Carving pumpkins is a fun fall tradition, but it is incredibly messy too, leaving stains on your clothes, flooring, and countertops. The bright orange juice can quickly sink into fabrics and surfaces, making cleaning up a challenge.
So how do you clean up pumpkin stains? Professional cleaners suggest that time is of the essence but the affected surface can drastically change your approach.
Here, we’ll guide you through the best cleaning tips for removing pumpkin stains around your home.
How to clean up pumpkin stains
The first golden rule of stain removal is to work quickly with the right products to ensure the best results.
You will need:
- White vinegar, at Walmart
- Baking soda, such as Arm & Hammer from Walmart
- Dawn Dish Soap, available at Walmart
- An enzyme-based cleaner. Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Stain & Odor Eliminator at Amazon is highly rated by shoppers
- A stain-fighting laundry detergent, such as Tide Free & Gentle Detergent from Walmart
- Warm water
- Microfiber cleaning cloths, available at Walmart
1. Use vinegar and baking soda for wooden surfaces
If pumpkin juices have stained your hard floors or work surfaces, cleaning with vinegar and cleaning with baking soda is your best bet, Marla Mock, cleaning expert and president at Molly Maid USA begins:
‘Add baking soda into a mixing bowl (there are no specific measurements for this – the amount will depend on the size of the area you need to clean). Then, slowly pour in the distilled white vinegar bit by bit and mix it with the baking soda until a thick, spreadable paste is formed.’ The larger the stained area, the more baking soda and vinegar you will need.
You can then liberally apply the paste to the stained area and allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes before buffing it with a microfiber cloth and wiping it away. Remember to clean the area with warm water and dish soap to remove any vinegar smell or baking soda residue.
2. Use dish soap and water for stone
A more gentle approach is needed when cleaning granite countertops, cleaning marble countertops, or tackling stains when cleaning stone floors. The best and safest option is to clean the area with warm water and some gentle dish soap, such as cleaning with Dawn Powerwash.
Dampen your microfiber cloth and wring out excess moisture before spraying the stained area with a small amount of soap and buffing the stain until it lifts away. Finish by rinsing the area and drying thoroughly to remove watermarks.
3. Rely on an enzyme-based cleaner for upholstery and carpets
Removing pumpkin stains from upholstery and cleaning carpets requires fast action and a gentle hand. For the best chance are breaking down the bright orange marks, opt for an enzyme-based cleaner
Matt O’Connor, laundry pro and founder of NoScrubs.io explains, ‘These break down protein-based stains like blood, sweat, and food. Look for cleaners with protease enzymes and pre-treat stains before washing.’
To clean upholstery and carpets, follow the instructions on the enzyme cleaner you are using. Usually, you want to remove any excess pumpkin pulp from the stain by scraping it gently with a dull knife before spraying the affected area. You can then blot the stain with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to lift the stain away. Finish by dabbing the area with a cloth dampened with plain water to remove residue and allow the area to dry.
4. Wash clothing with a stain treatment
Pumpkin stains are easiest to remove from clothing, but only if you act fast and use the right products, says Trish Duarte, franchise owner of MaidPro Temecula and Murrieta.
‘I recently discovered a product with a funny name that I believe is a game changer for many stain-prone households. It’s called Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain Treater, available at Amazon. It is a mouthful but easily gobbles up food stains before your very eyes. Rinse the stain with cold water before spraying with Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain Treater. Then, launder as usual.’
You can also use a liquid laundry detergent formulated especially for tackling harsh stains, such as Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent. Simply dilute the detergent with equal parts water, apply it to the stain, and allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes before doing laundry as normal with a capful of the detergent.
‘My best laundry tip for removing stains is to have patience,’ Trish continues. ‘It can be disheartening if the stain doesn’t lift after one treatment because most of the advice you read makes it sound so quick and easy. What I have learned is that it’s likely to take multiple rounds.'
A common cleaning mistake is forgetting to spot-test a cleaning method before committing to the process. You should always test your approach on an inconspicuous area first. For floors, this could be a corner in the back of a closet. For clothes, this could be a small area on the inside of a hem. For upholstery, the back of a piece at the bottom is a good hiding spot. This will ensure that your cleaning method is not going to do more harm than good and make stains more noticeable.
