The Horrifying Halloween Stains: Carpet Cleaning Tricks and Tips

Halloween has many scary things associated with it. But ghosts, witches, skeletons, spiders, and vampires aren’t the only spooky things. While Halloween is a fun-filled time for kids and adults alike, it is also one of the biggest cleaning days of the year.

Have no fear, your carpet cleaning tricks are here! Most of the stains can be removed easily using the products you already have in your home if you follow these tips.

FAKE BLOOD

Fake blood is used to enhance your appearance for the holiday. This liquid consists of dye and syrup, which can be a devastating combination for any fabric. That’s why it is best to check the ingredients of the fake blood you plan on using. Unfortunately, most brands do not list all their ingredients. So, try these simple tricks:

1. Start by soaking up the excess liquid. Then get a cup of cold water and dab the water onto the stain carefully.

2. Approach the stain by starting from the outside to the center. This helps limit stain growth.

3. Use a clean, dry washcloth to soak up the stain. Continue these steps 2 & 3 until the stain is removed.

If this does not completely remove the stain, try to moisten the area with a 3 percent hydrogen-peroxide solution. Let sit for an hour and repeat as necessary.

OIL-BASED HALLOWEEN MAKEUP AND LIPSTICK

Costume makeup is often heavier than traditional makeup and can lead to messy makeup stains. First thing you need to do is to remove any excess makeup with a clean, absorbent cloth or paper towel. Dampen the stain with alcohol using a dry white washcloth until there are no traces of any makeup or lipstick on the cloth. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol or makeup remover on a clean cloth and rub the stain, rinse with warm water and blot with absorbent white paper towel to dry. Repeat, if necessary.

PUNCH

Punch is a drink of preference for many people on Halloween and should be treated with a specialized stain remover. If this doesn’t completely fix the issue, then use a carpet shampoo. Alcoholic punch is best affected by a mix of washing-up liquid and 2 cups of water. Use this to dab the stain and blot until it is gone. Rinse the affected area with cold water once you are done and blot to dry.

PUMPKIN

Pumpkin is symbolic of Halloween. It is only normal to try your hand at pumpkin carving or use the plant as decoration. If some pumpkin material ends up on the carpet, start by gently scraping up as much pumpkin pulp, seeds, or puree as possible. Once you’ve removed the excess, treat any remaining stain with warm water. Gently apply the warm water to the stain using a clean washcloth and a blotting motion. Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone.

CHOCOLATE

One of the ingredients that every Halloween needs is chocolate. First thing to do is to scrape off as much as possible without grinding the chocolate deeper into the fabric. Blot stain with white cloth and cold water. Once chocolate no longer transfers to cloth, apply a detergent solution to a clean end of the cloth. Continue to blot the stain using the detergent solution. Let sit for a few minutes and rinse with cold water using a spray bottle. Blot to remove excess moisture.

SUGARY TREATS

Candy may leave sticky residue behind, which is gross and if left behind, over time, will attract more dirt. First thing to do, make sure to remove all solid residue from the carpet. Then apply some dish washing detergent and blot the area.

For professional carpet cleaning services, you can always count on us to help you with your carpet cleaning needs! Enjoy every party and never worry about cleaning up after the event. Call (319) 382-9815 to schedule an appointment, today!