Expert Reveals Common Christmas Stains and How to Tackle Them

The holiday season is full of gatherings that make it difficult to avoid encountering spilled items and sticky messes. From Christmas tree sap to spilled wine, our couches, rugs, and carpets are at risk of stains that may last a lifetime if not treated properly.

Google searches for “red wine stain removal” have increased by over 2,000% in the last 7 days as people try to stay proactive and inform themselves on how to clean up messes and prevent stains.

We chatted with an expert over at Land of Rugs who has revealed the best tips for tackling common Christmas Stains to prevent the most damage possible.

Red Wine

Be quick and get to the spill right away to get the best results possible
Keep the area wet; allowing it to dry will only help the color set
Begin blotting the edges of the stain since the border is the first part to dry
Use a mixture of 3 parts hydrogen peroxide and 1 part dishwashing liquid to fully wash out the mixture

Candy

Moisten the candy with cold water to soften the grip between it and the carpet or rug
Once you are able to, pull the candy off the rug
Blot the area with a cleaning solution or vinegar
Continue blotting with water until the area is rinsed
Blot to dry

Christmas Tree Sap

Use ice to harden the sap; will take about 10 minutes
Once it is hardened, you can scrape it off with your fingers or a plastic utensil
If you are unable to harden it, try using oil-based soap or rubbing alcohol to easily remove the sap

Candle Wax

Wax on tablecloths can be removed by using a hair dryer to warm the wax
You may also use a knife to scrape away the larger chunks of wax
Once the wax is warm it can easily be removed with a cloth
After the wax is removed, dab rubbing alcohol on the stain until it disappears

Butter

Remove excess butter from the area using a paper towel and water
Add baking soda or talcum powder to the area to help absorb the butter
Blot it in using a paper towel and water
You may even leave the baking soda on the area overnight to help it absorb more of the butter
Continue blotting until the area is rinsed

Hot Chocolate

Get to the mess right away and soak up as much as you can with a cloth
Use water to take out more of the hot chocolate and follow it with a mixture of warm water and liquid soap
Repeat this process until the stain is out and use plain water to blot

Tackling stains doesn’t have to be difficult this holiday season. Remember that you can easily remove stains using simple household ingredients.

Preserve your couches, rugs, and carpets by following these simple steps, and you will be able to enjoy your holiday festivities more knowing you won't be left with lifelong stains.