The party was a hit. The playlist was perfect, the appetizers were delicious, and the conversation was witty. But now, the sun is coming in the window, and your house looks terrible. Is that a cranberry juice ring? How did a cocktail shrimp end up behind the couch?

While it’s tempting to avoid the issue, there’s no time like the present to deal with stains. To keep your home and your furniture looking like a party never happened, you need a game plan.

Assessment

Before you panic, know that most stains look worse than they are. It’s time to act quickly but gently. 

How-to: Post-party stains 

Let’s check out a quick list of how to fix common stain issues:

  • Red wine on carpet: If it’s still wet, blot (don't rub) with a clean white cloth. Pour a little club soda or cold water on it and keep blotting. If it’s stubborn, mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water. Blot the stain until it disappears.
  • Ring marks on wood: Someone forgot a coaster? Don't worry. If the ring is white (meaning the moisture is trapped in the wax or polish), try using a hairdryer on a low setting. Hover it over the spot to dry the moisture out. If that doesn’t work, a tiny dab of non-gel toothpaste rubbed gently with a cloth usually helps.
  • Upholstery stains: For food stains, use a dry method first. Sprinkle baking soda over the spot to soak up oils, let it sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum.
  • Candle wax: Let the wax harden completely. You can speed this up by placing the item in the freezer or putting an ice cube in a plastic bag over the drip. Once hard, scrape off the excess with a dull knife. To remove the residue, place a clean cloth over the spot and run a warm iron on a low setting over it. The heat will melt the remaining wax, transferring it from the fabric to the cloth.
  • Greasy food: Sprinkle the area with baking soda or salt and let it sit for 15 minutes to soak up the grease, then vacuum it up. For any remaining mark, use a damp cloth with a bit of grease-cutting dish soap and gently blot.
  • Hot drinks like coffee and tea: Mix liquid dish soap, white vinegar, and cool water. Use a white cloth to blot the stain until it disappears.
  • Chocolate: Mix dishwashing liquid with cold water. Use a clean cloth to blot the area until no more chocolate transfers to the cloth. Avoid using warm water initially, as heat can cook the protein in the chocolate and set the stain.

Call the professionals

If the cleanup feels like too much, remember … you don’t have to do it alone. The best way to recover from a big event is to let professionals help.

At Merry Maids, we offer a professional house cleaning experience backed by decades of expertise. With us, you’re choosing:

 The fun of a party is worth the trouble of stains – especially when you know how to take care of them! Here’s to the next party!