Easter Eggs are fun but dying them requires using coloring that is known to stain. What can you do so you don't have pastel-colored polka dots all over your home for a month?
Easter egg decorating is a cherished ancient tradition that harkens back to the early days of Christianity. But those vibrant colors have a nasty habit of clinging to everything around the eggs as well. Fret not, you dedicated little egg artisans! Here are some tips to banish those stubborn stains and save your home from resembling a rainbow gone rogue.
How To Remove Easter Egg Dye From Skin:
Move quickly to the sink and clean your mitts with soap and water. Go gentle to avoid irritating your little piggies. Still have some pastel on your pinky? Use a baking soda and white vinegar slurry to add a little grit to the process. Another alternative is lemon juice since the acidity can help lift errant hues from your paws.
How To Remove Easter Egg Dye From Countertops and Tables:
Soak up the dye liquid before it gets a chance to absorb into the surface. Next, add several drops of a mild liquid soap to a bowl of warm water. Dab (don't scrub) at stains with the soap solution on your work area, working from the outside in to contain the stain. Once that is done, go at it with a scrub brush or scrubby sponge for deeper penetration. Dye can take a second to disappear, so be patient. Rinse the area with water and dry to remove what's left. Repeat if necessary.
How To Remove Easter Egg Dye From Apparel:
Act fast. Gently blot the stain with a dry cloth or towel. Rinse with cold water. Check the label for any warnings and/or best practices regarding the garment. If all seems fine, spray with an enzymatic stain remover. We like OxyClean MaxForce. Submerse the item completely in a pail of water and white vinegar for 20-30 minutes. Launder the garment as you would normally, but then let air dry. We don't want the dryer baking in any residual dye. If there is still some shmutz on your shmatta, repeat the process, remembering to be gentle at every step.
How To Remove Easter Egg Dye From Rugs:
Again speed is key. The longer you wait, the longer the colors absorb. Blot up the blemish with a clean dry rag. Mix white vinegar with water and gently work it into the affected area. Again a good enzymatic cleaner is a great next step. Spray, dab, and dry with a clean towel. You may have to do this a few times depending on the type of carpet you have.
Stains Happen-if you want to avoid all this from the beginning, rubber gloves and drop cloths are the way to go, but if those don't enter the equation, don't freak out. It's a stain, not the end of the world. Use these tips to get them out, and remember that patience and repetition are part of the process. Now go forth and Salvator Dali-up those eggs, peeps.
