Tips for removing common Halloween stains from your carpet
The best things about Halloween are the messiest! From the candy to the costumes, Halloween is a fun-filled time for kids and adults alike. However, Halloween also brings its fair share of stains. Chocolate, hard candy, pumpkin carving guts, glow sticks and fake blood are the most common stains that end up on carpets on Halloween, so we’ve come up with a few tips to help you remove them.
Chocolate– 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 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.
Hard Candy– Carefully remove the hard candy from carpet, you may need to use a bit of cold water to moisten the candy, this is to prevent damage to the carpet fibers. Then, blot the stain with cold water to remove any residual candy pieces. Now, take approximately ½ a teaspoon of liquid dish soap and work it into the carpet fibers with your fingers. Wet a white cloth and blot the stain. You will need an additional clean cloth dipped in distilled white vinegar, and then begin to dampen the remaining stain. Let the distilled white vinegar sit for a few minutes, then press down on the stain with a clean cloth. If the stain still persists, repeat the process of dampening the spot with vinegar, and then blotting. Once you have fully removed the candy spill, flush the newly cleaned area with water.
Pumpkin– 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. Next, soak up the solution with a clean, dry washcloth. Alternating between these two steps will help lift the stain and transfer it from your carpet onto the washcloth.
Glow Sticks– Immediately blot up as much of the moisture as possible with a paper towel. Work from the outside of the stain toward the center to keep it from spreading and getting larger.
After blotting, mix a solution of one teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent, 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar, and one cup of cool water. Dip a soft-bristled brush into the solution and work it into the stained area. Blot away the cleaning solution with a dry white paper towel. Next, dip a clean white cloth into plain cool water and “rinse” the area.
Fake Blood– With a dry washcloth, start by soaking up the excess liquid. Next, get a cup of cold water and dab the water onto the stain carefully. Work your way from the outside of the stain to the center in order to avoid causing the stain to grow. Then, use a clean, dry washcloth to soak up the water as well as the stain. Continue these two steps until the stain is removed. If this does not completely remove the stain, you may need to moisten the area with a 3 percent hydrogen-peroxide solution. Let sit for an hour, and repeat as necessary.
So, if you’re prepared, post Halloween clean up doesn’t seem so scary. We hope these tips will help you have a stain-free and happy Halloween! If you need any help, call in the professionals at Indy Carpet Cleaning!
