How to Clean Up Halloween Pranks: Toilet Papering, Eggs, Shaving Cream and Silly String

Halloween is a fun day filled with yummy treats and cute costumed children. But not long after the doorbell stops ringing the Halloween pranks begin. What should you do if you wake up to find your yard filled with toilet papered trees? Or what if your beloved car is covered with egg, shaving cream or Silly String? Here are some tips to quickly clean up these ugly messes before they cause more damage to your property.

Egg on your car or house

Egg messes need to be cleaned up as soon as possible. Eggs can corrode painted surfaces within hours, especially in warmer temperatures. First carefully pick off the egg shells. Never rub a rag over the shells because you may end up scratching the paint of your car. Next hose off as much of the egg as possible. For stubborn stuck-on egg, soak a towel in a 50/50 solution of warm water and white vinegar. Leave the saturated towel on the stuck-on egg for 15-20 minutes. Remove the towel and wipe down the area with a soft rag. Another trick is to use Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion. Apply lotion to your fingers and gently rub the lotion onto the stuck-on egg until it dissolves.

If your house or mailbox is egged, use a pressure-washer to clean off the egg. If the egg is dried onto the siding, mix a teaspoon of enzyme-based detergent (most regular detergents are enzyme-based) in a cup of warm water. Apply the soapy mixture with a soft brush and gently scrub until the stuck-on egg dissolves. Be careful not to rub shells into the siding. Rinse the area off well.

Toilet-Papered Trees (or TPing)

The trick to cleaning up toilet paper is to do so before it rains. It will be nearly impossible to clean up if the toilet paper gets soggy. You will need a garbage bag, ladder, yard stick or broom handle, and duct tape. Start at the top and work your way down. Wrap duct tape - sticky side out - around the end of a yard stick or broom handle. The person on the ladder should pull the strands down while the person on the ground grabs the toilet paper and puts it into the garbage bag.

Shaving Cream on cars

Many people don't realize that shaving cream can leave permanent marks on cars. It's very important to clean up the mess as soon as you discover it. Never let it bake in the sun all day. Use a hose to rinse the shaving cream off of your car. Use a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining bits of shaving cream. Next, take your car to a professional car wash to ensure all of the shaving cream has been removed.

Silly String on cars

Aerosol string can be very damaging to the paint on cars. The string hardens and adheres to the painted surface. Never use your finger nail to pick off the string because your car's paint may come off with the dried-on string. First hose off as much of the string as possible. Then use something soft like a cotton ball or cotton swab to lift off any remaining string.

Soaped-up Car Windows

While it may be irritating to find your windows covered in a soapy mixture, at least this prank will not cause permanent damage. Just rinse off the windows with a hose and a soft brush.

Source:

"Ask Heloise," Good Housekeeping magazine: October 2007