Don’t Get Spooked About Post Halloween Clean Up
After Halloween clean-up can be scary. if you’re throwing a Halloween party this year, we’ve got you covered with some cleaning tips that will make November 1st less of a fright!
Trick Or Treating Tips for Parents
On Halloween, the mess can get to a whole new level! You’ve got kids hyped up on sugar and excited about chocolate bars and sticky lollipops. But don’t feel like you have to be the wicked witch to avoid disaster. Instead, be prepared before messes happen. Catching messes and stains as soon as possible is one of the keys to removing them.
While you’re trick-or-treating, bring Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer as well as paper towels. If stains happen while you’re trick-or-treating, dab or scrape as much of the offending sweet off the clothing as possible. This will help prevent the stain from setting and help you remove it more easily when you get home.
Stain Removal On Carpets
Now it’s time to talk about carpet stains. There are different ways to deal with different “kinds” of carpet stains, so let’s talk about two that you might encounter after a Halloween party: mud and red wine.
Mud Stains
So your kids and their friends tracked mud all over your carpet after trick-or-treating. What the heck do you do now?!
Wait until the mud is dry. This is VERY important. Then, vacuum over it thoroughly, removing as much mud as possible.
Make a solution of one part dishwashing soap and two cups of warm water. Sponge the stain with your cleaning solution and blot until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat this step until the mud is gone.
Sponge with cold water to remove any excess mud and cleaning solution.
Red Wine Stain Removal
So like the kids, maybe the adults at your Halloween party are a little messy too. You’re going to need to know how to get red wine out of a carpet.
Blot the stain with a paper towel, absorbing as much wine as possible.
Pour a small amount of club soda over the stain, just enough to cover.
Blot the club soda with more paper towels and repeat steps two and three until the stain is gone.
Clean Up After a Party
Cleaning up after a party can feel overwhelming if you don’t plan ahead. Before the party starts, remember to follow these preventative measures:
Put out more coasters than you have people coming. Having ample coasters available will encourage your guests to use them, which could save you from dealing with drink rings on your furniture.
Have paper towels handy to deal with any spills on the spot.
The biggest part of cleaning up will probably be dirty dishes, so make sure you have an empty dishwasher at the beginning of the party. Then, if you have time, load your dishwasher throughout the night, saving you some clean-up in the morning.
Of course, you don’t want to spend your party cleaning, so let’s talk about the day after. Have your microfiber cloth and your all-purpose cleaner at the ready. Wipe down all surfaces and heavily touched areas, like door handles. Use this time to put chairs back where they belong and straighten tables and pillows. Finally, it’s vacuum time. You know what to do!
Now you’re ready to jump into Halloween without fear. Or at least without fear of stains and party clean-up. Remember to always be prepared with your magic wand, paper towels, and your trusty stain remover. If all else fails, call (319) 382-9815 to schedule an appointment with Total Care, today!
