Thanksgiving has come and gone – and if your home hosted a full crowd this year, your rugs may be showing the evidence. From gravy drips to cranberry sauce splatters to heavy foot traffic from family and friends, this is one of the hardest weekends of the year on your floors.

But don’t worry – your rugs can bounce back. And if they can’t? Well, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the perfect time to refresh your space with something new before December’s festivities begin.

Here’s your complete guide to cleaning up after Thanksgiving and prepping your home for the next holiday wave.

Start With a Fast Post-Feast Assessment

Before you grab the cleaning supplies, take a moment to evaluate:

• Where are the spills? Look for gravy, wine, pie filling, or grease stains.

• How deep is the damage? A fresh spill on the surface is fixable. A deep one that sat overnight? Still fixable – but trickier.

• Are any rugs beyond repair? If a rug is badly stained, heavily matted, or lingering with odors after cleaning, replacing it may save time and effort.

This quick assessment helps you work smarter – not harder.

Spot Clean with Home-Friendly Methods

Thanksgiving spills are typically oily, sticky, or brightly colored. Here’s what works best:

For Grease & Gravy Stains

• Blot (never rub!) with a dry cloth

• Sprinkle baking soda and let it sit for 10–15 minutes

• Vacuum the residue

• Gently dab with warm water + mild dish soap

For Cranberry Sauce, Pie Filling & Other Sweets

• Mix 1 cup warm water + 1 tsp dish soap + a splash of white vinegar

• Blot the stain from the outside inward

• Rinse with water and blot dry

For Red Wine or Punch Spills

• Immediately blot as much liquid as possible

• Apply a 50/50 hydrogen peroxide + water mixture (spot test first!)

• Blot and repeat as needed

For Pet Accidents (because they always happen during gatherings)

• Use an enzyme cleaner

• Let it sit to break down the scent

• Blot thoroughly

Quick spot cleaning not only lifts stains but also prevents long-term discoloration and odors.

Deep Clean High-Traffic Rugs Before December Hosting

If you used your living room, dining room, hallways, or kitchen rugs heavily this Thanksgiving, consider giving them a thorough refresh:

• Vacuum both sides to remove embedded crumbs

• Shampoo with a carpet-safe solution (or use a machine if you have one)

• Allow full drying time to prevent mildew

• Rotate rugs to even out wear before your next round of guests

December brings holiday parties, visiting family, gift exchanges, and more traffic – so restoring your rugs now means a cleaner, cozier home for the entire month.

If Your Rugs Didn’t Survive… Good News: It’s Sale Season

Sometimes, even the best cleaning tricks can’t fully revive a rug. Maybe the stains set in. Maybe wear and tear is finally catching up. Or maybe you’re just ready for a fresh look before Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

This is actually the best moment to replace old rugs, because:

• Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are still live

• Large area rugs, runners, and accent rugs are steeply discounted

• You can upgrade to thicker, softer, or spill-proof materials before December hosting

• New arrivals ship quickly – just in time for holiday decorating

If you’ve been thinking about a cozy new look, now’s the time.

Get December-Ready with a Few Quick Style Switch-Ups

Once the Thanksgiving mess is cleaned up, you can jump straight into holiday decorating. A fresh or refreshed rug sets the perfect foundation for:

• A cozy winter living room

• A festive dining area for upcoming dinners

• A warm, inviting entryway for guests and family

• A kid-proof zone for all the December excitement

Even swapping in a seasonal runner, a plush accent rug, or a stain-resistant kitchen mat can make your home feel instantly ready for the next holiday rush.

Final Thoughts

Thanksgiving may leave your rugs a little worn out, but with the right cleaning methods – and maybe a well-timed upgrade – you can reset your space beautifully for December.

A clean, refreshed, or newly replaced rug can completely transform your home just in time for holiday gatherings, gift exchanges, and cozy winter nights in.

About Rugs.com
Rugs.com is a one-stop online rug shop for all your floor covering needs. With over 100,000 rug designs, the extensive selection of indoor and outdoor rugs offers a wide variety of shapes, styles, and textures – perfect for every season of the year and season of life. With more than 60 years of experience in hand-knotted and machine-woven rugs, the family-owned and operated business believes that “Beneath Every Moment” – whether it is a baby’s first step, a first dance, or a cherished memory – there should be a beautiful rug. Helping shoppers find the perfect foundation for life’s moments, Rugs.com is making online shopping simple with the lowest possible prices, fast and free shipping every day, award-winning customer support, and a 30-day free return policy. Rugs.com ships millions of rugs nationwide from the company’s South Carolina and California warehouses. Learn more at www.rugs.com.