Trick or treating during a pandemic?
It’s a tough call for many families this year. As the end of the month creeps closer every day, my kids talk about trick or treating more and more. I was leaning heavily on the side of “absolutely not!”, but now I’m scrambling to figure out a way for them to get the fun Halloween experience they heavily anticipate each year, while staying safe. I haven’t figured it out yet, but if this year has taught me anything, then I’d know that the word “plans” has a very loose meaning. From what I’ve seen and experienced this year, it seems that 2020 is the magic number to unlock Murphy’s Law madness!
Whether your family participates in trick or treating festivities this year, or you’re buying your own Halloween treats to indulge in, there’s a big chance that chocolate and candy will get on some piece of furniture, clothing, carpet, or rug (or in my household, the kids hair!). I’ve scoured the internet and compiled a list of ways to get rid of chocolate stains and sticky candy messes. Honestly, this list was one I was making for myself; all cleaning knowledge I have gets thrown out the window in times of surprise stress. I also like to make sure I’m prepared so that I don’t have to make an emergency run to the store for cleaning supplies. But then I thought, or hoped, that this list could also help other families!
If you find yourself struggling to keep up with the post-Halloween mess in your home, and live in any area between Newark and Smyrna, Delaware, visit Cleanasaurus.com to see how we can help!
—Nicole from Cleanasaurus
Chocolate stains for clothing
From apartmenttherapy.com:
Step 1: Scrape off as much of the spill as you can using a butter knife or an index card, but be gentle as to avoid pushing any chocolate further into the fabric.
Step 2: Using cold water (or soda water), flush out the stain from the back—don’t run water on top of the stain like you would with other spills, or it can drive it further into the fibers—to push out any leftover chocolate.
Step 3: Rub the stain with dish soap (or a biological laundry detergent) thoroughly until the stain is saturated with soap.
Step 4: Soak for 15 minutes in cold water, rubbing the stain every 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 5: You can apply a stain remover if the spot persists, but otherwise, launder as usual.
If an oily stain remains, thespruce.com says to add a stain remover gel or spray. Treat both sides of the stain so that it penetrates fully. Wash clothing normally in the washing machine. Before drying, check to make sure the stain is completely gone. Air dry at first to make sure no hint of the stain remains. Repeat the steps if the stain is still present.
Chocolate stains for upholstery, carpets, rugs
From apartmenttherapy.com:
Step 1: Much like dealing with clothing stains, scrape any excess chocolate off gently with a knife or some card stock.
Step 2: Put some ice cubes into a small plastic zipper bag (like a small ice pack) and set the bag over the stain for about 10 minutes to harden any leftover chocolate residue.
Step 3: Remove the ice pack and scrape the remaining chocolate as in Step 1.
Step 4: Put some dish soap on a damp sponge and use it to blot the stain until you’ve gotten as much out as possible.
Step 5: Rinse the sponge and blot again to remove any soap left on the stain.
Step 6: Pat dry with a clean, dry white towel (colorful towels might transfer dye). If any chocolate remains, sprinkle cornmeal over it and let it set for 30 minutes, then wipe away with a clean, dry towel.
Get sticky candy messes out of carpets
From howtocleanstuff.net:
Step 1: Begin by moistening the candy with cold water – it may take a while. This will dissolve the sugars that are bonding it to the carpet. Once it is dissolved enough to loosen, pull the large pieces of candy out of the carpet. If needed, a spoon can be used to scrape the candy off of the fibers.
Step 2: Next, apply a stain remover to any stains that remain on the carpet. Pet enzyme cleaners, such as Kids ‘N’ Pets or Nature’s Miracle will work particularly well on these stains, but any carpet stain remover could work.
Step 3: Blot with a clean cloth to absorb the stain remover along with the stain. Switch to a clean portion of the cloth frequently to avoid reapplying the stain.
Step 4: Blot the area with a cloth moistened with white vinegar if the stain persists.
Step 5: Once the stain is removed, blot the area with a clean cloth moistened with plain water to rinse.
Step 6: Blot with a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture.
Step 7: Allow the area to dry completely.
Get candy and gum out of clothes
From ehow.com:
Step 1: Place an ice cube directly on any sticky candy or gum stains. Keep the ice cube in place until the candy or gum hardens.
Step 2: Slide the blade of a butter knife directly under the hardened spot. Pry the candy or gum gently until the entire substance is removed.
Step 3: Apply a thin, even layer of liquid detergent directly onto the stain. Rinse the entire clothing item in hot water until the detergent is removed.
Step 4: Mix 1/3 cup of white vinegar and 2/3 cup of warm water. Dip a white cloth or paper towel into the mixture and dab it gently on the stain. Dampen a sponge with water and press it gently against the stain to remove the vinegar mixture from the clothing.
Step 5: Inspect the clothing item and apply another layer of liquid detergent if the stain remains. Rinse again. Transfer the item to your washing machine and launder with a capful of liquid detergent and hot water.
Tip
If the clothing care tag states the item can be safely bleached, soak it in 1 tablespoon liquid bleach and 1 gallon of warm water for 15 minutes after you rinse away the detergent but before you launder for a more intensive stain removal treatment.
Warning:
Do not attempt to remove stains on clothing items that are marked as “dry-clean only.” Take them to the dry cleaner or you could permanently damage the fabric.
Do not dry clothing in a hot dryer if the stain is not completely removed. The heat could cook the stain into the fabric and make it permanent.