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The
most iconic fall decoration is a pumpkin. They are carved, painted, glittered, or dressed like Mr. Potato Heads and put out on front porches for the world to adore. If these joyful decorations aren’t removed fast enough though, they can rot and seep juice onto the surface below, becoming a true Halloween horror. Use the steps below to remove the rotted pumpkin stains from your brick wall or paving.
You Will Need:
- Enzyme digester
- Plastic wrap
- Masking tape
- Turpentine
- Gloves
- Steel wool
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- Get an enzyme digester cleaner, such as Kids ‘N’ Pets or Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor Cleaner. These cleaners can be found in the pet section of a supermarket. Choose one that specifically says it works on plant stains like grass.
- Follow the instructions on the label of your selected product. The general instructions are usually that you pour on the cleaner and let it dry naturally.
- Keeping the cleaner wet as long as possible will allow it to work for as long as possible. Once it dries, it stops working. To help keep it wet longer, cover the area with plastic wrap and tape down the edges. Be sure to use a weak tape like masking tape though to prevent the possibility of needing to remove adhesive stains later.
- You can repeat steps 1-3 as many times as needed to fully remove the stain.
- Another option is to use turpentine and steel wool. Pour the turpentine on the stain, put on some gloves, then scrub the stain with steel wool.
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Additional Tips:
- In the future, always put down a piece of plastic wrap or a plastic plate under a display pumpkin.
Sources:
- How the Queen Cleans Everything by Linda Cobb
- Field Guide To Stains by Virginia M. Friedman, Melissa Wagner and Nancy Armstrong
How long do you leave the stain remover covered with plastic wrap?
Karen,
You can leave the plastic wrap on as long as needed: either until you see the stain is gone or until the liquid has dried. In general, a couple hours should be sufficient to determine if more cleaner will be needed.