Holiday Stains

As the holiday season comes to an end, you may find customers coming to you for advice on how to remove various stains from their clothes, including eggnog and gravy.

When advising customers on the removal of stains, let them know that you are a professional drycleaner who has experience in the removal of these stains. Emphasize that customers follow the care label and that drycleanable items should always be handled by professionals. As for other washable items, remember to tell your customers that before they attempt any stain removal treatment, they must first test the product for colorfastness. This can be done by applying the product to an inconspicuous area. If the color is damaged, the product should not be used.

Eggnog and gravy stains are protein stains and should be treated the same way.

First, blot the stain with cold water and a mild detergent. If the stain remains, take a small amount of the detergent and mix with regular household ammonia (the non-sudsing type) to form a paste and apply to the stained area. Let stand for five to 10 minutes, then launder as usual. If the stain remains, use an enzyme presoak or a detergent that contains enzymes and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.