How to remove wine stains and other post dinner party problems

Thanksgiving dinner is something to look forward to throughout the year. After a filling and heavy meal, the last thing any of us want to do is clean up. Three of the most common Thanksgiving stains are wine, candle wax and gravy. If you have any of these stains on your napkins and tablecloths, 

WINE STAINS ON TABLECLOTH

Everything is going great until someone accidentally spills red wine on a white tablecloth; we've all been there! When it comes to wine stains, treating them quickly and effectively is important. As soon as you notice the stain, blot the table cloth to remove any excess liquid. Pouring salt on red wine can also help to absorb any excess Once the excess liquid is gone, you can flush the stain with club soda or water. If you're still having trouble with the stain, try oxy clean unless the fabric is antique or delicate. 

GRAVY BOWL STAINS

Greasy stains from a gravy bowl may seem tough to remove, but a few simple steps will have things cleaned in no time! Scrape off all of the excess gravy before treating the stain with dishwasher soap. Dishwasher soap is a great degreaser and works well when mixed with hot water. If that doesn't work, you can try enzymes to break the stain such as Tide. Once it's clear, launder as normal and repeat if necessary. 

WAX STAINS ON TABLECLOTH

When it comes to wax stains, acting quickly is important. With the help of an ironing board, you can get rid of the wax a lot easier. Put an old towel on your ironing board and scrape off as much wax as you can only to the towel. Once that's done, put the tablecloth facing up on the board. Use absorbent paper on top and iron the tablecloth. The heat will help transfer the wax to paper so that your tablecloth will be back to new. 

LIPSTICK STAINS ON NAPKINS

Thanksgiving is often a time that many guests choose to dress up and wear their favourite lipstick shade. It's common for lipstick to transfer onto napkins during dinner and while it might be painful to watch your cloth get stained, a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol will do the trick. Dampen a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and blot the stain until you notice the colour disappearing. It might take a few minutes, but stay patient and avoid rubbing the stain. Once it's completely removed, rinse the napkin under cold water and wash it as normal.

DISH AND CUTLERY CARE

Many people assume that it's better to store your silver and only use it on special occasions. However, the less you use silver the faster it will tarnish. Continue using your silverware when you can, but do not put it in the dishwasher. When it comes to putting away your dishes, place a piece of felt between plates so that you don't end up with major scratches. You can also use paper towel or round coffee filters to protect the bottom and top of each plate.