One of the downsides of having a party is waking up the next morning to find all sorts of stains and spills throughout your home. Things that you couldn't see at midnight after one too many Margaritas become all too vivid at dawn after a good strong cup of java.
A good host keeps a small supply of products handy for quickly cleaning spills and spots. But part of your job as host is to minimize the chances that a disaster will happen. Don't serve grape juice to children, don't overcrowd the table, and don't put your Austrian glass collection at a 4-year-old's eye level when 4-year-old triplets are on your guest list.
If a spill happens, calmly wipe it up, trying not to further embarrass your guest. At the table, dab up spills and place a clean napkin over the stain. If china or crystal crashes to the floor, quickly get a broom and dustpan to clean up the pieces. No pouting until the guests leave.
A good guest is careful with your furnishings and thus informs you of any spill right away. Guests should allow the host to take care of the stain. Do not try to assist or to inform her how to best remove it, since she's probably bugged at you already. The exception here is when you are with young children. Offer to clean the mess and then apologize. Mistakes happen, but apologizing is important.
So what is the weapon of choice for stain removal? Linda Cobb, author and self-proclaimed Queen of Clean, says that club soda is the best emergency stain remover around. Club soda will remove red wine, coffee, tea, Kool-Aid and soda pop -- even red varieties -- from fabrics and carpets. Cobb recommends lifting any solids off first, then pouring the club soda onto the stain. Don't be afraid to really soak the stain. Blot with an old towel until the spot is removed. Work the stain from the edge to the center so it won't spread. Keep heat away from stains -- it sometimes sets them.
An oily stain can be removed by gently rubbing the spot with liquid laundry detergent or by sprinkling the fabric with something absorbent like cornmeal or cornstarch.
Some prevention is also worthwhile. Treat linens with a protective spray like Scotchgard before using them for the first time.
Of course, if you spill or drop food that doesn't leave a stain, the polite thing to do, according to Grace Fox, author of "Everyday Etiquette, A Guide to Modern Manners," is nothing. Do not disrupt a formal dinner to announce that your cloverleaf roll has bounced onto the floor.
It's not always a food stain that appears after the guests leave. What if your best friend's little darlings decide to take to your walls with crayons? Just spray with WD-40 and then wipe with a paper towel. Then wash with hot water and dishwashing liquid while rubbing in a circular motion. Rinse well.
Finally, remember that those stains and scratches that can't be removed just might bring back special memories someday.
To me, fresh raspberries, with their sweet red juices, are worth a stain. They are one of summer's perfect foods.
Apricot and Berry Compote
8 large apricots, ripe but still firm, about 11/2 pounds
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup raspberries
1 cup blackberries
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
Cut the apricots into halves or quarters. Bring the sugar and 2 cups water to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan. Add the apricots, lower the heat, and simmer just until they're tender and the skin is getting loose, 3 to 4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer them to a serving bowl and add the berries. Boil the syrup for 3 to 4 minutes to reduce it, and then remove from the heat. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into it, pour it over the fruit and chill. Serve in individual bowls or with a slice of sponge cake. Serves 6.
Adapted from "Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone"
Mary Miller is a Fox Chapel-based registered dietitian and food writer. Her column appears twice monthly. For questions or comments, she can be reached at marymar333@home.com.
Thursday, May 24, 2001
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