Holiday Spills 101: How to Clean Up Common Christmas Messes

The holiday season is full of warm gatherings, sparkling décor, and festive cheer… but it also brings a unique set of messes into your home. From spilled red wine on your favorite rug to tree sap that sticks to everything except the tree, Christmas chaos happens to the best of us.

At Fresh Nest, we believe the holidays should be enjoyed—not spent panicking over stains. Here’s your easy, practical guide to conquering the most common Christmas messes quickly and confidently.

1. Red Wine Stains on Carpet or Upholstery

A holiday classic—and not the kind we look forward to.

What to Do:

1. Blot, don’t rub. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to lift as much wine as possible.

2. Apply cold water. Lightly dampen the area to dilute the stain.

3. Mix a quick cleaning solution:

   • 1 tbsp dish soap

   • 1 tbsp white vinegar

   • 2 cups cold water

4. Blot with your solution until the stain lifts.

5. Finish with a clean water rinse and blot dry.

Fresh Nest Tip:

If the stain is still lingering, sprinkle baking soda on the damp spot, let it dry, and vacuum it up for extra lifting power.

2. Candle Wax on Tables, Mantles, or Fabric

Holiday candles set the mood—until wax drips where it shouldn’t.

For Hard Surfaces:

1. Let the wax harden completely.

2. Gently scrape off what you can with a plastic scraper or old credit card.

3. Apply a warm cloth to soften any remaining wax and wipe clean.

For Fabric (tablecloths, upholstery, carpet):

1. Let the wax harden, then break off what you can.

2. Place a paper towel or brown paper bag over the wax.

3. Use a warm iron (low heat) over the paper to pull the wax up.

4. Treat any oily residue with a small amount of rubbing alcohol or stain remover.

3. Glitter Everywhere

Because once glitter arrives, it plans to stay forever.

How to Get It Under Control:

• Use a lint roller on almost any surface—furniture, clothing, even baseboards.

• Dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe in one direction to catch stray sparkles.

• For carpets, vacuum slowly, then go over with a rubber squeegee to gather the stubborn leftovers.

Fresh Nest Tip:

Anti-static spray on upholstery helps prevent glitter from re-sticking.

4. Christmas Tree Sap

Tree sap is sticky, stubborn, and sneaky—but totally conquerable.

On Hard Floors:

1. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to break down the sap.

2. Let it sit for 1–2 minutes.

3. Wipe clean with warm, soapy water.

On Carpet or Rugs:

1. Harden the sap with an ice cube.

2. Scrape gently to remove as much as possible.

3. Dab a little rubbing alcohol onto a cloth and blot until the residue disappears.

4. Rinse with a small amount of warm, soapy water.

On Hands (because it always ends up there):

A dab of olive oil or coconut oil works wonders—massage it into the sticky spot and rinse.

Keep Your Holiday Merry—Not Messy

The best part of the season is making memories, not stressing over spills. With these quick tips, you can tackle the messes as they come and get back to enjoying the celebration.

If your home needs a refresh after the holidays—or you’d just love to start the new year with a sparkling clean slate—Fresh Nest is here to help. Our professional cleaners make your home feel bright, fresh, and holiday-ready any time of year.

Ready for a stress-free clean?
Call Fresh Nest today and let us do the dirty work!