Every hostess knows better than crying over spilt milk, red wine or giblet gravy. Spills happen. People can be clumsy and kids get excited. That’s part of the life we’re celebrating next week. The best plan is spill prevention. Set the kids’ table with wipe-clean placemats. Use non-drip candles. A table runner can help contain the inevitable drips and drops from green bean casseroles and cranberry chutneys. Be prepared with a small stack of clean, white kitchen towels to blot spills when they happen. Not rub, wipe nor scrub. Take a deep breath; refresh your optimistic smile and blot. When the feast is over and the guests have gone home, bring us the stains and we’ll do our magic.

Preparations for the holiday season should include a survey and sniff test in the linen closet. Guest room or sofa, airbed or pullout, your guests should enjoy a good night’s rest on fresh, crisp linen under warm quilts, blankets or comforters. We clean it all – even summer’s sleeping bags may do holiday duty. With two weeks to Thanksgiving, now’s the time to put us to work on your guest bedding.

Before the silver polishing and piebaking begin, take a little time to make a plan for your tabletop. The Internet is jammed with great ideas, starting with Martha Stewart’s 39 Thanksgiving Tables with tricks for memorable centerpieces, place cards and even napkin rings made from recycled wishbones or fresh Brussels sprouts and sage. Seriously. We can help set the perfect table with professionally finished table clothes, runners, placemats and napkins. There’s nothing like crisp, fresh table linens to set the stage for a memorable feast. We’ll clean and press to perfection, just like always. We can even remove musty botton-of-the-buffet-drawer smells.

We are 100% in favor of dressing up, for dinner, for work and for trick or treating. And after the scary fun, we are experts at removing grease paint, glitter and other reminders of the masquerade. Our expert cleaners can remove almost any stain, and w...