Cleaning up after Halloween

Demons and goblins aren’t the only things scaring you this Halloween. After a night of trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, and shenanigans (thanks to the neighborhood kids who goad your house), you’ll be left with the terrifying task of cleaning up after the festivities are over. With the help of House Logic and All You, we’ll show you how to get rid of sticky earwax, glittery makeup, toilet paper rolls, and more. Fortunately, all it takes is a little effort and products you probably already have on hand. That’s our idea of ​​a gift!

sticky candle wax

Candles help create the dimly lit, spooky mood associated with Halloween. But once you blow out the candles and turn on the lights, you may have to deal with the horror of dripping wax. Remove wax from carpets by first waiting until it hardens completely; Carefully scrape off as much wax as you can with a dull knife. To remove remaining wax, lay a paper bag flat over the waxy area and run a warm iron over the paper bag covering the stain. The wax should be transferred to the paper bag.

To remove candle wax spills from furniture or hardwood floors, avoid using a knife as the blade can scratch the wood. A safer way is to soften the wax with a hair dryer on medium heat. When the wax starts to melt, wipe it off with a soft cloth. Finish by cleaning the area with a solution of white vinegar and warm water.

Brilliantine

Glitter is an essential accessory when it comes to putting the finishing touches on a fairy princess costume. But once you put away your little one’s princess costume, you start to regret your decision to wear glitter as it still shows up everywhere. Just when you think you’ve tackled all the glitter, the glittery shards seem to reappear out of nowhere. Vacuum up as much glitter as you can, using a soft furniture brush attachment. To pick up any remaining sparkles, run a lint roller or some masking tape over the sparkly areas.

toilet paper

One of the most common sights of Halloween is tree-lined front yards “decorated” with endless streams of toilet paper. If your garden has been TP’d, try to remove the toilet paper as soon as possible. Toilet paper that gets wet from dew or rain is a laborious challenge to remove. If the toilet paper is already wet, wait until it is dry before trying to remove it. To reach toilet paper high up in a tree, use a rake to scrape it up or a leaf blower to free it from the branches. Another method is to wrap a stick in duct tape (sticky side up) and use it in hard-to-reach areas.

eggs

Perhaps the heaviest task of all Halloween cleanups is egg removal. The key to successfully removing the egg from the siding of your home is to act fast. Once dry, adhering dirt sticks like glue to the surface, making it much more difficult to remove. Never use hot water, as hot water will cook the egg and it will stick to the surface. Point a hose nozzle over the splattered mess to carefully rinse the egg through the coating. If the eggs are already stuck together, place a rag soaked in half water, half vinegar on the area for about 15 minutes; rinse. For stubborn stains, a pressure washer and a solution of one part warm water, one part white vinegar, and one squirt of dish detergent is your best ally.