Little Monsters Leave Big Messes, Halloween Cleaning Tricks

MEMPHIS, TN--(Marketwired - October 28, 2015) - From pumpkin carvings and creepy, crawly décor, to face paint and sweet treats, Halloween brings unlimited fun for kids, but unlimited cleanup for parents. This year, Merry Maids, the nation's leading home cleaning company and part of the ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) family of brands, is sharing its expert tested tips and tricks to tackle some of the biggest messes your little monsters make.

"Kids everywhere are thrilled about the spookiest day of the year, but it shouldn't bring added stress for moms and dads," says Debra Johnson, home cleaning expert for Merry Maids. "As the kids excitedly dress up in their costumes and delve into pounds of chocolate, don't let their treats trick you out of a good night. Most messes can be easily resolved with Merry Maids expert tips -- so unleash your little monsters for a night full of fun!"

Johnson shares her tricks for keeping the boo's out of Halloween cleanup:

Mummify Your Pumpkin-Carving Workspace
Pumpkin-carving is a family favorite, but after the fun is over, you might be frightened by the pumpkin remnants. Johnson says the best way to enjoy pumpkin carving is to stage the activity ahead of time. Pick a spot in your home that is easy to clean up -- a patio or garage if weather permits -- and wrap the carving area like a mummy with plastic table covers to allow for quick cleanup. For a more festive workspace, you can even consider using newspaper or old sheets to wrap the surface. Just don't make it too spooky!

Witches Brew to Dye For
Making Halloween treats spookier and frighteningly more fun with food coloring seems like a great idea, until it ends up on your carpet or upholstery. Have no fear -- fill up a cauldron with this homemade witches brew: Johnson says to mix one tablespoon of vinegar with a few drops of mild detergent and two cups of cold water. Dip a microfiber cloth into the concoction and blot the stain with both sides of the cloth until the coloring has vanished. After patting the area dry, Johnson says you may need to spray the area with a carpet or upholstery cleaner to make sure the stains have been scared away for good.