This Thursday, the streets will be full of ghosts, witches, monsters, and just about anything else you can imagine. Halloween is a time to scare and be scared. Let’s face it, when else is it acceptable to wear tattered clothes stained in blood while wielding an axe? Unfortunately, the real scary stuff comes after the candy, costumes and parties………the clean-up! Luckily, the good people at Enviro Maids, have some tips on how to tackle the post-Halloween mess.

Cleaning up after Halloween

Ghouls and goblins aren’t the only things that’ll give you a fright this Halloween. After a night of trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and mischief (thanks to the neighborhood kids egging your house) you’ll be left with the frightening 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 the sticky wax, glittery makeup, rolls of toilet paper and more. Luckily all you need is a little elbow grease and products that you probably already have on hand. Now that’s our idea of a treat!

Stuck-on 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 wax drippings. Remove wax from carpeting by first waiting until it’s completely hardened; carefully scrape as much wax as you can with a dull knife. To remove remaining wax, place a flat piece of paper bag on the waxy area and smooth a warm iron over the paper bag that’s covering the stain. The wax should transfer to the paper bag.
To remove candle wax spills from wood furniture or floors, avoid using a knife as the blade can scratch the wood. A safer way is to soften the wax using a hairdryer set to medium heat. When the wax starts to melt, wipe it off with a soft cloth. Finish by wiping the area with a white vinegar and warm water solution.

Glitter

Glitter is a must-have accessory when putting on the finishing touches to a fairy princess costume. But once you’ve put your little one’s princess costume away, you begin to regret your decision to use glitter since it’s still showing up everywhere. Just when you think you’ve tackled all the glitter, the sparkling bits seem to reappear out of nowhere. Vacuum up as much glitter you can, using a soft brush attachment to vacuum furniture. To pick up any remaining sparkles, roll a lint rollerball or some mailing tape over the sparkly areas.

Toilet paper

One of the most common sights of Halloween are the tree-lined front yards “decorated” with endless ribbons of toilet paper. If your yard has been TP’d, try to remove the toilet paper as soon as possible. Toilet paper that becomes wet from dew or rainfall is painstakingly challenging to remove. If the toilet paper is already damp, wait until it’s dry before attempting removal. To reach toilet paper high up in a tree, use a rake to scrape it down, or a leaf blower to blow it free from the branches. Another method is to wrap duct tape around a stick (sticky side up) and use it for hard to reach areas.

Eggs

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