Gravy: Take any delicate garments, such as a silk shirt, to the dry cleaner; otherwise, use a mild dishwashing detergent to spot-treat, then wash on the hottest cycle. For big spills, soak up the spill with paper towels, then dilute using club soda; repeat until the stain fades.

Grease: Blot the spill immediately and sprinkle on salt to soak up any excess. Spot-treat with a dishwashing liquid and rinse on the hottest setting possible.

Cranberry Sauce: Pour a teakettle filled with boiling water over the stain stretched taut over the pot. Spot-treat the stain with white vinegar or club soda.

Coffee: Spot-treat the stain with a mild dishwashing detergent, working it in, and rinsing repeatedly.

Red Wine: Treat a wine stain as soon as you can for best results. For clothing, pour club soda or hot water over the stain repeatedly. Let a thick layer of salt dry over the stain, then brush it off. If the stain is dry, saturate with white wine, then apply salt layer to dry.

For carpets or rugs, soak up any excess liquid immediately; dilute the stain with water, then pat and absorb as much of the stain as is removable. Spot-treat with limited dishwashing liquid, then rinse and blot the stain repeatedly.