Serving a salad as either an appetizer or a main course is a healthy option for you and your guests. But it can be upsetting to discover a salad dressing stain on your tablecloth, especially if it is a fancy, thin tablecloth. Yet some tried-and-true methods can save the day and your tablecloth. Does this Spark an idea?
Pre-treatment
The quicker you catch the stain, the more likely that a pre-treatment will save your tablecloth. If any salad dressing is still on the tablecloth, scrape it off immediately. Since salad dressings are oil based, soak the tablecloth in warm water in either the sink or bathtub for 30 minutes.
If you still see the stain after 30 minutes, put a store bought stain remover on the stain. Allow it soak according to package directions. Launder according to the directions on the table cloth. Allow the table cloth to air dry.
Degreaser
If the pre-treatment didn't work or if the stain has been sitting for more than a few hours, you will need to use a degreaser to remove the salad dressing. Dish washing liquid, which you use to hand-wash dishes, works quite well and is available at your local store. If your tablecloth is older, thin or delicate, you will want to dilute the dish washing liquid with water, to at least 50 percent dish washing liquid or possibly down to 25 percent dish washing liquid.
Put the dish washing liquid directly onto the table cloth and agitate it slightly using a toothbrush or something similar. Allow the dish washing liquid to sit on the stain for a few minutes. Wash the dish washing liquid off with fresh water. Launder according to directions on the tablecloth and air dry it.
Dry Cleaning solution
If neither of the above methods has removed the stain, you can try to use a dry cleaning solution. Several are available in your local store or online. This method is not recommended for older, thin or delicate tablecloths. Place the tablecloth on a table with paper towels covering the area. Follow the directions on the dry cleaning solution. Make sure to replace the paper towels as they soak up the excess dry cleaning solution. Thoroughly rinse off the dry cleaning solution before washing the table cloth. Launder the tablecloth according to its directions and allow to air dry.
Other Notes
If none of the above methods has worked, you will need to take your tablecloth to a professional dry cleaner. They have some methods available that you do not have and are prepared to deal with older, thin and delicate items.
Never dry your tablecloth in the dryer until you are sure the stain has been removed. The heat from the dryer can cause the stain to set permanently. With any of these methods, air dry the tablecloth to make sure the stain has been removed.
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