DIY Network

Cloth Napkins and Stains Cloth Napkins and Stains From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-116

Nothing looks sadder on a beautifully set table than stained or dingy linens. But how do you remove some of the most persistent stains? Here are a few ideas.

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	Figure A
	Figure B

• Red stains, including wine, soft drinks, cranberry juice and fruit punch: Pour white wine on the stain as soon as possible (figure A). The proteins that cause the stain are the same in both wines but are different colors; this allows the white wine proteins to neutralize the red wine proteins. Launder as usual.

• Grease: Scrape off any excess, then spray with WD-40 (figure B). Grease will remove grease. Work in liquid dish soap fortified with grease cutters to ensure that no oil spot is left on the napkin. Set aside and launder as usual.

• Coffee: Pour club soda on the stain; the carbonation in the soda will start to bubble it up. Do this immediately. If you don't have club soda available, flush the stain with cool water. Launder as usual.

• Lipstick: Spray with WD-40, wait 10 minutes, then work in undiluted liquid dish soap. Launder as usual.