Susan M. Morgan, CFCS, M.Ed.
County Extension Agent
Family and Consumer Education
Bolivia, NC 28422
November 2004

When you serve Thanksgiving dinner, there will probably be more than turkey leftovers. For those inevitable stains left behind, follow these guidelines for stain removal. Remember to treat and wash all stains promptly. The longer a stain sits on a fabric, the more difficult it will be to remove.

• Wax stains — Use a dull knife to scrape off surface wax. Place stain between paper towels and press with a warm iron, transferring the wax to the towels. Continue using clean towels, until the wax no longer transfers. Then place stain face down on another clean paper towel and sponge with a prewash stain remover; Blot with paper towels, let dry then launder.

• Turkey, gravy, butter and salad dressings — These oil based stains should be pretreated with a prewash stain remover, then laundered with the hottest water that's safe for the fabric.

• Cranberry sauce, apple cider, and pumpkin pie — These are fruit based stains, the stain it's most important to treat immediately. Remove excess fruit and then run the fabric under cold water. Use the warmest water possible and the type of bleach that's safe to use on the particular fabric.

• Coffee, tea, wine and soft drinks — Beverage stains should be soaked or sponged with cool water. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover or liquid laundry detergent. Launder with an oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach (if it's safe for the fabric you are treating).

• Colorful cakes and desserts — Actually, this type of stain is food coloring stain. These should be sponged promptly with cool water. If this doesn't remove the stain, soak the stain in cool water for at least 30 minutes. After soaking, pretreat with a prewash stain remover or liquid laundry detergent, then launder.

Keep these guidelines handy. You may need them again in a month when you celebrate Christmas.

For additional household cleaning information, request the Extension publication entitled Reducing Hazardous Products in the Home (FCS-368-2) from the Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Bolivia. This publication contains recipes for home-made cleaners that are less expensive and can be made at home, to clean drains, furniture, aluminum, brass, chrome, stainless steel, ovens, toilet bowls, and sinks.

Susan Morgan is Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Education for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Brunswick County. For more information or questions, contact Susan at 253-2610 or P. O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422.

Please e-mail Susan Morgan, CFCS, County Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Education for further information or assistance.

The information presented is for educational purposes only. References to trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service is implied.

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This site is maintained by Kathy Walters.
URL Address: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/brunswick/
Date Created 11/18/2004