Holidays present lots of opportunities for hosting parties and celebrating fun times with family and friends. This merry-making means more foot traffic from visitors and the increased possibility of staining our treasured area rugs with colorful drinks and gooey foods.

According to Michelle Mehri, co-owner of Naples Rug Spa, even the toughest stains from red wine, red cranberry sauce and even orange pumpkin pie can be spot-cleaned with care. “Forget any of the off-the-shelf stain removers. They cause permanent damage. In our cleaning process, whenever we apply our natural enzymes to a client’s rug that has had a retail stain remover product used on it, the stain becomes permanent,” says Mehri, who describes the best home method for removing stains.

Blot with a dry, white rag to absorb as much remaining liquid or goo from the spill as possible. Soiled areas that have dried before being discovered should be vacuumed first. “Wool fiber has a Z-like design. Attacking a stain by overly rubbing or scrubbing breaks down the wool fiber, which never comes back,” explains Mehri. “It loses its bounce and becomes matted. It’s better to blot the stain until it’s as dry as possible, and then spray it with a mixture of one-quarter teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap mixed with a quart of tepid water. Then blot again.”

Often considered investment pieces more than accessories that contribute to the comfort and style of living spaces, priceless area rugs can harbor unhealthy allergens, germs and bacteria that may, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, either cause or aggravate 50 percent of all respiratory illnesses.

This is another reason that Mehri cautions against using commercial stain removers. “Commercial stain removers leave behind chemical residue. Pets walk or lie on the residue, which is absorbed into their paws or skin,” she advises. “It also affects indoor air quality, recognized as a significant component that contributes to our health. Humans and pets with asthma and allergies are impacted.” Mehri also notes that area rugs should be cleaned annually.

“We stand behind our technology, which even removes the worst stains on re-dyed areas that have been damaged in the past,” says Mehri, who notes that she spent five years researching the market to find the cutting-edge technology she uses.

Naples Rug Spa is located at 4081 Mercantile Ave., Ste. B, in Naples. For more information, call 239-206-1481, email [email protected] or visit NaplesRugSpa.com.