Tackling Thanksgiving Food Stains: Easy Tips to Save Your Holiday Clothes!
Thanksgiving brings together family, friends, and some seriously delicious food—but with all that eating, spills are bound to happen! Turkey drippings, cranberry sauce, or pumpkin pie—sometimes they land on more than our plates. Don’t let stains from your holiday feast ruin your favorite outfits! Here are some handy tips to handle those stains at home, or swing by Newberg Coin Laundry for our wash and fold service to make cleanup a breeze.
1. Gravy and Butter Stains
Gravy adds flavor, but those oily drips are a recipe for laundry disaster. Here’s a quick fix:
- Blot First: Blot the stain with a paper towel to absorb as much oil as possible. (Don’t rub, or you’ll spread it!)
- Sprinkle with Baking Soda or Cornstarch: This will soak up excess grease. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then shake it off.
- Dish Soap Magic: Apply a drop of dish soap and let it sit for a few minutes before washing. Dish soap is designed to cut through oil, making it perfect for this job!
2. Cranberry Sauce Spots
This holiday classic is delicious but notorious for bright, stubborn stains.
- Flush with Cold Water: Rinse the stain with cold water as soon as possible to prevent it from setting.
- Vinegar & Baking Soda Combo: Mix equal parts vinegar and baking soda into a paste and gently rub it into the stain. Rinse and repeat if needed, then wash on cold.
- Need a Break? Let Newberg Coin Laundry handle it! Our wash and fold service will take care of any stubborn cranberry stains while you relax.
3. Pumpkin Pie Smudges
Whether it’s a dollop of pumpkin or a bit of whipped cream, these stains need a bit of special attention.
- Scoop Off Excess: Use a spoon to gently lift any extra pumpkin without rubbing it in further.
- Soak in Cold Water with Detergent: Cold water helps prevent the stain from setting, and a bit of detergent breaks down proteins and oils in the pie.
- Wash as Usual: Pop it in for a regular wash, checking to make sure the stain is gone before drying.
4. Wine Spills
Nothing says “holiday gathering” quite like a glass of wine—until it lands on your clothes!
- Blot with Cold Water: Absorb as much wine as possible without spreading the stain.
- Salt or Baking Soda to the Rescue: Sprinkle salt or baking soda on the stain to absorb the wine, then rinse with cold water.
- Vinegar & Detergent: Apply a mix of white vinegar and liquid detergent, let sit for a few minutes, then wash on cold.
5. Stuffing and Sides
Whether it’s a sage stuffing, buttery mashed potatoes, or green bean casserole, these sides often leave a mix of oils and colors on clothes.
- Pre-Treat with Dish Soap: Just like with gravy, a drop of dish soap can work wonders. Rub it in, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
- Wash on Warm: For heavily oiled stains, warm water helps lift the stain away. Check before drying to ensure the stain is gone.
Let Newberg Laundry Help with Our Wash and Fold Service!
Between prepping food, hosting family, and cleaning up, the holidays are busy enough. If you’d rather skip the post-Thanksgiving laundry marathon, let us handle it! With our wash and fold service, we’ll take care of all those food stains while you relax and enjoy the holiday. Just bring in your laundry, and we’ll handle the sorting, stain-treating, and folding.
Wishing You a Clean and Happy Thanksgiving!
From all of us at Newberg Laundry, we hope your holiday season is full of love, laughter, and delicious meals—minus the stress of laundry! With locations in Newberg, Springfield, and McMinnville, we’re here to help you tackle any laundry challenge that comes your way.
