How to Clean Up Stains After a Thanksgiving Dinner.

Cleaning Up After Thanksgiving Day Spills and Stains

You know any time you get family and friends together for the Thanksgiving holiday, Thanksgiving Day spills and stains are bound to happen. Between gravy boats, cranberry sauce, and full glasses of wine, it’s almost inevitable that something will hit the tablecloth, carpet, or someone’s favorite shirt. Cleaning up after Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be stressful – with quick action and the right cleaning methods, you can tackle any mess before it becomes a permanent reminder of the feast.

Below are the most common foods and drinks shared during Thanksgiving dinner and how to clean them – should they get spilled.

General Stain Cleaning Tips

• When cleaning carpet stains, never rub at the stain – this spreads it deeper into the fibers.
• After cleaning carpets, cover the area until completely dry to prevent re-staining or dirt tracking.
• For laundry, always check before drying – heat can permanently set stains.
• When in doubt, blot, rinse, and repeat rather than scrub.
• Keep a small “holiday stain kit” nearby with club soda, paper towels, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap.

How to Remove Wine Stains

Removing Red Wine Stains with Club Soda

Wine is one of those things that’s bound to get spilled. When you’re walking around chatting, an arm gets bumped and – there it goes – red wine on the carpet or tablecloth.

Cleaning Red Wine Stains from Carpets

Club soda, a holiday cocktail staple, doubles as a quick emergency cleaner.

1. Blot up as much of the spill as possible using a clean cloth or paper towels.
2. Pour a small amount of club soda directly on the stain. The carbonation helps lift the pigment from carpet fibers.
3. Blot again with a clean section of towel, pressing down firmly.
4. Repeat until no more color comes up.
5. If a trace remains, mix 3 parts hydrogen peroxide with 1 part dishwashing liquid. Apply lightly, let sit 20 minutes, then rinse and blot dry. (Always test first in a hidden spot.)

Removing Red Wine Stains from Clothing

If wine splashes on clothing, quickly blot with a clean cloth dampened with club soda. Continue with this until the stain fades.

If possible, rinse the fabric under hot water (as hot as the fabric allows) – hot water works wonders on fruit-based stains like wine and juice.

How to Remove Cranberry Sauce Stains

Cranberry sauce might taste amazing, but it’s one of the most notorious Thanksgiving Day stains because of its deep red color.

Cleaning Cranberry Stains from a Tablecloth

1. Remove any remaining bits of cranberry.
2. Rinse with the hottest water the fabric can handle.
3. Carefully pour boiling water over the stained area in the sink.
4. If the stain lingers, soak the cloth in hot water with 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent for about 60 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly and launder as usual – but don’t machine dry until the stain is gone.

Removing Cranberry Sauce from the Carpet

1. Pick up solids and blot up any remaining moisture.
2. Mix 1 cup warm water + 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap.
3. Lightly pour or dab onto the stain, working gently with a toothbrush or your fingers.
4. Blot dry with a clean towel.
5. Cover the area until fully dry.

For Older Cranberry Stains

If you find a dried cranberry stain later, try 3% hydrogen peroxide:

• Pour lightly on the stain.
• Cover with a clean towel for about an hour.
• Check progress and repeat if necessary.

Hydrogen peroxide naturally breaks down into water when exposed to light, so keep the area covered while working.

Cleaning Up Gravy and Butter Spills on Clothing

Gravy and butter – two essentials of Thanksgiving – are rich, greasy, and cling to fabric.

1. Blot up any excess grease or gravy with paper towels (front and back of fabric).
2. Apply a small amount of dishwashing liquid directly to the spot.
3. Gently rub the fabric together or use your fingers to work in the detergent.
4. Let it sit in cold water for 30 minutes.
5. Rinse well, repeat if needed, and wash as usual.

If you’re a guest, dab the stain with a bit of Dawn dish soap and rinse with cool water when you get home before laundering.

Other Common Thanksgiving Day Spills and Stains

• Pumpkin pie or sweet potato stains: Scrape off solids, then soak in cold water mixed with a small amount of detergent. Enzyme-based cleaners work well on starchy residues.
• Coffee or tea spills: Blot, then treat with a solution of 1 tablespoon white vinegar + 1 cup warm water.
• Chocolate stains: Scrape off residue, rinse with cold water, and apply dish soap or a laundry pre-treater before washing.
• Grease stains on the tablecloth: Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch to absorb oils before laundering.

Thanksgiving Day Spills and Stains

Thanksgiving is about good food and great company – not stress over a few mishaps. Knowing how to handle Thanksgiving Day spills and stains quickly and confidently means you can relax and enjoy the holiday. Keep some basic cleaning supplies handy, act fast when accidents happen, and you’ll be able to say goodbye to stains before the leftovers are even put away.