Halloween Cleaning Tips: Upper Darby, PA

10/18/2017 (Permalink)

If you find yourself in a sticky situation that you can’t handle. Call SERVPRO of Upper Darby, PA (610) 352-0700

How to Get Gum and Candy Out of Carpet

Even when Halloween is behind us, the candy will linger on for days. It is not unlikely for treats to end up on the carpet or some other unwanted location. No need to fret, candy in the carpet does not need to be as scary as it seems.  As long as you use the tips below and clean up the mess right away your carpet can be restored and ready for the next holiday festivity

Freeze It

Freezing is your best plan of attack with gum that hasn’t been stuck long. If caught before it gets too far down into the carpet fibers, this should do the trick. 

1. Put several ice cubes in a sealable sandwich bag and lay it on top of the gum. (a can of compressed air will freeze the gum just as well)
2. Once the gum is frozen solid, use a butter knife, spatula or spoon to scrape it up. Scrape in one direction to avoid damaging the carpet fibers. It will likely crack and break as you go, but if you have trouble, rub the stuck pieces with ice and try again. 
3. Once you get all the gum out, gently scrub the area with a solution of soapy water and white vinegar.

Dissolve It

When you apply a solvent to gum, you’ll break down the polymers, which will make it less sticky and far easier to remove. 

1. Choose a solvent like a citrus degreaser or mineral spirits (muscle rub products that contain methyl salicylate will also work).  
2. Test a small area first, to make sure you won’t stain your carpet.
3. Once you’ve tested, spray the gum or candy, or use a cloth to apply it.
4. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the solvent to work its magic, then gently scrape with a butter knife, spatula or spoon.
5. Just as with the freeze method, you can finish up by scrubbing with soapy water and a little white vinegar. 

Oil It

As with solvents, oils will reduce the stickiness. You can try eucalyptus oil, olive oil or even peanut butter. Just be sure to thoroughly clean up these oils once the gum or candy is gone. 

1. Test a small area first, to determine the oil will not discolor the fibers
2. Apply oil directly to the gum or candy, saturating the candy. It’s not recommended to pour the oil directly onto the carpet. Instead use a clean cloth so you can better control the amount used.
3. As with the other methods, next comes gentle scraping with a butter knife or other metal utensil.
4. Finally, scrub with soapy water and white vinegar, making sure to remove all of the residual oils. 

Regardless of the method you decide to try, there may still be a little candy color left behind from lollipops or other hard candies. If so, try scrubbing with some more white vinegar, or apply a stain remover. Then, blot the area with water to rinse the carpet fibers, and let it dry.

If you are not satisfied with the results or would rather not deal with the hassle call SERVPRO of Upper Darby, PA. We offers a number of cleaning options to match any type of upholstery or carpet.

Call Today – (610) 352-0700

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Our professional cleaning can address moderate and heavy soil conditions in your carpets. How often you’ll need professional cleaning depends on soil build-up, traffic, type and color of carpeting. A good rule of thumb would be to professionally clean your carpet every 12 months. The best advice is to clean carpets before they become totally saturated with soil. If you wait until carpets look really dirty, the carpets may never be restored to their former appearance. Dirt builds up in layers, and when a carpet looks dirty you are only seeing the dirt at the tips of the fibers. More dirt is hiding below the surface down near the base of the pile, causing damage to the carpet. When a carpet is saturated with dirt, the soil has penetrated crevices and has become firmly lodged.

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