Tips, Tips and More Tips from November 2010

Stain-removal tips for your Thanksgiving tablecloth and other linens (some of these suggestions cannot be used on colored cloths):

• Candle wax: Harden the wax by putting a sandwich bag filled with ice on it. Scrape off as much wax as possible with a spatula or dull knife. Put the tablecloth between two pieces of a brown paper bag and iron the “sandwich” on low heat until the wax melts into the paper. Wash the tablecloth with detergent.
• Butter or mayonnaise: Apply cleaning fluid or spot remover to the spot, then wash the tablecloth with detergent.
• Coffee: Soak in a mixture of one part white vinegar and four parts water. After a day, hang the cloth in the sun.
• Tea: Soak in a mixture of one cup water and one teaspoon borax. Rinse in very hot, even boiling, water.
• Red wine: Wet with club soda or distilled water to dilute the wine. Stretch the tablecloth over a bowl. Hold a kettleful of boiling water about 2 feet above the spot and pour the water. Wash. Do not put a stained piece in the dryer; heat will set the stain. Try the treatment several times. If these methods are not successful, try a spot remover like “Shout.” But remember, old fabrics could be damaged by some new stain-removal products.