How to Clean Up Holiday Messes: Carpet, Furniture & Fireplace

The holiday was wonderful. The house was filled with laughter, twinkling lights, the scent of fresh pine, and the warm feeling that can only be experienced when sharing a moment with loved ones. However, now that the guests are gone and the storage boxes are out, it's time for some cleaning. And that's where it comes, the so-called "holiday hangover".

This less-than-magical side of the season may (rightfully) cause some anxiety, but if you are wondering how to face it, don't worry. As a restoration and cleaning company with over a decade of experience, we are here to offer you some tips on how to manage the post-holiday cleanup.

In this article, you will learn exactly how to remove the three most common post-holiday messes: pine sap, candle wax, and fireplace soot, without damaging your floors, walls, or furniture. We will walk through step-by-step cleaning techniques for each type of stain and explain when it’s time to call a professional for deeper restoration.

How to Remove Pine Sap from Carpet and Hardwood

Having a real tree in your living room as a Christmas decoration sounds great until you remember you have to deal with pine sap afterwards. This sticky sap is more complicated to deal with than most people think, especially if it spreads onto your carpet. Let’s take a look at the strategies to deal with this unwanted mess.

How to Get Pine Sap Off Your Carpet

1. Freeze the Sap: The trick to removing sap is first to harden it. Fill a plastic bag with ice cubes or grab an ice pack. Place it directly on top of the sap. Hold it there for several minutes until the sap is completely hard and brittle.
2. Scrape the Excess: Once it's hardened, use a dull butter knife or the edge of a spoon to gently scrape away as much of the hardened sap as possible. It should fracture and break off. Vacuum up the broken bits.
3. Dissolve the Residue: Now, it’s time to deal with the sticky residue left behind. Rubbing alcohol is your best tool here. Dampen a clean, white cloth with the alcohol. Be sure to test it in a small area first to ensure you are not causing discoloration.
4. Blot, Don't Rub: Press the cloth onto the sap stain. You want the alcohol to break down the sap and transfer it to the cloth. Keep blotting with clean sections of the cloth until the stain is gone.
5. Clean the Spot: Once the stickiness is gone, you can clean any remaining residue. A good solution is to mix one teaspoon of a clear dish soap with a cup of warm water. Blot the area with the solution, and then dry it with a clean, dry towel.

How to Get Sap Off Hardwood Floors

The process is similar, but you have to take extra care to protect your floor’s finish.

1. Freeze and Scrape (Gently): Use the ice method to harden the sap. Instead of a metal knife, try using a plastic scraper or an old credit card to gently "pop" the hardened sap off the surface, avoiding any scratches.
2. Test Before Applying a Solvent: Dampen a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits. Choose an inconspicuous spot (like inside a closet or under a large sofa) so you are sure you are not going to damage your floor’s finish.
3. Use the Solvent on the Sap: After testing, apply the solvent directly to the area.
4. Wipe the Area: Gently wipe at the sap residue. Once the sap is gone, clean the area with a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap and warm water solution.
5. Dry Immediately: Use a dry cloth to immediately and thoroughly dry the area. Never leave water or cleaners to sit on a hardwood floor.

How to Remove Candle Wax from Carpet and Furniture

Festive candles are great for creating ambiance and setting the perfect mood. However, they also leave behind wax, which can get into your carpet or your furniture. Let's take a look at how to clean them without damaging your surfaces.

How to Get Candle Wax Out of Your Carpet

1. Let It Harden: This step is very similar to how you remove sap. First, if the wax is still soft, use an ice pack to freeze it solid.
2. Scrape the Excess (Gently): Use a dull butter knife to scrape off as much of the hardened wax as possible. Try not to pull the carpet fibers.
3. Prepare the Heat Transfer: Grab a clean, white cotton towel (an old dishrag works well) or a brown paper bag. Place it over the remaining wax stain. Some recommend using a damp towel, which helps create steam and protects carpet fibers.
4. Apply Warm Heat: Set your iron to a low, "warm" setting (no steam). Press the warm iron onto the towel for about 10 seconds. The heat will melt the wax, and the towel or bag will absorb it.
5. Repeat and Move: Lift the iron and the towel. You will see the wax has soaked into it. Move a clean section of the towel over the spot and repeat the process. Continue this until no more wax is transferred to the towel.

What if the Wax Was Colored?

This heat method will remove the wax, but a dye (especially red) can leave a stain behind. After all the wax is gone, treat the remaining color stain with a carpet-safe cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also try with a solvent such as alcohol or a mix of dish soap and water. Make sure to blot, not to rub.

How to Clean Candle Wax Off Wood Furniture

You want to avoid heat or metal scrapers here, as they can ruin the wood's finish.

1. Harden the Wax: Use an ice pack to harden the wax as much as possible.
2. Scrape Gently: Use a plastic scraper, the edge of a credit card, or even your fingernail. Try to "flick" the wax off the surface without scratching the wood itself.
3. Remove the Oily Residue: Even after the wax is removed, an oily film may still be present. Mix a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water. Dampen a soft cloth in the solution, and gently wipe the area to remove the residue. Dry immediately.

How to Clean Fireplace Soot

The Christmas season can get really cold here in South Arkansas, which means your fireplace would work overtime. Now that everyone is gone, it's time to take a look at your chimney. If your brick or the painted wall above it looks dingy, it’s likely due to soot. The number one mistake people make is using water on it first. Do not do this!

Soot is oily, acidic, and incredibly fine. Water will not only NOT clean it, but it will make it worse, turning it into a gray, smeared mess.

How to Clean Soot Off Painted Walls

1. Start Dry: The first and most important step is dry removal. Begin by using your vacuum's hose attachment (a soft brush is okay, but suction alone is safer) to lift away the loose soot. Don't press it into the wall; let the suction do the work.
2. Use a Dry Cleaning Sponge: You can get a "dry cleaning sponge" at any hardware or paint store. They are also known as a "soot sponge" or a "chemical sponge." These are made of vulcanized natural rubber and are specifically designed to capture and lift fine particulates, such as soot, without the need for water.
3. Wipe Correctly: Start from the top of the wall and work your way down, then wipe the sponge across the wall in straight, parallel strokes. Do not scrub in circles. As the sponge becomes loaded with soot, use the dull part of the knife to slice off the dirty layer or refold it to the clean side.
4. Clean (Now) with a Solvent (If Needed): Only after all the dry soot is gone can you begin to address any remaining light stains. Gently wipe the area with a soft cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol or paint thinner. Remember to test first in a hidden spot to make sure you are not causing discoloration.

How to Clean Soot Off Brick

Brick is both porous and tough, allowing it to withstand a much more aggressive approach.

1. Vacuum First: Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove all loose ash and soot from the brick surface.
2. Choose Your Cleaner: This time, you can use a wet solution. A scrub brush and a strong cleaner are needed. Good options include:
   • A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water.
   • A paste of dish soap and table salt.
   • For very tough stains, use a solution of Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) and water. TSP is a powerful substance, so wear gloves and goggles to protect yourself.
3. Scrub: Dip a stiff (not-metal) scrub brush into your cleaning solution and scrub the brick in a circular motion.
4. Rinse: Use a clean sponge and a bucket of water to rinse the brick, wiping away all the cleaning solution and loosened grime.
   

When it's Time to Call in the Pros

These DIY methods are great for small, manageable spots. But let's be honest, sometimes some messes are too big, too stubborn, or too risky to handle on your own. Here are the signs it's time to call professional help for cleaning your place:

• The sap or wax stain is huge or on a valuable, delicate, or heirloom rug.
• The soot isn't just from a cozy fire, but from a furnace "puffback" or malfunction, which can send oily soot throughout your entire home.
• The smoke smell from the fireplace has soaked into your furniture, drapes, and carpets.
• You tried fixing the problem, but accidentally made the stain worse.
• You are simply tired from the holidays and want the peace of mind that comes from having it done right.

Your time is valuable. Instead of spending it scrubbing and worrying, you can let professionals handle the holiday hangover.

Looking for a Partner in Cleaning? Call Restore-It!

At the end of the holiday season, we have all faced a common challenge: removing stubborn seasonal messes without damaging the surfaces we love. Whether it's pine sap embedded in carpet, wax dripped on your table, or soot staining your walls, the risk of permanent damage is real.

Now that you've learned how to safely and effectively remove these common post-holiday stains, it's time to ask: Are you ready to get your home back to normal?

If you have shown one of the signs we talked about above, it's time to look for professional cleaners. And wouldn't you know? Restore-It is the local expert in carpet and rug cleaning, odor removal, and more! Schedule your cleanup now with Restore-It and start the new year with a fresh, clean space you are proud of.