The Bane of Stains: Gravy

One of the main things most Americans like to do during this time of the year is eat. A lot. Traditionally, there are at least three opportunities to attend social gatherings which include feasting on a large quantity of prepared foods. One of the things people love to eat is meat – whether it’s turkey, ham, or… is that a turducken? Wow, you went all out, didn’t you?

However, depending on which relative cooked the meat, it might need something to add moisture back in the mix. That’s where gravy comes into the picture. But when you slather on a spoonful of that special ingredient, some of it might escape off the ladle and on to the carpet.

What is Gravy?

Gravy is a sauce made from pan drippings as the meat is cooked with flour and fat added. Sometimes seasonings or even a veggie or two might find their way in. Gravy can be white, yellow, or brown, depending on the meat drippings and how long you cook it – which could make cleanup harder if its color matches your carpet. However, gravy enhances the flavor of whatever it’s put on, be it meat, rice, noodles, hash browns, or even waffles – hey, don’t knock it ‘till you’ve tried it.

How can you quickly keep this gravy spill from staining your carpet? The type of meat, spices, and other flavorings all complicate the mixture, so some gravy spills are easier to clean than others. Even so, it needs to be removed promptly. Use a flat surface to scoop up what you can. Sprinkle some baking soda, cornstarch or other absorbent onto the stain. Let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes, then vacuum the area, slowly but thoroughly. This won’t remove everything, but it will get a significant amount out of the way.

Time for the Wetworks

Begin by adding a quarter tablespoon of dish soap (sans bleach or lanolin) with a quart of water in a bowl. Use a clean white cloth to apply the mixture, using a blotting motion to work the detergent into the stain. If the gravy is coming up with the towel, rinse and repeat until there is no more transference. Use a spray bottle to rinse the area with water. If the stain persists, try adding half a teaspoon of white vinegar to the dish soap mix, and repeat the process. Lightly spray with water to rinse, blot the area, and apply a pad of weighed-down paper towels to soak up the rinse. Check the stain in an hour.

When You Need Our Help

Depending on how aggressive the feasting becomes, you might have more stains in the same general vicinity. It might be prudent to contact Preferred Carpet Care on the phone, or here on our website, so we can remove all the stains in one fell swoop. Once we get all the carpet cleaning done for you, the rest will be gravy.