the same time to catch the chunks as they are scrapped off. You may need to cool it down with an ice cube or ice pack to make it easier to scrape off without melting.
When working with carpet or fabric, make sure you do a patch test before using any cleaning detergents! Combine 2 tablespoons of liquid concentrated dish soap to 1 cup of warm water. Mix well. Using a spoon, gently apply the solution to the affected area. Let that sit for about 10 minutes. Blot up the remaining moisture with dry paper towels or cleaning cloths. You may have to repeat the soapy water blotting step a few times before it is completely clear. If the chocolate still doesn’t seem to be coming up, then consult your local cleaning professional like 208 Cleaning! We would love to help!
For The Road
Valentine's Day can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be! With a little preparation you can be ready for anything that comes your way this year. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!