Stain Removal 101: Cleaning Cranberry Juice Stains

Everyone can benefit from a basic knowledge of stain removal techniques. If you enjoy serving or drinking cranberry juice, either plain, mixed into a cocktail, or in some other capacity, be aware of the possibility of that cranberry juice spilling in your home. Cranberry juice is a dark red color and is notorious for staining items such as furniture, clothing, rugs, and carpets. However, if you act quickly to remove the stain, you may be able to get rid of any trace of the cranberry juice. Follow the steps below to eliminate cranberry juice stains from most surfaces.

Step 1 - Clean Up Any Spilled Juice

If you're working to clean up cranberry juice that just spilled, the first step is to clean up as much of the juice as possible before it can set in the fibers of furniture or carpet. Use paper towels to blot the surface on which the juice spilled; do not rub the juice into the surface, as this can spread the stain and make it more difficult to eliminate. Continue to blot the stained area until the paper towels come up dry.

Step 2 - Treat With Boiling Water

If the stain is on a thin piece of fabric or linen, like a couch cover or a curtain, remove the item and stretch it taut over a sink. Have an assistant boil a pot of water on the stove, and then carefully pour the boiling water over the stain. In many cases, the heat of the water and the water itself will help to remove the stain from the surface of the item. Continue to pour very hot water over the stain for several minutes or until the stain is faded and removed.

Step 3 - Mix Up a Detergent Solution

Mix 4 parts water to 2 parts vinegar and 1 part liquid dish detergent. Soak the entire item that has the stain on it in this mixture for about 15 minutes. Then thoroughly wash out the item with cold water. Examine the stain; if it remains, allow it to soak in the detergent solution for another 15 minutes, and repeat the washing process.

Step 4 - Blot the Carpet

If the cranberry juice has spilled on a carpet, mix together 1 part liquid dish detergent with 2 parts cold water. Dip a sponge into the solution and wring it out so that there isn't any solution dripping from it. Dab the stained area of the carpet repeatedly with the sponge. Continue for 15 minutes or until the stain has been removed.

Step 5 - Use Bleach and Ammonia

Treat stains on a linoleum surface with a small amount of bleach, mixed in with a cup of water. Be very careful when using bleach, as it can discolor other surfaces as well.

If the cranberry juice is spilled on an upholstered surface, mix a tablespoon of white vinegar in with 2/3 of a cup of ammonia, and use that the blot out the stain.