Cleaning experts reveal how to banish Halloween horror stains
Halloween is a time filled with fun, frights, and laughter, but whether you’re dressing up, carving pumpkins, or taking the kids trick-or-treating, sometimes the real fright is the messy aftermath the next day.
October 31st is a great opportunity to embrace your inner ghoul and let your imagination run wild. However, the fake blood, face paint and other Halloween horrors can often leave some of the scariest stains that seem impossible to remove, if not treated correctly.
Cleaning and laundry expert, Dr. Beckmann, have identified the top ten most terrifying stains that you’re likely to experience this spooktacular holiday and the best way to fright back!
TOP TEN HALLOWEEN HORROR STAINS
Halloween Treats
Trick or treating results in an abundance of chocolate bars, boiled sweets, and other sugary treats – you can almost guarantee the leftovers are going to leave stains all over children’s’ clothes. To tackle stubborn food stains, grab an ice cube and place it on the stain for an hour, then scrape off the sweet residue with a blunt knife. Afterwards, apply Dr. Beckmann’s Stain Devils – Fruit & Drink onto the stain and leave to set for three minutes, then dab until the clothes are looking as good as new.
Pumpkin
This beloved Halloween favourite can leave a permanent stain on clothes if not treated quickly. Blot the stained fabric with a damp cloth then prepare to wash the garment. Use a specialised remover to help break apart the stain.
Red Wine and Halloween Punch
Anyone who has hosted a Halloween party knows the panic of finding drink stains all over the sofa. If there has been an unfortunate spillage, make sure to act quickly and blot the alcohol with a cloth until the liquid is absorbed, then sponge with cold water. Follow with Dr. Beckmann’s Upholstery Stain Remover to banish the stain for good.
Face Paint
Another common stain of spooky season, if the face paint has dried, remove any excess paint before scrubbing. Water based paints are slightly easier to remove, just wash through with warm water. Oil based paints are slightly trickier, so use a dedicated stain remover to tackle these stubborn stains.
Make-up
Catching the stain quickly is the key to removing make-up effectively, simply dab at the stain with a damp cloth or a baby wipe, and for tougher stains that have smeared into the carpet, use Dr. Beckmann’s Carpet Stain Remover to remove any lasting marks!
Hair dye/coloured hair spray
Halloween is the perfect opportunity to experiment with a monstrous new hair style! Although, hair dyes and coloured hair sprays leave behind extremely stubborn stains. Rub alcohol or a solution of vinegar and detergent into the stain, and then leave to soak until the mark begins to fade.
Mud and dirt
Whether you’ve intentionally muddied up your costume or been tackled by an overly excited trick or treater, it’s easy to pick up dirt and mud stains over the Halloween holiday. Avoid wiping the stain while the mud is still wet, as this can cause the stain to spread. Instead, allow the mud to dry and then scrape off any excess. Once the debris has been removed, put the garment in to the wash as normal.
Fake Blood
Fake blood is a Halloween staple! However, it can be just as frightful to remove as it can be to look at. If you get it on your clothes, make sure to soak the stain in cold water as soon as possible, then rub in lemon juice to help eradicate the stain. Finish by popping your clothes into the machine, with one of Dr. Beckmann’s Magic Leaves Laundry Detergent Sheets for an extra-fresh feel.
Sick
One of the worst Halloween horrors to clean up is sick. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain to absorb any remaining residue and odour and leave it to soak for up to 20-minutes before vacuuming. Next mix together dishwashing soap, white vinegar and warm water and blot with a cloth. Whether it’s a pet or a human’s sick, Dr. Beckmann’s Pet Stain and Odour Remover is perfect for eliminating any left-over stain or odour.
Candle wax
Candles are great for creating a spooky atmosphere but melted wax can leave shocking stains. Once the wax hardens, gently scrape with a dull knife before vacuuming up the pieces. Place an absorbent paper towel over the stained area and iron on low heat, the wax should then transfer over to the paper towel.
On the top tips to help everyone hallo-clean up after spooky season, Dr. Beckmann spook-person, Susan Fermor said: “As excited as we are for this year’s celebrations, Halloween is a holiday filled with potential spills and stains, whether that’s fake blood, stray Halloween treats, or unsightly make-up stains on your pillow.
“Here at Dr. Beckmann, we offer a wide range of products that can help eradicate those franken-stains – from stain removers to laundry detergent sheets – leaving your home and clothes clean and fresh in no time!”
