Halloween Stain Removal Tips

Halloween is a scary time, in more ways than one. Think: ghosts, goblins, haunted houses, and miscellaneous STAINS. Speaking to the latter is Melissa Maker of Clean My Space.

Keep reading for two common stain types and Melissa’s expert tips on how to treat them.

Type 1: Chocolate, Pumpkin and Caramel

The first step is to remove as much of the chocolate as you can, using a dull edged knife. Shake off the fragments of chocolate that you are able to chip off and then add a little bit of dish soap or laundry detergent–depending on what you have handy at the time–and rub the soap or detergent into the stained area. After ten minutes of letting the garment sit, toss it in the laundry. If the stain won’t come off, treat this area again with hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. The combination will be two parts hydrogen peroxide to one part dish soap. Remember: avoid applying any heat to the stained garment because heat will set the stain.

Type 2: Oil-Based Makeup Stains

Use a dull edge–much like you would with a chocolate stain–and do your best to chip any dry or cracked areas off the garment. Next, put a towel underneath the garment so you don’t end up transferring the stain elsewhere. You can try using a make-up remover wipe, but beware that it may leave an oil stain, so be sure to test a small, inconspicuous area of the garment first. If make-up remover doesn’t work, try using rubbing alcohol on a piece of paper towel and gently dab the area. Do this in a slow and steady manner until the stain comes off. Then, pre-treat and launder the costume according to the material’s care instructions.