Clothing is more likely to be ruined this time of year by stains . . . mostly because we're all eating and drinking more, and then spilling on ourselves. 

--So here are some of things you might have run-ins with over the next few weeks . . . and what to do about them.

--First of all, the most important thing is to always deal with a stain immediately, not the next day.  Here are nine tough ones, and exactly how to treat them.

#1.)  Candy Canes.  Soak the piece of clothing for 30 minutes in cold water with a few drops of ammonia in it.  Then rinse it, and soak it for another 30 minutes in cold water, with a tablespoon of white vinegar.

#2.)  Eggnog.  Blot it with a rag, then soak it for 30 minutes in cold water with a little detergent, and wash it like you normally would. 

--If you spill on the RUG, you're supposed to blot it with NAIL POLISH REMOVER, then spray it with a mix of warm water and dish soap, and blot it until the stain's gone. 

#3.)  Wine and Beer.  For red wine, you're supposed to pour boiling water on the stain . . . but obviously not if it might make the colors run.  Then hand clean it with a mix of cold water and dish soap. 

--For WHITE wine, you just have to pour cold water on the stain, and blot it with a rag. 

--For BEER, hand wash it in 10 parts water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide until you can't see the stain anymore.  Then let it air dry.

#4.)  Candle Wax.  Scrape away any excess wax using a dull knife, like a butter knife.  Then iron it on a low setting, with a paper bag between the iron and the fabric.

--Most of the wax should stick to the bag.  Then treat the remaining stain with hydrogen peroxide, and wash it like you would normally. 

#5.)  Turkey Fat.  Pretreat it with a stain remover or some dish soap to cut the oil, then soak it for 30 minutes, and let it air dry.  If possible use hot water.   

#6.)  Gravy.  Wipe it off, but make sure you don't grind it in by scrubbing back-and-forth.  Then soak it overnight in the washing machine with fabric-safe bleach.  And again, use the hottest water you can. 

--If you spill gravy on the CARPET, sprinkle baking soda on it.  Then after about 15 minutes, blot it with a clean rag. 

#7.)  Butter.  Sprinkle salt on the stain and let it sit for a while.  Then pretreat it with spot remover or dish soap, and wash it in hot water. 

#8.)  Cranberry Sauce.  First you have to rinse it in cold water for about a minute.  Then soak it for 15 minutes in cold water with a tablespoon of white vinegar and a tablespoon of laundry detergent.

 --If it still doesn't come out, don't dry it yet.  First blot it with rubbing alcohol and wash it again.

#9.)  Chocolate.  Pre-treat it with a spot remover.  Rub it gently, but don't grind it in.  Then wash it in hot water if possible, and use fabric-safe bleach.