How to Prevent Halloween Stains on Carpets and Furniture

The lights were dim, the Jack o’ lanterns were glowing and the candy bowls were overflowing. Everything was perfect until someone’s cup of neon green punch accidentally met your beige carpet. Suddenly your Halloween party has turned into a horror story of its own. If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re at the right place. You no longer have to worry about these. Read on to find out what you can do to prevent and rectify any Halloween accidents.

This guide has been designed to help you keep your home festive ready and spotless this spooky season. A few smart tricks are all you need to scare away even the toughest of stains. And if you have to prepare for a move after the celebrations are over, professional end of lease cleaning Newcastle services can help remove all traces of the haunted nights. Now, go grab your mop, your favourite cleaning spray and let’s get your home ready for a spooktacular time.

1. Choose Stain Safe Decorations and Snacks

Prevention always starts with proper planning. Most Halloween decorations and treats will contain artificial dyes, glitter and wax, all of which can easily transfer onto fabrics or other surfaces. Go for decorations that are made of washable fabric, paper or plastic. Things like battery operated tea lights are also a great substitute to having open flames. They offer the same spooky feel but minus the fire hazard and cleaning hassle.

When it comes to organising snacks for the party, try to stay away from overly colourful drinks or icing that may contain artificial dyes. They are known to leave lasting marks. If children are attending your party, it’s worth serving treats in designated areas or outdoors to limit the messes created indoors. And if accidents still happen, you can count on quality end of lease cleaning Newcastle to bring your home back to its best.

2. Protect Your Carpet Before The Party

Before the first of your guests arrives, give your carpets some much needed protection. If you apply a fabric or carpet protector spray, it can create a barrier that makes the after party cleaning much easier. Place washable rugs or mats, in high traffic areas like hallways, near food tables and in the entryways. If your carpets are light coloured, lay down dark coloured throw rugs that match the Halloween theme: black, orange or deep purple work perfect.

These will not only add to the festive decor but also hide the potential spills or crumbs. It’s also wise to have a small clean up kit on the ready for the party too. In it, keep a spray bottle filled with mild detergent and water, clean microfiber cloths and paper towels. Quick action is important when it comes to preventing stain permanency.

3. Be Ready for Common Halloween Stains

Some Halloween stains are more common than the rest. But it doesn’t mean dealing with them is any less tricky. To tackle them effectively regardless of where and when they occur, technique is important. Read on below:

• Chocolate: Scrape off the solid bits first. Then dab the area with a mixture of mild detergent and warm water.
• Fake Blood or Face Paint: These tend to contain pigments that can set into surfaces pretty quickly. So, use cold water followed by a stain remover. Avoid using hot water as this worsens the stain.
• Pumpkin Residue: The pulp and juice can leave yellow or orange like stains. Remove as much of the stuff as possible, then blot the area with a solution of vinegar and water.
• Wine or Coloured Punch: You need to blot this immediately. Do not make the mistake of rubbing it. Sprinkle baking soda to absorb moisture before treating it with a cleaning solution.

If you find yourself facing multiple stains after a big gathering, your best bet would be calling the professionals. Their specialised treatments are sure to save your carpets and furniture from the aftermath of the party.

4. Protect Your Furniture and Upholstery

It’s not just the carpets that suffer during your Halloween party. Your furniture: the sofa, armchairs and dining chairs or throws over your seating area, also suffer. To protect them you could drape washable covers or throws over the seating areas. They’ll not only add to the cosiness but will also act as a barrier against sticky fingers and drink spills.

For upholstered dining chairs, use slipcovers or seat protectors that can easily be tossed in the wash the next day. If you are using glittery costumes or makeup, remind the guests to avoid sitting on delicate fabrics. Glitter and face paint can embed themselves into fibres, making them very hard to remove.

5. Post Halloween Clean up Made Easy

Once all the festivities are over, do not wait too long to start cleaning. The longer a stain is allowed to sit, the harder it will be to remove. Start by vacuuming or sweeping up loose debris like confetti, candy wrappers and crumbs. Then, tackle any visible spots using mild cleaning solutions.

For tougher stains, steam cleaning is a great option. It freshens up the carpets and furniture, removing lingering odours as well as the stubborn stains. If you are short on time calling in the professionals from budget end of lease cleaning Newcastle can save you both effort and stress. Additionally, you can try increasing ventilation by switching on exhaust fans or opening windows. This will help dry carpets and furniture faster and prevent mould growth.

Infographic: Protect Carpets and Furniture from Halloween stains

Wrapping Up

Halloween is supposed to be enjoyable, full of laughs and spooky scenes. And with a little careful preparation, you won’t have to worry about stains lingering in your house after the party is over. Let your costumes be the only things that frighten people this eerie season, not your carpets!