Holiday Entertaining Can Be Tough on Tablecloths and Napkins

‘Tis the season for holiday parties and gatherings and for many consumers, time to bring out the fine china and best table linens. Unfortunately, the accidental spills and mishaps that seem to go with holiday entertaining can leave tough stains on linens.

By following a few simple cleaning tips, consumers can remove many stains without ruining linens, said Dr. Carol Centrallo, an apparel and textile management specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Treat stains immediately before they have a chance to dry or set. All stains are set with heat and age, so the sooner you attempt to remove stains the better the success for total removal. Blot or gently scrape off as much of the stain as possible. Sprinkle cornstarch or plain talcum powder on fresh stains to remove as much moisture or oil as possible. The dry powder will act like a blotter drawing the stain out of the fabric. Do not rub the powder into the fabric because rubbing may cause surface damage to dyes and fibers.

If a visible stain remains, check the care label to see whether the fabric is washable or must be dry-cleaned. If washable, spray the stain with a commercial laundry stain remover and rinse with water. Apply mild liquid soap or a paste made of granulated laundry detergent and water to the stained area and rinse again with water. Then machine wash and rinse according to label instructions.

Do not use chlorine bleach on Battenberg linens. The bleach will yellow the fabric. Pretreat stains before machine washing. You may want to presoak items to loosen stains.

Air-dry articles to be sure the stain is gone. Many times the stain appears to be gone but some of the substance remains in the fibers. The combination of heat and age oxidizes the substance and the stain reappears. Never iron the article until it has been laundered.

Soak chocolate or cocoa stains in cold water. Pretreat remaining stain and launder using the hottest water safe for the fabric. Use appropriate bleach. If the stain remains, sponge with a safe cleaning fluid. Rinse and relaunder.

To remove beverage stains such as alcohol, tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine or eggnog, sponge the stain with cool water. Pretreat the remaining stain and wash with detergent and appropriate bleach.

Grease, gravy or meat sauces can sometimes be difficult to remove. If dried, scrape off as much as possible with a dull knife or fingernail file. Soak the item in cold water. Pretreat and launder as directed on the care label.

To remove candle wax, rub the item with an ice cube and carefully scrape off excess wax with a dull knife or fingernail file. Or place the item in the freezer for an hour or so until wax hardens and becomes brittle. Place the item between several layers of paper towels and press with a warm iron. To remove remaining stain, sponge with a safe cleaning fluid. Rinse and launder.

To remove ink stains, sponge stain with rubbing alcohol or spray with a pretreat product or hair spray until wet. Rinse thoroughly. Then pretreat stain and launder in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Repeat if necessary.

Remove milk, cream and ice cream stains by soaking the stained article in cold water. Use appropriate bleach in the water. If a grease stain remains, sponge with a safe cleaning fluid. Rinse and launder.

SOURCE: Dr. Carol Centrallo, Extension Apparel and Textile Management Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-1325.

Posted by Jim Langcuster at December 16, 2004 09:41 AM