Survive the Halloween Pranks with These Easy Cleaning Tips

Posted on 05/05/2023

How to Clean After Halloween Pranks?

Few things are worse than waking up on the day after Halloween, only to find your yard covered in toilet paper and your walls stained with eggs. If you have become a target of the local Halloween “trickster”, you might wonder how you are going to clean the mess. Although it might seem like an overwhelming job at first, with the right cleaners you will be able to bring things back to normal. Remember, the sooner you clean up these Halloween “tricks”, the easier it will be to remove them. Here is what you’ll need.

Toilet Paper

Having toilet paper on your tree and house will not cause that much damage, but it is plain embarrassing. There are different ways to deal with this problem, but try cleaning right away. Otherwise the loose paper bits will spread around the area and will cover and settle in the grass, making them hard to remove. Plus, if there is a chance of rain, things can get really messy. That is why getting rid of the toilet paper should be the first thing you do in the morning.

To remove the toilet paper from rooftops and tall trees, use a sturdy ladder and a broom to swat away the paper. Collect the smaller pieces from the ground with a rake and throw them in the garbage. If you have toilet paper tangled in shrubs and bushes take the leaf blower and blast the small bits. If you leave the paper on your greenery, it will decompose and promote mould growth.

Eggs

Eggs are the trickiest and the grossest of the prankster tools. Again you should act quickly and take care of the nasty stains. Eggs are corrosive and can cause serious damage to any surface. Plus the smell is horrible and may last for a long time, if not properly cleaned. Avoid scrubbing the egg-stained areas, because any remaining bits of shells will scratch or get embedded in the surface.

First, rinse the stained area with the power washer by putting it on the low-pressure setting. Don’t spray directly over the mess because it will splatter and spread even move. Instead, spray water above the damaged surface and use a side-to-side motion to wash away the debris. After cleaning the visible dirt, get an appropriate cleaning solution and deep clean the area to remove any residue and smell. Soapy water will work wonders if the egg hasn’t dried yet. If the mess has settled, alkaline cleaners will help you take down the build-up. Scrub out the dried egg with a stiff brush. You should not use hot water.

If it is your vehicle that has been affected by the egg attack, again you need to moisten the surface. Hose away the particles and leftovers and if needed gently rub the surface with a neutral-pH automotive detergent and a soft cloth. Avoid using house cleaning products and tools that may damage the paint of your vehicle.  When you remove all egg shell spots, rinse the car and wipe it dry.

Smashed Pumpkins

Lucky for you smashed pumpkins are pretty easy to clean. Keep in mind that squash contains a lot of sugar. If some of its innards have fallen on your doors, windows or siding, try to remove them before the sun turns them into a hard crunchy stain that will require a lot of soaking and rubbing. After cleaning with soapy water, rinse the windows and apply glass cleaner. Don’t worry if there is pumpkin residue on your grass. The small bits of pulp make great compost, so you can leave them there.

Shaving Cream

Shaving foam is another innocuous trickster tool that can cause a lot of troubles because it contains different chemicals and fragrances. These ingredients may cause discoloration of the surface if left for too long. You can quickly remove it with enough water and brushing.  Soak the affected area well with the garden hose. Then scrub the shaving cream with a gentle brush. For thicker spots, use warm water. The longer the foam stays in place, the more difficult it is to remove. So don’t wait for the rain to wash it away and tackle the job immediately.

This year, don’t let the Halloween pranks ruin the holiday and use these easy home cleaning tricks!