8 Tips for Stain-Free Holidays

A big part of the holiday season is all the food. But unfortunately, one of the best parts is also the messiest part. Nothing puts a damper on a holiday like red wine spills, melted butter and potatoes missing the plate. At Clean, fixing your spills is what we’re best at, so you can eat and sleep peacefully knowing all your mishaps won’t mean the end of your favorite comfy sweater. Here are 8 tips to keep your holiday season nice and clean, straight from our expert team that has seen every stain under the sun:

1. Try stemless wine glasses.

We know, not the most proper – but trust us, red wine stains are almost a given when you’re having a great dinner and a great time. Use stemless wine glasses if your family gets a little rowdy, especially when there are kiddos around. Stemless glasses are less top-heavy and don’t get as easily knocked over. Like these stemless wine options from CB2. Much less likely to get spilled, and they’re nice and sleek!

2. Prep like a pro – do it the night before.

All the best chefs do it. Chopping, grating, slicing, etc. This helps you keep cooking not only timely, but less overwhelming. Plus, it makes for a prettier pie. Less stress means less mess. 

3. Utilize your space efficiently and productively.

Nothing is worse than scrambling for measuring spoons while your dough gets over-mixed and you trip over your dog. Use that space productively. Separate ingredients into prep bowls, get every ingredient out and measured beforehand, and keep your four-legged, hungry friends out of the kitchen (and maybe give them some treats later to make up for it!).

4. Don’t let those stains stay.

They happen. They’re a part of life. The possibilities are endless, so here’s a list of common cooking stains and how to get rid of them. Schedule a pickup with us for the if you feel that this treatment isn’t effective. Stains are like bugs – if you let them hang out for too long, they won’t go away, so remember to never let stains sit – treat them as soon as possible or you may not be able to ever fix it.

5. Never rub!

As Clean’s CEO always says, “Blot, NEVER rub.” Rubbing wears out and damages fabric, and in many cases, pushes the stain deeper. For interiors, like couches or carpets, think twice before dousing the stain in cleaner or water. Soaking stains can cause them to bleed to other parts of the textile, or deep within the padding. 

6. Grease stains – enemy no. 1.

Butter, drippings from meat, oil – the stains that never cease. They stick around forever and are insanely hard to lift. We know some ways to combat them, though. Blot the stain immediately, and use salt to soak up whatever possible. Then, use dish soap (sounds weird, but they’re made to lift grease) to spot-treat. Rinse on the hottest setting, if possible. Some garments don’t do well in hot water, so read the care labels carefully, do what you can, then send it to us!

7. Have the essentials on hand.

It never hurts to be prepared! There are some universal essentials you should always keep around – Dawn Dish Soap, white vinegar, club soda, baking soda, white paper towels (nothing with dye) and a spray bottle. Trust us. They come in handy.

8. For the delicates like silk or cashmere…

These pieces are finicky, and usually, pricy. It’s a good idea to send them to the cleaners as soon as possible. We’re here to help you out. 

And finally, we’re thankful to be here to help keep you and your family clean and prepared for all the holidays to come. We always want to give you the best advice we can, so you can get dirty, and make sure you have all the resources on deck to keep clean.

You help us continue our tradition of giving New York City the highest-quality cleaning it deserves. No matter how small the gathering this year, we wish you a fun, restful and healthy holiday. Stay clean.