Thanksgiving is about togetherness, comfort food, and those warm family moments that make the house feel alive. But let’s be real — it’s also the season of cranberry splatters, gravy drips, and that one guest who always spills red wine on your favorite tablecloth.
Don’t worry — Paradise Laundry has your back. Whether you’re washing at home, visiting one of our spotless locations, or using our Wash-Dry-Fold service through Aloha Wash N Wear, these tips will help you keep your linens and clothes looking fresh long after the feast.
The Big Three: Cranberry, Gravy, and Wine Stains
1. Cranberry Sauce
It’s festive, it’s delicious, and it stains faster than you can say “pass the turkey.”
Start by scraping off any excess cranberry, then rinse the fabric under cold running water. Mix a solution of one tablespoon of white vinegar and one tablespoon of dish soap in two cups of cold water. Gently blot the stain with a clean cloth until it fades.
Avoid rubbing — cranberry pigments love to dig in deeper when agitated.
2. Gravy and Grease
Gravy stains are a Thanksgiving classic. They’re rich, oily, and cling to fabric like glue.
Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch over the fresh spill to absorb the grease, then let it sit for about 10 minutes. Brush off the powder and rinse with warm (not hot) water. Pretreat the spot with a bit of liquid detergent before tossing it in the wash.
At Paradise Laundry, our ozone rinse helps break down these tough, greasy residues naturally, so your table linens and napkins come out feeling truly clean.
3. Red Wine
When wine hits the tablecloth, don’t panic — act fast.
Blot (never rub!) the area with a clean towel to soak up as much as possible. Pour a little club soda or white wine over the spot to dilute the stain, then continue blotting. Afterward, rinse in cold water and treat with a stain remover before washing.
Pro tip: Don’t apply heat until you’re sure the stain is gone — high heat can “set” red wine stains permanently.
Bonus Round: Pumpkin, Butter, and Coffee
Pumpkin Pie & Squash
Pumpkin is protein-based, so cold water is key. Rinse first, then soak the fabric in a mixture of cool water and a few drops of enzyme-based detergent. Wash in warm water only after the stain fades.
Butter & Oil
Like gravy, butter stains benefit from an absorbent powder treatment first (cornstarch or baking soda). Follow up with a gentle detergent soak. Paradise Laundry’s ozone rinse will tackle any lingering oil residue, restoring that crisp, clean feel.
Coffee
We get it — mornings after the holiday feast require caffeine. For coffee spills, mix one tablespoon of vinegar and one tablespoon of dish soap in two cups of cold water, blot the stain, and rinse well before washing.
Why Ozone is the Secret to Holiday Laundry Success
The best part? You don’t have to fight stains and odors alone.
At Paradise Laundry, every wash includes our free ozone sanitizing rinse, which eliminates bacteria, odors, and stubborn residues — even the invisible ones that detergents can’t touch.
Cooking smells, food particles, and lingering smoke from roasting or frying can cling to fabrics. Ozone naturally disinfects and deodorizes, leaving your linens and clothing not just clean, but truly fresh. It’s safe, eco-friendly, and gentle on fabrics — a holiday win for your laundry and the planet.
Hosting Made Easy: Drop Off Your Linens
Between hosting, cooking, and cleaning, laundry should be the last thing on your to-do list. That’s where our Wash-Dry-Fold service, powered by Aloha Wash N Wear, comes in.
Simply drop off your tablecloths, napkins, or guest linens, and we’ll wash, dry, and fold them to perfection — sanitized, fresh, and ready before your guests arrive.
Need even more convenience? Schedule a pickup and delivery and enjoy the hands-free comfort of knowing your laundry is handled while you prep for the big day.
A Few Quick Tips for Holiday Laundry Prep
- Sort before the chaos. Keep a separate basket for table linens and cloth napkins so you can wash them together.
- Avoid fabric softeners. They can leave a residue on tablecloths, making stains harder to remove later.
- Choose cold water cycles for stains. Heat can lock in pigments and proteins before you’ve had a chance to treat them.
- Dry carefully. Air drying is best for delicates and decorative linens to avoid shrinking or fading.
This Thanksgiving, Keep It Fresh (and Stress-Free)
The holidays are meant to be enjoyed — not spent scrubbing stains or stressing over laundry piles. With Paradise Laundry’s state-of-the-art machines, free ozone rinse, and Wash-Dry-Fold services, you can focus on what really matters: great food, good company, and a home that feels (and smells) amazing.
Drop off your laundry before the big meal or stop by after the feast. We’ll take care of the mess — you just enjoy the memories.