The ultimate holiday cleaning guide: Stains, candle wax, and more

At this time of year, our rules and routines tend to go out the window. There’s food in the living room, candles on every surface, and extra foot traffic throughout the entire house.

All of this amounts to a cheerful and slightly chaotic atmosphere. For us, a messy home is the sign of a successful holiday season – and a chance to clean up and welcome the new year into a fresh space.

Here, we explain how to tackle some of the most common holiday-related mishaps. So relax, pour yourself some eggnog, and get prepped for the inevitable mess that comes with festive fun.

If you need a little extra help, we’re here to make your holiday season as stress-free as possible – get in touch with our team.

holiday floor stain

How to clean candle wax

Candles set a warm and cozy mood – and hardened candle wax can destroy those good vibes instantly.

How to remove candle wax stains from hard surfaces

  1. Scrape off as much as you can with a dull knife or other slim object.
  2. Wipe the area with an absorbent cloth and a solution of warm water and baking soda or detergent.
  3. Rinse the area with clean water.
  4. Wipe with a clean, dry cloth.

How to remove candle wax stains from your carpetremove candle stains from carpet

  1. Scrape off as much as you can with a dull knife or other slim object.
  2. Vacuum the area to remove as much excess wax as possible.
  3. If it’s safe to expose your carpet to water, blot the area with a clean white cloth, warm water, and a gentle cleaning solution (such as baking soda or dish detergent).
  4. Allow to dry.

Depending on the severity of the stain, it can be difficult to get all the wax out of your carpet. Many articles online will advise you to iron the area – but doing so can quickly singe the fibres of your carpet and cause permanent damage.

Our pros can use specialized equipment to deep clean and extract stains, so you can get rid of the sticky wax and keep the good holiday memories instead.

How to clean holiday dinner stains (gravy, and wine, and tree sap, oh my!)

There’s nothing better than holiday home cooking – and there’s nothing worse than splashing holiday home cooking all over your beautiful carpet or rug!

But there’s no need to cry over spilt gravy. If you act fast, you can reduce staining and give your floor a better chance of full recovery.

From red wine stains to gravy disasters, we’ve seen our fair share of holiday-related mishaps. Before you treat a stain yourself, be sure to think about the material you’re dealing with. As a rule:

  • Silk or viscose should not be exposed to water
  • Wool should not be exposed to hot water or too much water
  • Synthetic carpets and rugs can be saturated and exposed to warm water

How to treat stains

  • Get a clean white cloth and blot the area – be sure to use a tapping motion (don’t rub the stain) and work your way from the outside inwards.
  • Repeat this process until you have absorbed as much of the liquid as possible.
  • If it’s safe to expose your carpet or rug to water, try lightly spraying on a diluted vinegar-water mix and blotting dry.
  • If your carpet or rug is a delicate material, call the experts immediately.

We can treat carpet stains in your home and bring your area rugs to our specialized facility. Either way, we’ll create a cleaning plan that’s tailored to the fibre type of your carpet or rug, for the best possible results.

How to clean Santa’s boot-prints, reindeer tracks, and other muddy footprints
Santa Claus is a busy guy, and he doesn’t always stop to take off his shoes before spreading holiday cheer throughout the house.

If your carpet is feeling the effects of muddy boots or pawprints, be sure to get on top of it as quickly as you can to prevent the fibres from being permanently stained or damaged.

How to clean up dirty footprints

how to clean up dirty footprints

  • Wait for the mud to dry and then vacuum up as much as you can – use the hose attachment to focus in on the affected area.
  • Gently loosen and scrape off remaining dirt using a spoon or dull knife, then vacuum again.
  • Repeat the scraping and vacuuming process until you’ve removed as much mud as possible.
  • If it’s okay to expose your carpet or rug to water, blot the area with a clean white cloth, warm water and gentle detergent.
  • Blot and rinse the area until the dirt is gone.

A little bit of prep can go a long way when it comes to tackling the inevitable festive messes. We wish you a safe, happy, and ultimately clean holiday season. If you need support from our team of experts, we’re here to help.

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