Welcome to the Clean My Space community! I’m back with more tips for cleaning up during the holiday season. If you’ve not already done so, look at my 2021 Holiday Gift Guide and ten areas you’re not paying attention to during your holiday cleaning.
If you’re getting ready to celebrate Hanukkah next weekend, you’ll need to know how to remove candle wax from the floor, clean the inside of a menorah, get rid of chocolate stains, and remove oil stains from clothing! Fortunately, I have a lifetime of Hanukkah cleaning experiences to refer back to. So, keep reading!
How to Clean A Menorah
Did you get out your menorah only to find that you had tossed it into the cabinet last year and could not get any wax build-up out? I’m sure I did. Luckily the menorah’s wax is simple to control.
Fill your sink with hot soap and water, then allow your menorah to soak for at least 15 minutes. Fortunately, wax melts for us all, and it should break down and come out quickly after a warm bath. Be cautious not to scratch your menorah using the help of a knife or any other metal tool because it could cause irreparable damage.
For menorahs made from brass (unpainted), use polishing your metal to ensure it looks and feels its very top. Remove the wax naturally. If you’re using the menorah of silver, you should utilize soft cloths, such as microfiber. Silver is highly easily damaged and can be scraped.
If you own an ornament made of glass, one of the best ways to control wax build-up is to use just a small amount of non-stick spray. Apply a tiny non-stick spray once you’ve washed and dried the menorah. It can be used on other materials, too. However, you must conduct your research before using sprays with non-stick properties on any precious metal.
How to Clean Candle Wax Off Wood
Wax splatters happen during Hanukkah as well as off and on your menorah. If you’re confronted with the hardened traces of wax that have accumulated on your table, don’t fret. It shouldn’t be a problem to deal with.
It is tempting to begin wiping the off the wax as soon as you spot it. Kids will surely be eager to join in this activity. However, soft wax could make the mess even more and will spread across your table.
Let the wax cool before beginning cleaning. Use an object made of plastic, such as a credit card or any other plastic tool, to scrape away the wax. Avoid using metal, as it could permanently scratch the wood. Keep your patience and be patient to avoid causing damage. I’ve spent over an hour with an old credit card and gently scraped every speck of wax off an old wooden table.
If you’re faced with a huge mess or are concerned it’ll be challenging to clean up, try the scrape and freeze method. Set the bag of ice over the wax mess, and then let it wait until the wax is frozen. This causes the resin to become more brittle and easy to scrape away. After that, you can insert your plastic tool.
How to Remove Chocolate Stains
I’m sure I can say that kids and adults alike enjoy the Hanukkah gelt! I’m sure I’ve made the entire bag of gelt to prepare for Hanukkah dinner. Please don’t get me involved in how much food the kids eat.
Inevitably, chocolate plus children equal stains. Let’s discuss how to clean up chocolate stains once they occur. If you notice the color, you can use a credit card, butter knife, or other flat edge to scrape away as much chocolate as possible.
After you’ve removed the chocolate, you can treat the stain using dish soap or detergent for laundry and allow it to dry for approximately 10 minutes. After that, throw it into the wash on an air-conditioned cycle.
If the stain that caused it persists after washing, it’s time to remove the ample guns. Mix two portions of hydrogen peroxide and one portion of dish soap. Clean the stain and allow it to sit for around an hour. Wash it off once more. Continue until the stain has disappeared.
How to Get Oil Stains Out of Clothes
I usually put on an apron every time it’s time for latkes to be cooked. However, oil stains can occur. The problem is that oil stains are among the most challenging to remove. However, with some perseverance, they’ll be gone in up to eight nights (insert eyes at the sour Hanukkah comedy here).
First, soak the clothing with hot water to remove the oil stain. As hot as you can while not damaging your fabric. Then, you can treat the color using a stain remover. As is my usual practice, I prefer to mix the ratio of two portions of hydrogen peroxide for one part of dish soap. However, you could also use a commercial stain remover. Allow this to sit for at least one hour.
After the hour, clean the garment like you usually do. Because the oil stains remain, You may need to repeat this process several times.
Hanukkah Party Cleaning
Hanukkah is among the most enjoyable Jewish holiday celebrations. Handling the typical Hanukkah mess is an excellent way to make it fun and free of stress. Now you can relax and enjoy your latkes, jelly donuts, gelt, and menorahs without worrying about the mess.