Once the Black Friday shopping frenzy fades and the festive season officially begins, your home often bears the marks of all the excitement: coffee rings, wine drips, gravy spots, and mysterious carpet smudges that weren’t there before. That’s where a good post-holiday stain removal plan comes in handy. Whether you host a small gathering or a full house of guests, these quick, practical tips will help you tackle common spills and stains with confidence.
1. Red wine on fabric or carpets (blotting technique)
Few stains strike fear like red wine, but with the right approach, you can save your couch or carpet. This technique relies on quick absorption:
- Action 1 (Blot): Blot (don’t rub) the area immediately with paper towels to soak up as much liquid as possible.
- Action 2 (Absorb): Sprinkle salt or simple baking soda or salt over the stain to absorb the rest.
- Action 3 (Rinse): After 10–15 minutes, dab gently with a mix of cold water and dish soap.
This classic post-holiday stain removal trick helps treat fabrics with care and prevents permanent discolouration. Your efforts will help revive your carpets to their former glory.
2. Grease and gravy stains
From roast dinners to braai sides, oily stains are inevitable. Follow this two-step absorption process:
- Action 1 (Absorb): Sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder over the spot and let it sit for 15 minutes to draw out the grease.
- Action 2 (Clean): Brush off the powder and blot with a mix of warm water and vinegar.
- Action 3 (Stubborn Spots): For extra tough spots, add a small drop of dishwashing liquid before rinsing gently.
This gentle method works wonders on tablecloths, kitchen towels, and even upholstery.
3. Coffee or tea spills (vinegar solution)
If your post-dinner chats ended with a few spilt mugs, don’t panic. This simple solution tackles the stain without leaving sticky residue:
- Mix: One tablespoon of white vinegar, one tablespoon of dish soap, and two cups of warm water.
- Apply: Dab the stain with this solution, working from the outside in.
- Finish: Rinse with clean water and blot dry with a fresh clean microfibre cloth.
For carpets, this simple post-holiday stain removal trick restores fibres and helps prevent lingering smells.
4. Chocolate smudges and dessert mishaps
Chocolate is prone to setting, so treat it carefully:
- Scrape: Scrape off any solid bits first (a butter knife works well).
- Treat: Treat the stain with a mild detergent and cool water.
- Important: Avoid using hot water; it can melt the chocolate deeper into the fabric, making the stain permanent.
If you’ve got kids or dessert lovers in the house, this one’s a must for your cleaning checklist.
When to call in Sweepsouth (the final reset)
For those stains that just won’t budge or for a full reset after entertaining, book a professional Sweepsouth clean. We connect you with trusted SweepStars who know every trick in the book for effective post-holiday stain removal, leaving your home spotless and refreshed for the season ahead.
Because every great gathering deserves an equally great clean-up.
ALSO SEE: BLACK FRIDAY BUDGETING – HOW TO PRIORITISE CLEANING AND ORGANISATION PURCHASES.
