Halloween Cleanup Made Easy

BrightNest
by BrightNest

Whether you hosted the most spooktacular Halloween party on the block, or your home was the victim of a sneaky prank (hello, egg splatters on your porch), Halloween can leave a messy aftermath. Don’t worry! The post-Halloween cleaning cavalry is on its way. Here’s how to clean up five common disasters after All Hallow’s Eve. 1. Get rid of any pumpkin mess. Whether your jack-o-lantern experienced a terrible end, or you just got a little messy with your halloween pumpkin designs, pumpkin stains are easy to remedy. First, scrap away any dried pumpkin with a dull knife or spoon. If pumpkin splatter is on your porch or sidewalk, spray away what’s left with your garden hose. If it’s on your rugs, carpets or other fabric, mix together a few drops of dish soap with warm water and blot the stain. Note: If your jack-o-lantern is still standing strong, but you're ready to toss it, we suggest composting it, burying it in your winter garden or taking it out with the trash on trash day. For more tips, read: 7 Things to Do with Your Old Pumpkin. 2. Remove egg splatters. If your house has been egged, clean it up as quickly as possible. This is especially important if you have siding, because the yellow yolks can stain! To remove egg splatters, use a garden hose (set on a low-pressure setting) to clear any egg residue. Then, dip a soft bristled brush into a bucket of warm (not hot) water and a few drops of dish soap. Gently scrub away what’s leftover with the soft brush. If you have a brick or stucco home, you can use this same technique. 3. Take down toilet paper in trees. If you’ve been sabotaged with TP, grab the longest garden rake available and pull the toilet paper down. Start at the top of the trees (or as far as you can reach) and work your way towards the ground. Then, gather up the pieces and toss the TP in the garbage. Tip: If you’re not expecting rain, wait until the day warms up a little. The afternoon sunlight will help evaporate any morning dew on the toilet paper, making it easier to remove the paper without it tearing. 4. Lift melted candy from carpets. If a little one accidently dropped some candy on your carpet, don’t fret – it’s easy to remove! If the candy isn’t hard, hold an ice cube on the spot until the piece freezes up. Then, scrape the dried candy chunks using a dull knife or spoon. Once the candy remnants are gone, spray cold water in small amounts on the stained area using a spray bottle. Blot up the water repeatedly using a clean, white cloth. Tip: If the stain is persistent, mix a few drops of dish detergent with a few ounces of warm water and then apply the mix to the stain. Blot gently until the stain is gone. More post-Halloween tips: http://bit.ly/17BR1Kp

BrightNest
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