While the company of family and friends spreads holiday joy, it can also spread stains over clothing and fabric. How do you remove common Christmas dinner stains? Pretreat red wine spots with warm water and detergent before machine washing. Use this holiday food stain removal guide so the stains of Christmas past don’t haunt your favorite clothing.

Knowing how to get food stains out of clothing is the gift that keeps on giving, saving your garments and table linens. From grease and chocolate to wine and gravy, here’s how to remove common Christmas dinner stains with quick action and the right pretreatment.

While oil and water don’t typically mix, it’s key in removing grease stains from clothing and tablecloths. As soon as possible, mix a solution of warm water and ½ your typical amount of laundry detergent. Submerge the fabric in the solution for up to 30 minutes before machine washing in warm water and your standard detergent amount.

Christmas dinner food stains like grease are hard to see on wet fabric, so make sure they’re gone before drying. Otherwise, the heat will permanently set the stain. If the spot is still there, spot treat the stain with detergent and wait 20 minutes before washing again.

Cranberry is one shade of holiday red that you don’t want to see on clothing. This crimson berry can leave behind permanent marks unless you act quickly. 

Here’s how to get cranberry sauce out of clothes :

One of our favorite holiday cooking tips recommends using a thermos to keep gravy warm before serving. However, warm or cold, this tough combination stain can be difficult to remove from fabric without the right pre-treating steps. First, scrape away as much liquid as possible before treating it with a commercial stain remover. Then, blot the stain with a damp cloth and machine wash in warm water and detergent. If the stain remains, repeat these steps before drying.

Like any celebration, Christmas day stains almost always include red wine spots. Fortunately, the right pretreatment can effectively remove drips, dribbles, and splashes before they are set.

A list of Christmas day stains wouldn’t be complete without chocolate. Remove this beloved indulgence from fabric by first scraping off any excess amounts. Gently blot the remaining stain with a cool, damp cloth. Apply a commercial stain remover or detergent and rub it into the stain before machine washing in warm water and detergent.

These beloved holiday symbols can leave behind a gummy residue if allowed to sit on clothing and table linens. How do you remove sticky candy cane stains? Leave an ice cube on the spot for 1 hour. The cold will freeze the residue so it can be easily scraped off with a butter knife. Apply your favorite commercial stain remover to the stain and soak it for at least 30 minutes before machine washing.

Christmas dinner stains will be hard to remove if your washer isn’t up to the task. Call Reliable Appliance Service when you need to fight stains with an expert washer repair !