Halloween Hacks for Ghoulish Grime
We LOVE Halloween. Really, what’s not to love? The trips to the pumpkin patch, the spooky decorating, horror movie marathons, picking out an amazing costume, the never ending supply of treats… and that’s just to name a few!
One of the things we also adore about Halloween is a good scare… though, like most, we appreciate it when it’s not integrated into our post party clean up.
So, in the spirit of keeping your Halloween spooky in only the best ways, here are three ‘frightfully’ good ways to keep the terror out of your cleaning routine.
Sticky, Tricky, and Downright Icky
We love a bit of candy – or, well, a lot of candy if we’re being honest. But that delicious treat can quickly become a literal sticky situation when it accidently finds its way onto your walls, furniture, or carpets.
To avoid stains, make sure to address the problem area as soon as you find it – don’t wait! The longer it sits, the more time it has to set, which will make the job at hand a lot trickier.
Also, you’ll want to avoid scraping or scrubbing the spot. This knee-jerk reaction that we have to finding spots and stains can often cause more harm than good… so take a breath. We’ve got you!
Dip a cloth into a tablespoon of dish soap and a cup of warm water. Once done, dab the stain repeatedly until the candy begins to soften. Once this is done, you can begin wiping out the spot.
Pro tip: If warm water and dish soap isn’t doing the trick, try mixing 1/3 cup white vinegar and 2/3 cup warm water. Acidic liquids can help break down the sticky components found in your favorite Halloween treats, making them easier to lift.
If any stain remains, you can treat it with your favorite spot cleaner. Or, if you’d like a quick household remedy, rubbing alcohol is also great for getting the job done. Apply, blot, let dry, and repeat if necessary.
Before you know it, the only candy in your home will be whatever you sneak out of your kid’s goodie bag (don’t worry, your secret’s safe with us!)
All Hail the Pumpkin King
We all know it’s not officially Halloween until you pick out a pumpkin to carve. It’s creative, exciting, and… a complete mess! That’s all part of the fun, though!
If you want to keep clean up as easy as possible, make sure to lay some newspaper down on the table you’re carving on. Then, once you’re done, presto! Everything can go into the compost or your green bin (we love an eco-friendly cleaning hack!) A quick spray down with your favorite tabletop cleaner and nobody will ever know there was a pumpkin crime scene in your kitchen…
Worried about your pumpkin masterpiece staining your porch? Don’t be! A scrub brush dipped in water and a bit of dish soap will easily lift any orange residue.
Or, if you want to avoid scrubbing altogether, place a square piece of tinfoil under your pumpkin when you take it outside. That way, you’ll have a nice cheap barrier between your stairs and any pumpkin parts that may get a bit soggy when the cold whether comes along.
Glitter, Fake Blood, and Makeup – The Horror!
Getting dressed up is one of the best, if not the best, part of Halloween. But whether you choose to be Count Dracula, Freddy Krueger, or queen of the fairies, there is one thing we know for sure… there will be makeup and sparkles in places that they are definitely not supposed to be. Oops!
For glitter spills, a vacuum is the way to go for getting the bulk of the mess. But to get at the bits and pieces left behind, go small. Use a lint-roller or a strip of masking tape to get at those sparkles that have wedged themselves onto your floor and/or walls. Glitter be gone!
When it comes to costume makeup and fake blood, which is usually oil based and known for its staying power, you’ll want to use a wet cloth and a splash of dishwashing liquid to lift it out of your carpet or upholstery. Rubbing alcohol can also be used in a pinch.
Though remember! Dab the stain, don’t rub at it, or you can end up unintentionally deepening it… and that, there, is where the real horror can start!
For a particularly nasty or deeply set stain, you may want to invest in a good commercial spot cleaning product, specifically one that targets oil based stains.
If the stain is on your wall, spray some degreaser on it. You’ll want to let it sit for 2-5 minutes before wiping it down with a dry cloth. As long as the makeup hadn’t been sitting for too long, it should lift without a problem.
With these hacks under your belt (which we hope is part of your Batman costume… because who doesn’t LOVE Batman?!), there might be time to dive into a little extra Halloween baking. Or drinking. Whatever gets your ghost! We have a couple of our favorite treats listed below so check them out if you’re looking for an easy way to sweeten up your Halloween festivities.
And if you’re looking for a way to “treat” yourself after Halloween has come and gone, you can always give us a call. Whether you’re looking to book in for the first time or just need to add a few post-Halloween chores to your regular clean, we’re here to help!
Remember: we love cleaning so you don’t have to!
~Your friend, Anna