Helpful Holiday Stain Removal Tips & More For Busy Moms

This month happens to probably be one of the busiest months of the year from me. Not only do I have a ton of things on my “To Do List” for my business, I also have to shop for gifts for my family, attend holiday events, bake holiday treats and so much more.  When you have 4 kids living at home, things can be a little hectic.

One thing that can be frustrating during this time of year is STAINS. I don’t know a single person that enjoys getting a stain on their clothes, especially if it is something they really enjoy wearing. One thing you will want to always remember when it comes to stains is to READ the LABEL. You will want to always read the care instructions on your garments before you try to remove a stain or put it in the washing machine. If you have a stain you really want to get rid of, be sure to avoid the dryer until the stain is removed otherwise the heat will set it in. Most stains can be removed, or at least greatly minimized if you can get to it quickly.

One thing I know removes stains well is Dawn. I know it doesn’t work for everything, but it does help to remove a large amount of stains if you use a little elbow grease. If you have a stain you don’t know how to remove, be sure to visit Whirlpool’s Stain Assist to help find tips on how to remove your stain. For those that tend to get messy during the holidays, here are a few stain fighting tips you might want to remember:

• Cranberry sauce slip off the spoon? Remove any excess fruit from the cotton and run the fabric under cold water to prevent oxidation. Wash the garment in the warmest water safe for it. Use your bleach dispenser or add liquid chlorine bleach or color-safe bleach during the rinse cycle, after your detergent has done its job.
• Turkey a bit too juicy? Apply a pretreat to the oily stain, or rub liquid detergent directly into it. Wash the garment in the hottest water safe for the fabric, then air dry and check it for any remaining stain. If necessary, repeat the procedure before placing the clothing in the dryer.
• Overflow from the gravy boat? Scrape off any remaining gravy with a spoon or back of a butter knife. If it has already dried, brush off the residue. Rub in liquid detergent and then soak the fabric in a mixture of detergent and water for up to 30 minutes. Finish by washing the garment in the warmest water safe for it.

Here are some other tips for the holiday that you might want to use:

• Wax drip on your candle holders? In order to remove the wax, simply dip the item in boiling water to help soften the wax, remove what you can, and then repeat the process until all wax is removed. Place the washable candle holders in the dishwasher for cleaning and to get that final sparkle!
• If you haven’t used your holiday dishes since last year, take advantage of the rinse cycle on your dishwasher to refresh your holiday dishes once they have been pulled out of storage.
• Using some winter squash in your recipes? To make it easier to cut in half, place in the microwave and heat for about 2 minutes on high power on each side. To continue cooking in the microwave, scoop out the seeds. Place 1 tablespoon of water into the space where the seeds were. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the oven. Cook for 10-12 minutes on high, depending on size. Let stand 2-3 minutes.

Got some stain removal or holiday tips you want to share? Leave me a comment below:

“I wrote this review while participating in a Blog Tour for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Whirlpool. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.”